ASC leaders face a near impossible situation as anesthesia reimbursement rates stagnate and decline, all while other pressures, including staffing issues and operational costs weigh on profitability.
Two leaders recently joined Becker’s to discuss their strategies for surviving the anesthesia cost squeeze.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What is your organization’s financial strategy for mitigating the impact of decreasing anesthesia reimbursements?
Tina DiMarino, RN. CEO of Custom Surgical Consultants and member of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s Education and Membership Committees (Street, Md.): Renegotiate your anesthesia payer contracts, as there might be opportunities to negotiate carve-outs similar to that of surgical procedures. Practice cost containment by looking at supplies used and other methods of anesthesia that drive positive patient outcomes, but at a more affordable cost. Think about whether your staffing model can be improved to make it less expensive and if there is an opportunity to decrease anesthesia stipends. With every dollar counting toward an ASC’s bottom line, diving into all aspects of revenue versus expense is prudent.
Thomas Jeneby, MD. Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio: Hiring a second full time anesthesia [team], finding APRN anesthesia in our city, [and] possibly employing certified registered nurse anesthetists or anesthesiologist assistants.
