Q: In your opinion, what are some of the challenges GIs are currently facing both in the practice and ASC settings? How will these challenges affect GIs, their practices and their ASCs?
James Weber, MD: Challenges are being seen on many fronts, but most worrisome are the threats to our reimbursement due to constant changes from the government and the insurance companies. The independent physician groups and surgery centers, which are actually the most economically run entities in this market, are increasingly the targets for reduction in reimbursement simply because they have the least ability to fight back against these larger bureaucracies. To address these risks, smaller GI groups and centers are banding together to become larger entities, and/or they are partnering with larger organizations such as hospital systems.
Most GI centers run relatively efficient operations in terms of endoscopy, but just as importantly is increasing alternative revenue streams. Several ancillary services provide great opportunities to improve the financial viability of the GI practice and center, including owning and operating a histology lab (which has helped our group immensely) and looking into alternative sedation models (such as hiring CRNAs to provide propofol).
Although these comments are not breaking news, these issues have become more imminent and more important.
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Thank you to Barry Tanner of Physicians Endoscopy for arranging this interview.