Under the economic model, a physician-owned facility establishes and incorporates a separate anesthesia company under the same ownership as the facility. The company then employs anesthesia providers, according to the letter.
The ASA opposes the economic model, stating in the letter that the model will result in the "overutilization of anesthesia services" and that demands upon anesthesia providers for remuneration constitute kickbacks.
The ASA has requested that the Inspector General issue a bulletin "clarifying the merits, implications and legality of the company model described."
Read the ASA’s letter to the Inspector General about the economic model (pdf).
