Last week, we sent out a special alert advising our readers of a change in Aetna’s payment policy in connection with physical status (PS) modifiers on anesthesia claims. The payer announced it would no longer provide additional payment for PS 3-5, effective July 15 of this year. Not to be outdone, several of the “Blues” […]
We’ve come a long way since the days when the milkman would make his deliveries at the door and the doctor would make house calls, black bag in hand. Now, we order our goods online and we can even see our healthcare professional via the latest telecommunications technology. Americans love convenience, and it is certainly […]
According to an April bulletin published by Aetna, the payer will no longer reimburse additional unit value(s) for anesthesia physical status (PS) modifiers, effective July 15, 2024. Aetna gave as a reason for the decision its desire to align with similar Medicare guidelines. It should be noted that this change will only affect Aetna’s commercial […]
There is clearly a shortage of anesthesia providers in the country today. This a a result of a variety of factors including the pandemic, dramatic increases in the number of anesthetizing locations and provider lifestyle choices. According to various sources, by 2033, the anesthesiology workforce may experience a shortage of approximately 12,500 anesthesiologists, representing nearly […]
It was one of those end-of-an-era moments. Standing in the well of the House, before a joint session of Congress, was the “American Caesar,” General Douglas McArthur, bidding farewell to the nation after 52 years of service. First in his class at West Point, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor and Military Governor of […]
In this era of mergers and aggregation, anesthesia practices nationwide are contemplating their futures, and many are struggling with the notion that only mega-practices survive. Is it possible to maintain a focused niche practice that only provides services to one facility or a narrowly defined market or are such practices dinosaurs doomed to fail or […]
Last week, we sent out a special alert, which included news that the U.S. Congress had essentially halved the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) conversion factor reduction for 2024, meaning there should be more money coming your way in Medicare payments than previously expected for this year. For your Medicare EOBs for services performed on […]
It’s not an unknown phenomenon. Getting paid for something that was at least partially performed or created by someone else is a well-established practice. Thomas Edison was well known for taking the inventions of others, including his employees, and appropriating them as his own, receiving the acclaim and a hefty pay day (Nikola Tesla was […]
Anesthesia providers should be well trained to respond appropriately to any unanticipated clinical complication that occurs during a case. Vigilance is the key to effective anesthesia care. They know that things can go wrong even during what should be an uncomplicated surgical procedure. After all, while the surgeon is only focused on a very specific […]
