SUMMARY Anesthesiology is in the midst of a 'Blockbuster-Netflix moment,' according to Daniel Cole, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. By focusing on innovation and opportunities for system performance improvement, and with insight into their own leadership styles, anesthesiology leaders can help the professi...
On October 1, 2015, a major change to diagnosis coding was rolled out with the International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems 10th revision (ICD-10), and virtually all payers (except workers compensation and auto carriers) have agreed to implement the new codes. There was serious concern that the complexity of the new code seq...
SUMMARY Although our experience tells us that anesthesiologists and anesthesia groups are less likely than other specialty groups to become hospital employees, it's important to know what you could be facing should you find yourself in the situation of needing to negotiate an employment agreement. We highlight some of the takeaways from a presentat...
The concept of automating the anesthesia record has intrigued academicians for decades. Some of the early versions of software packages for computer-based record keeping were quite complete and impressive despite the technology's limitations during the 1980s and 1990s. A number of companies made significant investments in the various software optio...
SUMMARY The Drug Enforcement Agency and other agencies are scrutinizing hospitals and healthcare facilities more closely for failure to implement and maintain appropriate drug diversion prevention policies, procedures and programs, and they are holding organizations as well as individuals responsible. As professionals who manage and administer a la...
Maurice Madore, MBA, CPC Chief Client Officer, Anesthesia Business Consultants, Jackson, MIWhen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, it set into motion a series of intended and unintended actions and consequences that, after several years, can now be reviewed and interpreted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Pr...
SUMMARY Downward pressure on payment to endoscopists based on the 2017 Physician Fee Schedule final rule continues to raise questions about the viability of the symbiotic relationship between anesthesia providers and endoscopists. At the same time, though colonoscopy is still considered the gold standard, less invasive techniques for colorectal can...
Mark F. Weiss, JD The Mark F. Weiss Law Firm, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CAQuick! Who's the president of Switzerland?Anesthesia group leaders seeking to create a larger structure out of existing groups, from an alliance among local groups, to business models for exclusive contracting, to the creation of a true regional or national p...
SUMMARY Anesthesiologists are exploring new opportunities to demonstrate value to their hospitals, both inside and outside of the operating room. Leadership of the intensive care unit provides an option that some practices might want to consider. Critical care medicine is, in many ways, a logical extension of anesthesia practice and can also provid...
Will Latham, MBA President, Latham Consulting Group, Inc., Chattanooga, TNIn the previous issue of The Communiqué ("Hope Is Not a Strategy: A Primer for Anesthesia Groups on Strategic Planning," Fall 2016) we described the need for strategic planning and described the overall process. This process includes: Developing mission and vision statements ...
SUMMARY A recent claims analysis by the Office of Inspector General has revealed "vulnerabilities" in the Two-Midnight rule, a policy implemented in 2013 to contain healthcare costs, improve the accuracy with which physicians characterize inpatient and outpatient hospital stays, and reduce the number of long outpatient stays. Among other things, th...
You have heard of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and, most likely, its Quality Payment Program (QPP). But do you really know what it is? Do you know what it means to your practice? Do you know what your practice will need to do to thrive under the QPP? If you haven't already, you'll need to develop a firm understan...
SUMMARY Nitrous oxide for the management of labor pain is experiencing a rebirth in labor and delivery suites across the United States. Still, despite the increased interest, debate regarding nitrous oxide's advantages, as well as its potential adverse effects on women, newborns and healthcare workers, is ongoing. We present evidence from the Socie...
One of the most important responsibilities of any anesthesia group's governance is to develop a strategic plan for the group. For some groups this is the role of the Board. In other groups, all shareholders participate in this process.Unfortunately, it appears that for many groups, "hope" is their strategy.We are continually surprised to find group...
SUMMARY Medical marijuana has become legal in 28 states and Washington, D.C., and yet the Drug Enforcement Administration continues to classify botanical marijuana as a Schedule I drug with "no accepted medical use in treatment." This classification has limited access to the drug for research purposes. For this and other reasons, the use of medical...
Payers, patients and partners are demanding better outcomes, and evolving healthcare paradigms are begging for greater anesthesia engagement. If you have been following this series, then you already know that the perioperative surgical home (PSH) is the answer to the call and the future of our specialty. What you may not know is how easy it can be ...
SUMMARY We highlight changes to the 2017 CPT® Standard Codebook that are of special interest to anesthesia and chronic pain practitioners. We encourage you to review these changes carefully and contact your ABC Vice President or Director with any questions. As part of our continuing efforts to keep you informed of developments that could have an im...
Amanda K. Jester, JDWaller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, Austin, TXAshleigh VanLandingham, JDWaller Lansden Dortsch & Davis, LLP, Nashville, TNOn May 5, 2016, the White House issued a report citing a variety of issues with the use of non-compete agreements advocating for non-compete reform at the state and federal level.1 According to the Wh...
SUMMARY What you need to know about language services and the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA and public health activities, recycling in the OR, the FTC Act and Medicare's Social Security number removal initiative. We start the new year with warm wishes and a compilation of updates and practical information gathered from some of our most reliable source...
Over the past five years, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been more aggressive about identifying organizations that fail to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its impending regulations. Historically, OCR has taken a reactive approach to noncompliance t...