Open Anesthesia Cities

[TexasGas2025]

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Long time reader, newer member here. In the Dallas Fort Worth area, there are a sizeable number of independent anesthesiologists that cover surgeons and proceduralists in open staff facilities across town. This is their full time gig. I think this scenario is just unique to the anesthesiology market in DFW, not other specialties in DFW. I am exploring jobs and I am wondering if the brains here could help. Does this type of open anesthesia market exist in other cities? I have heard possibly Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[aneftp]

Long time reader, newer member here. In the Dallas Fort Worth area, there are a sizeable number of independent anesthesiologists that cover surgeons and proceduralists in open staff facilities across town. This is their full time gig. I think this scenario is just unique to the anesthesiology market in DFW, not other specialties in DFW. I am exploring jobs and I am wondering if the brains here could help. Does this type of open anesthesia market exist in other cities? I have heard possibly Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thanks so much for your help.

Not profitable anymore running around town with the same surgeons especially due to no surprises act

 

[Coffee PRN]

Long time reader, newer member here. In the Dallas Fort Worth area, there are a sizeable number of independent anesthesiologists that cover surgeons and proceduralists in open staff facilities across town. This is their full time gig. I think this scenario is just unique to the anesthesiology market in DFW, not other specialties in DFW. I am exploring jobs and I am wondering if the brains here could help. Does this type of open anesthesia market exist in other cities? I have heard possibly Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thanks so much for your help.

A smaller group in Vegas has the same setup as far as I remember.

 

[centdoc]

It is doable, but more challenging to get reimbursed properly than it has been in the past. First, as a solo physician, you have no leverage to negotiate decent rates with the insurance companies. Even if you find someone to “piggyback” off their contract, you’ll have to pay a certain percentage back to that person (in the good ole days we were all out of network). Second, you’ll never get a real vacation. Who will cover your cases when you’re gone? How will you compensate them (if it’s an insurance case, you can let them just bill, but if it’s Medicare or Medicaid, good luck getting coverage unless you pay on top). Thirdly, you’re always looking to get more surgeons to feed yourself. Fourth, you’re responsible for the billing, and calling the billing co every time you get shortchanged from the insurance companies. So many things, not worth it anymore because you have to be in-network. If you want to be out of network, it is doable, but 3x harder than in the past. Now you have to arbitrate, and keep up with all that. That alone is another full time job. Been there, done that for 20 years.

 

[Arantius]

I did this for awhile in DFW and hated it because I was always rushed and it’s bad care, honestly. You drop patients in the pacu and rush to the next place. Never happened to me but I helped rescue a lost airway in pacu for a patient of another doc working in the same setup. Of course I jumped in but make me think hard about that setup and how I wouldn’t be there for issues.

 

[Drwine]

All you need to know is that professional fees are not sufficient to support anesthesiologists in most circumstances. No sharing a subsidy if you aren't part of a group.

 

[Leinie]

Long time reader, newer member here. In the Dallas Fort Worth area, there are a sizeable number of independent anesthesiologists that cover surgeons and proceduralists in open staff facilities across town. This is their full time gig. I think this scenario is just unique to the anesthesiology market in DFW, not other specialties in DFW. I am exploring jobs and I am wondering if the brains here could help. Does this type of open anesthesia market exist in other cities? I have heard possibly Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thanks so much for your help.

Are you looking for this type of arrangement? It doesn't seem to be an efficient or lucrative way to practice.

 

[aneftp]

Are you looking for this type of arrangement? It doesn't seem to be an efficient or lucrative way to practice.

In the past especially with out of network billing for the small guy (aka solo provider) $400/unit for anesthesia it was lucrative. The insurers would either pay it in full or settle it for $250/unit. You would still come out ahead with following the surgeon around.

No with no surprises act. Its pretty much dead practice model (follow ur surgeon around)

 

[Blackmateria]

A lot of people in LA do it, as there's no certificate of need needed to open a surgery center so they are abundant. As long as you have a good network and are personable you can make a decent career just working at "mom and pop" shops.

 

[TexasGas2025]

Thanks all for your replies. I was just curious to know other cities that have independent anesthesiologists working full time in those cities.

 

[nimbus]

Thanks all for your replies. I was just curious to know other cities that have independent anesthesiologists working full time in those cities.

I think most decent sized cities have some. Mine does.

 

[aneftp]

Thanks all for your replies. I was just curious to know other cities that have independent anesthesiologists working full time in those cities.

Mainly plastics I know in Jacksonvile orlando and Tampa st Pete area. So just little office based centers. But it’s just one location and they don’t run around town. They may go to secondary plastics office the next day. But they stay at one location for the day. A few take call after 4pm at area hospitals for extras cash.

The jobs (open anesthesia model) you are pursuing is a dead model. My bff used to do it 2005-2013 in Dallas and stopped. He’s full time locums as of mid 2022.

Again. Do NOT BE BLOCKBUSTER video. You are hatching on to an outdated practice model for anesthesia.