Perspectives on Out-of-network Billing

Lee M. Reichel, MD; Robert Strauch, MD; Gregg Vagner, MD

Out-of-network (OoN) billing, or “surprise billing” consisting of unexpected charges for OoN services, is an increasingly recognized issue. In the past several years, some states have enacted laws to remediate the problem. In 2015, New York enacted a surprise-billing law that prevents patients with health insurance from having to pay more than their in-network copay when receiving emergency services from an OoN provider at an in-network facility.

Take Your (Clinic) Life Back: Get a Scribe

Cheryl Toth, MBA

A 2017 Medscape survey indicated that nearly half (49 percent) of orthopaedic surgeons feel burned out. The top three causes cited? too many bureaucratic tasks increasing computerization of practice too many hours at work If you’re looking to reduce the number of hours and tasks spent on bureaucracy and electronic data entry, as well as reclaim some quality of life at work, consider hiring a scribe. Scribes enable physicians to focus on patients and get out of the office sooner.

Password Security: OpenSaysMe

Strong passwords are an essential, frontline defense in protecting data and systems In April 2018, the Center for Orthopaedic Specialists in California had to notify patients that some of their protected health information (PHI) may have been accessed by unauthorized individuals as the result of ransomware that had been installed on the practice’s network. The attack impacted nearly 85,000 current and former patients at the center’s three facilities.

Recovery Care Centers Expand the Benefits of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

John C. Steinmann, DO; Alexander Sah, MD; Angela Carlson, MHA; Michael Bergerson; Basil Besh, MD

Prior to 1970, all surgeries were performed in hospitals and were associated with long lengths of stay and high costs. Improved surgical techniques, along with the desire to reduce the costs of simple surgeries in hospitals, have led to the development of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Several surgical cases that were once considered to be inpatient only have migrated to ASCs, with well-documented high rates of patient satisfaction, good outcomes, and cost savings.