InVita Implant & Explant Lifecycle Management Division’s Post

Interesting Becker's article that highlights why organizations lean on Medicus for help filling the expanding gaps in provider schedules. Anesthesia reimbursements are facing sharp declines, the provider pool is shrinking and demand is growing. Anesthesiologists are facing rising levels of burnout, while an influx of private equity interest is affecting the industry (leading to higher patient costs and lower care quality).

I appreciate the comprehensive analysis provided in this article regarding the challenges in determining fair compensation packages for anesthesia providers. It's evident that navigating these challenges is crucial not only for recruiting and retaining skilled anesthesiologists but also for the broader implications on healthcare efficiency and patient satisfaction. The point about tailoring recruitment and retention strategies to the local market is particularly pertinent. It is essential for healthcare institutions to understand that employing highly qualified anesthesiologists can significantly reduce perioperative complications, optimize resource utilization, and enhance patient satisfaction. These factors undeniably contribute to more effective cost management and improved revenue for healthcare businesses. This article from Coronis Health does an excellent job of highlighting the intricate balance between compensation, workload, and benefits, which are critical to making an anesthesia practice appealing to top-tier providers. These insights are vital for shaping strategies that not only attract but also maintain the best in the field, ensuring high standards of care and operational excellence. #Anesthesia #Compensation #Healthcare

Many hospitals and healthcare systems are exploring transitions to an employed anesthesia services model to tackle workforce shortages, reduce labor costs, and manage other challenges. Anesthesia Employment Models for Hospitals and Healthcare Systems delineates essential strategies for a successful transition. #Healthcare #Anesthesia #EmploymentModels https://lnkd.in/gDnwAS_H

📉 The anesthesia industry faces shrinking reimbursements & new complexities from the No Surprises Act. Learn how providers can navigate these challenges with strategic planning, operational efficiency, and robust partnerships. Read more: https://hubs.la/Q02Ft7VP0 #Anesthesia #Healthcare #NoSurprisesAct #Reimbursement #AnesthesiaProviders #IDR #IndependentDisputeResolution #OutofNetworkReimbursement #HaloMD

Week 11 OTJ inpatient training recap This was my second week working with gastrointestinal (GI) and neoplasm charts. I had several charts that really made me think hard and research, and I also got to code more procedures this week. PCS coding remains my favorite so I'm always happy when I get to use it. Week 11, March 11-15, 2024 Focus: Neoplasms/Gastrointestinal (GI) Accomplishments/Totals ☑ worked on 27 total charts ☑ sent 4 charts to CDI for validation ☑ held 1 chart for missing documentation ☑ sent 24 charts to billing Two week totals for this focus: ☑ worked on 30 total charts ☑ sent 5 charts to CDI for validation ☑ held 1 chart for missing documentation ☑ sent 27 charts to billing Some of the neoplasms charts were very challenging with multiple metastatic sites and some ambiguous wording. I coded those to the best of my ability and then waited for my corrections. I was pleasantly surprised to receive fewer corrections than I had feared. My favorite part of the week was coding many procedures I had not previously encountered on the job. ⭐ EGD with biopsy - This is a diagnostic excision via natural/artificial opening, endoscopic. ⭐ ERCP with stone/sludge removal from bile duct using balloon sweep - I had to break this one down into the various steps and assess the purpose of each one. I ruled out coding the inspection since that was not really a separate procedure but was a necessary step to get to the real objective: removing the sludge and stones. I couldn't decide if the balloon sweep would be coded as a dilation like a balloon used in heart catheterization or if it was just a necessary step to achieve the stone removal. I consulted the Chisen Handbook and researched many other places but found nothing relevant. I convinced myself the objective of the sweep was to dilate the bile duct and coded accordingly. I also coded the extirpation of the stone/sludge. My trainer let me know the balloon sweep was just a step toward the real objective so I removed that code before sending to billing and now know how to code that correctly in the future. ⭐ Another challenging one was a laparoscopic procedure that was converted to an open procedure. My PCS codes were correct - laparoscopic inspection and open procedure, but I forgot about the Z code for a procedure that starts as laparoscopic and ends as open. I won't forget that in the future, either. ⭐ I missed coding a peritoneal dialysis session because I knew to look for the session in the Peritoneal Dialysis flowchart in Epic but did not know you could change the flowchart date to view different days of the admission. 🤦♀️ I know now. 😂 ⭐ Additional procedures coded included: - colonscopy with polyp removal, not specified as a biopsy - endoscopy with biopsy - laparoscopic cholecystectomy - small bowel excision with extensive lysis of adhesions - laparoscopic right hemicolectomy - colonoscopy to control bleeding using clips - EGD and colonoscopy on same day

The development below is not getting the attention I think it should and is definitely something hospitals nationwide need to re-examine when staffing considering anesthesia staffing. If you have any questions, especially related to the CMS Conditions of Participation and Conditions of Payment, please reach out! #physicans #compliance #healthcare #anesthesia On JD Supra:

SB as in Senate Bill. Many moons ago anesthesia models worked in ASC as a self-sustained service. Historically ASCs had great payer mix with excellent support of cash cases. Those were the good times. A quick survey of my colleagues showed that anesthesia coverage is #1 priority of ASC administrators. - because there is a shortage - because private equity entered the market - because current staffing model is outdated and not based on data These factors are threatening patient access to medical care. And we have a bill that offers a solution – SB 3653. https://lnkd.in/gXf4wnW4 We need CRNAs to be able to practice independently in IL Ambulatory Surgery Centers CRNAs can do it safely CRNAs don’t need collaborative agreements CRNAs are the ASCs of our healthcare system – enhancing access and decreasing cost CRNAs were sent from the future to correct anesthesia market and bring  back good old times These regulations were put in place by the Medical Practice Act of 1987 when you were able to smoke cigars on the airplane. That is not safe, so you can’t smoke cigars on the airplane anymore But... CRNAs are safe. And we need safe high quality anesthesia services. That CRNAs can provide. Let’s pass SB 3653, Don Harmon Call you IL State Senator. Advocate for nurses, advocate for patients. 

Negotiating a Fair Market Value Anesthesia Stipend Over 90% of all anesthesia providers receive financial support from Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Centers where they provide coverage. Anesthesia groups are challenged to remain financially viable. Physician, CRNA, and AA salaries are increasing due to a shortage of anesthesia providers, while reimbursement from Medicare and other payors is declining.   The negotiation of an anesthesia stipend is critical to the success of both the facility and anesthesia group. In working with hundreds of groups, we have found the following seven step process to be beneficial. 1.     Define anesthesia service needs  a.     What are the number of ORs running by time of day and day of week? b.     What are the number of out of OR / NORA locations running by time of day and day of week? c.     What are the daily call requirements? 2.     Define the number of anesthesia providers required to meet the service needs  a.     How many Physicians, CRNAs, AA and residents are required on a daily basis? b.     How many FTEs are required to cover PTO? 3.     Define Opportunities to reduce the service needs a.     Can block time be improved? b.     Can flip room allocations be tightened? 4.     Define the cost of anesthesia coverage a.     What is the appropriate compensation benchmark for physicians, CRNAs and AAs? b.     What is the appropriate overhead? 5.     Determine the current anesthesia collections by payor  a.     What is the current and projected reimbursement rate by payor? 6.     Determine the opportunity to improve collections  a.     Can current contracts rates be improved? b.     Is there an opportunity to improve the net collection ratio? 7.     Define the difference between current collections and costs  a.     Define the difference between optimal collections and optimal costs Typically, a portion of the stipend is provided in fixed monthly payments and a portion based on meeting performance expectations. The stipend determination process provides a vehicle for the anesthesia group and Hospital or ASC to have productive discussions on how to improve perioperative efficiency and create a positive culture to recruit and retain anesthesia providers. To learn more, go to https://lnkd.in/exNfPumJ

Mergers are booming, but are anesthesia groups prepared to thrive in this new landscape? Learn more in Coronis Health's recent blog post. #Healthcare #Hospitals #Anesthesia

Mergers are booming, but are anesthesia groups prepared to thrive in this new landscape? Learn more in Coronis Health's recent blog post. #Healthcare #Hospitals #Anesthesia