In a response to a congressional call for Sustainable Growth Rate reform, the American Society of Anesthesiologists this week suggested anesthesia-led efforts to improve patient care and lower costs.
In a formal response letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means Republicans dated May 25, ASA urged consideration of the Perioperative Surgical Home model of care coordination, which aims to improve the care of patients undergoing surgery by including more anesthesiologists throughout the perioperative period.
"By empowering and incentivizing anesthesiologists to participate more broadly in patient care, the Perioperative Surgical Home model will promote improved communication, teamwork and attention to patient-centered care," the letter said. "Via increased patient engagement and improved care coordination, this model has the potential to improve patient satisfaction along with other outcome measures."
The letter also informed the committee that, according to the Government Accountability Office, Medicare payments for anesthesia services represent only 33 percent of the commercial insurance payment rates for the same service — a disparity referred to as the anesthesia "33 percent problem."
Dr. Joseph Lucero Joins Bothwell Regional Health Center
17 States Opting Out of the Physician Supervision of Anesthesia Rule
In a formal response letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means Republicans dated May 25, ASA urged consideration of the Perioperative Surgical Home model of care coordination, which aims to improve the care of patients undergoing surgery by including more anesthesiologists throughout the perioperative period.
"By empowering and incentivizing anesthesiologists to participate more broadly in patient care, the Perioperative Surgical Home model will promote improved communication, teamwork and attention to patient-centered care," the letter said. "Via increased patient engagement and improved care coordination, this model has the potential to improve patient satisfaction along with other outcome measures."
The letter also informed the committee that, according to the Government Accountability Office, Medicare payments for anesthesia services represent only 33 percent of the commercial insurance payment rates for the same service — a disparity referred to as the anesthesia "33 percent problem."
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Teleflex Receives FDA Clearance for Epidural CatheterDr. Joseph Lucero Joins Bothwell Regional Health Center
17 States Opting Out of the Physician Supervision of Anesthesia Rule