At the 2011 Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago, John DiPaola, MD, and Scott Gibbs, MD, shared a presentation on operating a successful ambulatory surgery center while still accepting workers' compensation patients.
Dr. DiPaola, an orthopedic surgeon from Oregon, operates a practice that accepts solely workers' compensation patients. He said workers' compensation is a misunderstood topic in the medical community, and many healthcare providers have a negative perception of it, principally due to administrative hassles. However, Dr. DiPaola diligently studied workers' compensation-associated processes, smoothed out the inefficiencies and built a practice that is better prepared for any inquires from the state.
In order to maintain success, Dr. DiPaola said communication and focusing solely on elective outpatient orthopedic surgery will ensure an ASC will remain profitable when accepting workers' compensation. “Every state has workers' compensation law, but there are some commonalities. So you can determine predictable inquiries,” he said. “That way, we can meet workers' compensation requirements without spending too much time or money on administrative hassles.”
Dr. Gibbs, a neurologist from Missouri, says his success with workers' compensation care stems from his practice's care philosophy. This means eliminating bad physician attitudes toward workers' compensation and adversarial relationships with patients. In addition to providing a wide variety of procedures, including ALIF and PLIF, ASCs or practices that want to remain profitable while accepting workers' compensation must zero in on patient experiences.
Disney and Starbucks have been able to grow their respective empires because they offer consumers a special experience. That experience, despite coming with a high price tag, offers something invaluable to consumers and their families, which is why such companies have been able to grow and thrive.
Related Articles on Workers' Compensation:
Navigating an Orthopedic Practice and its ASCs Through a Challenging Healthcare Environment
Illinois Surgery Centers Hurt by Reformed Workers' Comp System
Oklahoma Senate Bill Would Update Workers' Comp Guidelines
Dr. DiPaola, an orthopedic surgeon from Oregon, operates a practice that accepts solely workers' compensation patients. He said workers' compensation is a misunderstood topic in the medical community, and many healthcare providers have a negative perception of it, principally due to administrative hassles. However, Dr. DiPaola diligently studied workers' compensation-associated processes, smoothed out the inefficiencies and built a practice that is better prepared for any inquires from the state.
In order to maintain success, Dr. DiPaola said communication and focusing solely on elective outpatient orthopedic surgery will ensure an ASC will remain profitable when accepting workers' compensation. “Every state has workers' compensation law, but there are some commonalities. So you can determine predictable inquiries,” he said. “That way, we can meet workers' compensation requirements without spending too much time or money on administrative hassles.”
Dr. Gibbs, a neurologist from Missouri, says his success with workers' compensation care stems from his practice's care philosophy. This means eliminating bad physician attitudes toward workers' compensation and adversarial relationships with patients. In addition to providing a wide variety of procedures, including ALIF and PLIF, ASCs or practices that want to remain profitable while accepting workers' compensation must zero in on patient experiences.
Disney and Starbucks have been able to grow their respective empires because they offer consumers a special experience. That experience, despite coming with a high price tag, offers something invaluable to consumers and their families, which is why such companies have been able to grow and thrive.
Related Articles on Workers' Compensation:
Navigating an Orthopedic Practice and its ASCs Through a Challenging Healthcare Environment
Illinois Surgery Centers Hurt by Reformed Workers' Comp System
Oklahoma Senate Bill Would Update Workers' Comp Guidelines