Anesthesia providers are facing the real possibility of a reduction in reimbursement for acute pain services in the coming year. However, the end of the story has yet to be written.As a follow-up to our recent articles on the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for 2020 and our trend analysis of acute pain services, we would like to pro...

Summary The recently released Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2020 contains several revisions to the E/M and QPP (MIPS) requirements, but little will change for the average anesthesia practice—except in the area of acute pain.In the final days of July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a preview of its prop...

The surprise medical bill issue is of significant importance to ABC and our clients. Since the potential outcome of any federal action would impact all of us, I asked for an update on the issue from the ASA. Below is ASA President Linda Mason's response.With best wishes,Tony MiraPresident and CEODear Colleagues,The anesthesiology community should b...

Summary Proposed Legislation May Bring an Unwanted Surprise to Anesthesia Groups Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! That famous line routinely delivered by a beloved actor from a 60s sitcom is resounding once again—this time in the halls of government. A few months ago, we informed you of a serious effort on Capitol Hill to craft legislation that would...

The past month has seen a burst of developments on the healthcare legislative and judicial fronts with potential to impact anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists as well as all clinicians and institutions.The House Democrats last week introduced comprehensive legislation to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with an emphasis on protecting ...