As we’ve seen with the other major changes to the Relative Value Guide in 2019, the definition for accurate start and stop times has gotten more complex in order to allow for more flexibility. It seems counterintuitive that a more rigid definition can lead to more adjustability in practice, but it’s true. Surgery is a […]
Though it seems complicated at first, it’s not rocket surgery! De-mystifying the process by which charges are established for anesthesia services is a worthwhile exercise for everyone involved in the billing process. Surgery is not a yard sale where patients pay what they think is appropriate for services, or anesthesiologists bill what they think they’re […]
BCBS of Alabama Mid-Year Update: Are you aware of the changes to the BCBSAL Anesthesia Fee Schedule Attention! If you are an anesthesia provider or coder and like increasing your bottom line, this is vital information for you. There are important Blue Cross Blue Shield anesthesia conversion factor increases that begin on July 1st, 2019 […]
In an ideal world, all patients would be easy to sedate - flat on their backs, in a controlled environment, with no adverse reactions. Of course, this is never the case, so there are a thousand different ways in which anesthesia is administered and monitored. A tiny divergence in procedure can sometimes mean life and […]
The protection, security, and accurate transmission of information are some of the most crucial features of effective anesthesia care. One mismarked chart or misread note can potentially lead to catastrophe. Interpretation is not the same as precise duplication! The best way to avoid playing a game of “Telephone” with your patient information is to ensure […]
Every year, it’s always the same. After the holidays, after the New Year, after vacations are over and routine has started, we wait for the spring. A small burst of warmth and sunlight leaves us clamoring for warm weather, even when there’s a month left of winter. Stay warm, and hang in there! In the […]
The simplest solution is usually the best one. When it comes to the tangled web of Medicare services and billing, however, staying simple isn’t always easy. Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) update their policies in order to stay on top of technological advances and to streamline their processes. Less paperwork […]
Medical Business Management would like to join with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in honoring Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists during National CRNA week. The week of January 20th has been set aside to show appreciation for CRNAs and to raise awareness for the important work that they do.Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia […]
Traditionally, MAC anesthesia cases and general anesthesia cases were very easy to differentiate. General anesthesia refers to patients that are completely asleep and have an endotracheal tube down the throat. MAC anesthesia (Monitored Anesthesia Care) refers to patients that are not completely asleep (various levels of sedation) and were not intubated. Propofol and MAC Anesthesia […]
MAC stands for Monitored Anesthesia Care. MAC is not necessarily a type of anesthesia but more of a style of anesthesia. Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) includes all aspects of anesthesia care, a pre-procedure visit, intra-procedure care and post-procedure anesthesia management. While MAC may include the administration of sedatives and analgesics often used for Moderate Sedation, […]
