Summary:  There are several new rules for 2021 that either directly or peripherally involve the practice of anesthesia or interventional pain. This article lists some of the provisions found in the 2021 Medicare PFS Final Rule that will be of interest to many of our readers. In previous weeks, we have attempted to summarize for you some of th...

Summary: There is often a cause-and-effect relationship between higher utilization and lower reimbursement within the healthcare sector. This relationship is coming into sharp focus with the surge of seniors now entering the Medicare program.Baby boomers are increasingly entering the rolls of Medicare. While many of them lead healthy and activ...

Summary: The recent passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act provides a modicum of consolation for providers who had been preparing for major cuts in Medicare reimbursement. While the legislation does not reverse these cuts, they have been significantly pared down to a more manageable level. Over the last several months, the American pe...

Summary: Telehealth will continue to be a viable option for many providers and patients; but how applicable will these services be to the practice of anesthesia and chronic pain?During the course of this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) produced a number of rule changes concerning the utilization of telehealth servi...

Summary:  The initial information coming out of the massive 2021 PFS Final Rule provides little to celebrate for anesthesia providers. From a financial standpoint, the Final Rule has dealt the anesthesia specialty a stinging blow.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final ...