Other physicians profiting from anesthesia services??

[ProRealDoc]

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http://www.asahq.org/Washington/ASALettertoOIG3-19-09.pdf

 

[mcgreen]

The ASA represents the employers of anesthesiologists; it has long since given up representing individual anesthesiologists. Thus this complaint to about the company model while a step in the right direction seems to complain about a small minor issue yet overlook the much larger far more obvious real problem. This is far too little to late as always.

from
http://www.asahq.org/Washington/ASAL...OIG3-19-09.pdf

"After the anesthesia providers' salaries, billing expenses and other costs are extracted, the anesthesia company's profits are distributed back to the owners of the facility. Some estimate these distributed profits as 40% or higher of the anesthesia fees. In most cases, the fees paid to the anesthesia providers are less than they could earn if they billed independently."

What about tens of thousands of anesthesiologists who work for an AMC, are associates on the "partnership track" or are employed by a hospital? All these groups of anesthesiologists are earning fees far less that if they were able to bill independently. Why doesn't the ASA bother to say something or to fight to end these unfair employment situations? If you are earning 40% less than you should be making it makes little difference if the money is going to the surgery center owner, a non anesthesiologist or if it is going to an anesthesiologist, owner of an AMC, or the anesthesiologist partners of an anesthesia group, or a non anesthesiologist, MBA hospital administrator.

 

[ProRealDoc]

The ASA represents the employers of anesthesiologists; it has long since given up representing individual anesthesiologists. Thus this complaint to about the company model while a step in the right direction seems to complain about a small minor issue yet overlook the much larger far more obvious real problem. This is far too little to late as always.

from
http://www.asahq.org/Washington/ASAL...OIG3-19-09.pdf

"After the anesthesia providers’ salaries, billing expenses and other costs are extracted, the anesthesia company’s profits are distributed back to the owners of the facility. Some estimate these distributed profits as 40% or higher of the anesthesia fees. In most cases, the fees paid to the anesthesia providers are less than they could earn if they billed independently."

What about tens of thousands of anesthesiologists who work for an AMC, are associates on the “partnership track” or are employed by a hospital? All these groups of anesthesiologists are earning fees far less that if they were able to bill independently. Why doesn’t the ASA bother to say something or to fight to end these unfair employment situations? If you are earning 40% less than you should be making it makes little difference if the money is going to the surgery center owner, a non anesthesiologist or if it is going to an anesthesiologist, owner of an AMC, or the anesthesiologist partners of an anesthesia group, or a non anesthesiologist, MBA hospital administrator.

I have never read/known anything about the ASA that supports your claim re: them only representing employers of anesthesiologists. There's no law that prevents anesthesiologists from becoming independent contractors if that's your thing. I agree with you that the exclusive contract issue is a thorny as it takes away our ability to offer our services without having to "join a group". There are supporters of the individual and group model who have sound arguments as to why each one is better.

The ASA is a big ship that needs captains and sailors to steer it in the right direction and since it survives as a result of the membership fees, then it has to answer to its members. If you are one, I would strongly suggest that you contact them and make your concerns known.

Lastly, the purpose of the posted letter was to show that something is being done about as you so acknowledge. One of the goals of the ASA is to fight for adequate reimbursement for its members as it has done with the medicare and teaching rule. However, in order to be successful it needs the input of those in the trenches (us). This is where you can help. Become a member and make your voice heard.

 

[sweetalkr]

i found that frequently talking to my co-residents and forwarding them emails RE: ASA stuff has made a lot of them join. be persistent and show u care. also talk $$'s. that recruits..