As we survey out clients one issue always comes up as a major concern: how do we find enough qualified providers? It has become all too obvious that the greatest challenge facing most of our clients is generating enough revenue to recruit and retain a full contingent of providers to meet the ever-changing service expectations of the various facilities they serve. A growing Medicare population and other payer mix changes have been making it increasingly difficult to generate enough revenue to meet salary requirements. What used to be free service for facilities is now becoming increasingly expensive. Some of the current subsidies are mind-blowing. And now there is a shortage of providers. Managing an anesthesia practice was never simple, but now it is becoming increasingly stressful. We have asked our familiar panel of experts to weigh in on the current state of the specialty and share their thoughts.
Our very own Jody Locke, MA, vice president of anesthesia and pain practice management services, explores the many factors that have impacted the supply and demand for anesthesiologists and CRNAs in his article, Why is There a Shortage of Anesthesia Providers? The fact is that even though the supply is increasing it is not keeping up with the growth in anesthetizing locations and the demand for professional anesthesia services. He identifies the various trends that practices should be tracking to formulate a survival plan.
Having defined the problem, one of Coronis Health’s anesthesia experts, Gary Keeling, CPA, MBA, vice president anesthesia RCM for Coronis Health, explores the importance of strategic planning in a very comprehensive and practical review of strategic options in his article, The Need for a Strategic Plan for Anesthesia Practices to Succeed in a Challenging Staffing Environment. His extensive experience provides a wealth of useful ideas for every practice. This is the new frontier that today’s providers must focus on.
Vicki Myckowiak, Esq, with The Health Law Partners, PC, has worked with a wide variety of anesthesia practices across the country and understands just how challenging it is to craft a contract that anticipates the changing market conditions for anesthesia services. Her review, Practical and Legal Aspects of Hospital Support for Anesthesia, provides an invaluable checklist for any practice about to renegotiate its hospital contract. This is a piece you will want to review carefully.
Mark Weiss, JD, owner of the eponymous The Mark F. Weiss Law Firm, is always sharing some very interesting issues from his experience negotiating contracts for anesthesia practices. From Prehistory to Avoiding Post-History: Anesthesia Group Stipends is an especially thoughtful review of some arcane situations.
A new author this issue, Jack Dillon, MS, MBA, MSHR, chief executive officer, Anesthesia Practice Consultants, educates readers on the Association for Independent Medicine (AIM), of which he serves as executive director. AIM is dedicated to advocating for independent healthcare professionals. You can read more about the organization in Championing Autonomy: The Vital Role of the Association for Independent Medicine in Modern Healthcare.
We complete our review with some very useful coding updates from our Coronis Health leaders with Creating Something New: CPT Assigns New Block Codes by Bethanne Thomas, CPC, CPMA, CANPC, CPCO, CPB, CEMC, BHSA, manager of coding compliance, and a preview of new HIPAA guidelines with Proposed New HIPAA Changes from Bellinger Moody, RHIA, CPC, chief compliance & privacy officer.
Those of us who are struggling to manage anesthesia effectively are always trying to figure out how best to use the carrot and the stick, especially now that the carrot is shrinking. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback on our selections. We are always interested in your thoughts and suggestions.