Accuracy is essential when it comes to physical status modifiers in the anesthesiology field, and as of January 2016, the ASA Physical Status Classification System (modifiers P1-P6) includes examples to assist in choosing the appropriate modifier. The original version was published in 1941 by Meyer Saklad, and then by ASA in a booklet for the […]
2017 is the year for clinicians to transfer to the new MIPS program, and CMS has done its best to make the transition as smooth as possible – especially for those who are just starting to participate in MIPS. For those clinicians who don’t participate at all, a score of zero will be assigned; but […]
You may have heard about MAC anesthesia, or maybe you know someone who experienced this type of sedation during surgery – but what exactly is it, and how does it differ from general anesthesia? These are great questions, and they concern a lot of people – especially those who claim they’ve been awake during surgery. […]
In late 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final ruling on Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) implementation. The act, signed into law in 2015, represents a shift in health care payments away from volume-based pay and toward value-based pay reimbursement. Despite a 2017 launch date, the fifth annual […]
Because of the complexity of medical procedures and services, additional information is often necessary when coding. This information typically comes in the form of what’s called a CPT modifier, which describes how many procedures were performed, why they were necessary, where they were performed on the body, how many surgeons were involved in the operation, […]
Healthcare acronyms are everywhere – MACRA, EMR, PHI, HIPAA. They can be confusing, and it’s easy to get them mixed up – but using the wrong acronym could lead to HIPAA mistakes. Your providers and staff may use health-related acronyms regularly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all on the same page – or […]
As of January 1, 2017, CPT codes 62310-62319 have been deleted. In their place, new codes have been added so that the use or non-use of imaging with epidural steroid injections is now reflected. If your anesthesiology practice hasn’t yet updated its systems, do so now, using the following new ESI codes. Why Have These […]
You may not think about anesthesiologists needing or using smartphone apps for their practice, but there are several out there that are worth checking out. Always do your homework, of course, and make sure that these apps fit your needs and work accurately before using them; we make no claims that these apps are flawless […]
Every year, the United in Patient Safety campaign comes to a close with Patient Safety Awareness Week. This year, March 12-18 is the observed week for dedicating time and energy to increasing awareness for patient safety. In order to further this cause, the National Patient Safety Foundation brings health professionals and patients together to spread […]
CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) are a foundational element to the entire anesthesiology industry. But many people don’t know what the everyday life of a CRNA is like. Today, we’d like to take you behind the scenes and show you what these amazing professionals do every day – and how they strive to serve their […]
