Anesthesia

Payer mix and volume decline, as well as an increase in coverage requirements, have spurred a decline in the independence of anesthesia practices, Tony Mira, founder and CEO of Anesthesia Business consultants, wrote in an Aug. 4 blog post.

CMS is suggesting big changes in its proposed 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and ASC Payment System rule released July 19

Ninety percent of anesthesiologist's income declined because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Medscape's "Anesthesiologist Compensation Report 2021."

Interventional pain specialist John Prunskis, MD, delivered remarks at a congressional roundtable July 29, citing recent CMS decisions that he said could lead to an increase in opioid use.

CRH Medical has taken a 51 percent stake in Greater Washington Anesthesia Associates in Gainesville, Va.

Baton Rouge, La.-based anesthesia management company DPI Anesthesia partnered with AllSpine Laser and Surgery Center, a DPI anesthesiologist said July 28. 

Medicare Administrative Contractor Palmetto GBA announced that Medicare payments from July 21-22 could be delayed because of a "system processing issue," the company said July 21. 

Michigan lifted restrictions for certified registered nurse anesthetists.

New Medicare policy language will make it difficult for anesthesiologists to get reimbursed for facet intervention cases, according to a July 14 blog post by Tony Mira, founder of Anesthesia Business Consultants. 

For anesthesia practices that submit a significant number of out-of-network claims, the new No Surprises Act could mean less revenue.