Summary: 2020 was a very exceptional year. The coronavirus had a profound impact on the U.S. economy, American medicine and the specialty of anesthesia. While case volumes have recovered for most clients, the implications of the canceling of elective cases in March proved to be one of the ultimate practice management challenges. A careful review o...

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 ...

Summary: The anesthesia community is anxiously awaiting some word on Medicare payment rates for 2021, and providers are wondering how the second wave of COVID will affect their overall income in the coming year. Despite all this uncertainty, there remains reason for hope.There is nothing more unsettling than not knowing. That is especially true whe...

Summary:  It's back to the chalkboard as we continue our review of the teaching rules for anesthesia providers. In today's article, we will focus primarily on case configuration, payment issues and documentation requirements. So, open up your notebooks and have your pencils at the ready! Two weeks ago, we presented the first in a two-part ser...

Summary: The requirements for participation and billing in the teaching setting are somewhat complex and often misunderstood. Many are uncertain about what they are allowed to do and to bill. In this two-part series, we hope to provide greater compliance insight to those working with residents and student nurses.In contradistinction to the Bri...