What is the future of gastroenterology and endoscopy in ASCs? Whatever ends up coming to pass, the best way GI physicians can ensure practice success is through remaining aware of potential challenges that riddle the current healthcare landscape, according to panelists Barry Tanner, president of Physicians Endoscopy; Farid Naffah, MD, gastroenterologist at Avamar Gastroenterology; and Joel Brill, MD, medical director of FAIR Health, at the Becker's 21st Annual Meeting — The Business and Operations of ASCs in a session held Oct. 24.
And, potential challenges abound.
According to Mr. Tanner, the biggest concern for GI right now is a fear factor among physicians. "Right now it's nonspecific. We know things will be different, but we don't know how. Physicians are wondering if they can protect their referrals, with increasing hospital employment, and their revenue, with dramatically changing payer mixes. We have to let people know we [as GI practices] are good," he said.
"Our main issue is a decrease in payments, in addition to the fact that we're seeing more cancellations than we have ever seen in the past," said Dr. Naffah, who noted it seems to be related to patients having issues meeting their higher-deductible plans.
The locality of healthcare is what Dr. Brill found most concerning. "All healthcare is local, and other [survival] strategies may not be suitable for GI," he said. "If you choose to pursue an out-of-network strategy, it may come back to you. Not to say it's not viable, but it will be locally driven."
In addition, access and transparency may play into the future of GI in the ASC. Mr. Tanner noted that centers who make a particular effort to be transparent in access and care may fare better than their more traditional counterparts over the next several years where attracting patients is concerned. In addition, the development of bundled payments is something Mr. Tanner things will be very important. "From a trending standpoint, that will be one of the most meaningful developments we'll see over the next five years," he said.
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