Peter Colquhoun, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Southwest Michigan Eye Center in Battle Creek, Mich., and physician-owner of Brookside Surgery Center, also in Battle Creek, discusses four opportunities for ophthalmology in ASCs.
1. Multi-focal implants. Although the price of lens implants are bundled into payments for cataract surgery, if a physician and patient select a higher-end multi-focal implant, such as Alcon's ReStor IOL or AMO ReZoom IOL, surgery centers, at least in Michigan, can balance bill a patient for the additional cost of the lens, says Dr. Colquhoun. Balance billing allows for cataract patients, who are often covered by Medicare, to receive the highest-level technology — a technology that Medicare would otherwise deny, he says.
2. Intravitreal injections. Dr. Colquhoun says his ASC is exploring offering intravitreal injections, such as Avastin and Lucentis, to treat various retinal disorders including age-related macular degeneration, diabetes and vascular occlusions. The ASC is currently analyzing potential reimbursement rates and demand for the procedure to determine if it is advantageous for the ASC.
3. Mini glaucoma shunts. Dr. Colquhoun's practice is also considering bringing in a glaucoma specialist in the coming year. If the practice is successful in attracting an additional physician, Dr. Colquhoun says the new specialist could bring additional business to the ASC by performing implantations of mini shunts to treat glaucoma, which can be performed in an ambulatory setting.
4. Oculoplastics. Finally, although the volume of plastic surgery has dropped dramatically with the economy, Dr. Colquhoun expects some of that business to rebound in 2010. "With the economy improving in the next year, we are hoping lid corrections and other elective ophthalmic procedures, such as LASIK, will increase," he says.
Learn more about Dr. Peter Colquhoun.
1. Multi-focal implants. Although the price of lens implants are bundled into payments for cataract surgery, if a physician and patient select a higher-end multi-focal implant, such as Alcon's ReStor IOL or AMO ReZoom IOL, surgery centers, at least in Michigan, can balance bill a patient for the additional cost of the lens, says Dr. Colquhoun. Balance billing allows for cataract patients, who are often covered by Medicare, to receive the highest-level technology — a technology that Medicare would otherwise deny, he says.
2. Intravitreal injections. Dr. Colquhoun says his ASC is exploring offering intravitreal injections, such as Avastin and Lucentis, to treat various retinal disorders including age-related macular degeneration, diabetes and vascular occlusions. The ASC is currently analyzing potential reimbursement rates and demand for the procedure to determine if it is advantageous for the ASC.
3. Mini glaucoma shunts. Dr. Colquhoun's practice is also considering bringing in a glaucoma specialist in the coming year. If the practice is successful in attracting an additional physician, Dr. Colquhoun says the new specialist could bring additional business to the ASC by performing implantations of mini shunts to treat glaucoma, which can be performed in an ambulatory setting.
4. Oculoplastics. Finally, although the volume of plastic surgery has dropped dramatically with the economy, Dr. Colquhoun expects some of that business to rebound in 2010. "With the economy improving in the next year, we are hoping lid corrections and other elective ophthalmic procedures, such as LASIK, will increase," he says.
Learn more about Dr. Peter Colquhoun.