Anesthesia

Former physician Morris Starkman is facing fraud and narcotics distribution charges for allegedly overprescribing opioids and carrying out an illegal medical billing scheme, Burlington County (N.J.) Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced Dec. 4.

The federal government and local authorities ramped up efforts to crack down on illegal prescribing practices this year, and articles on the matter generated a significant amount of buzz.

Melville, N.Y.-based North American Partners in Anesthesia again partnered with AdvantageCare Physicians to handle anesthesia services at a fourth AdvantageCare location.

Obstetric anesthesia can be a make-or-break service for anesthesia practices because of its many complexities, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.

UnitedHealthcare and other major payers are refining their policies to manage rising healthcare costs and utilization, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.

Medicare's Procedure Price Lookup tool allows patients to compare the cost of services at ASCs and hospital outpatient departments.

Durango, Colo.-based Mercy Regional Medical Center's anesthesiologists will affiliate with U.S. Anesthesia Partners this summer, when the health system becomes part of Centennial, Colo.-based Centura Health, the Pine River Times reports.

George Mashour, MD, PhD, was installed Dec 1. as chair of the anesthesiology department at Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine.

Four new providers joined Regional West Physicians Clinic in Scottsbluff, Neb., including an anesthesiologist, according to the Scottsbluff Star Herald.

Poorly controlled post-operative pain negatively affects patients' cardiovascular systems, blood clotting mechanisms and immune systems. It also has been shown to contribute to the development of chronic pain. Effective management of post-operative pain has the potential to improve health outcomes…