Anesthesiologists as ACO Leaders
As hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), and physician providers formulate the transparent partnerships the new rules require to participate in an ACO, it is important to be reminded that anesthesiologists are integral providers to achieve the goals of this new ACO concept. Anesthesiologists have been critical players in the initial assessment and on-going management of patient’s care throughout the perioperative and obstetrical arenas. In addition, Anesthesiology has been a champion for patient safety and has contributed data to the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI), for years.
Recent professional editorials have talked about creating a “surgical home” or an Accountable Anesthesia Organization as concepts where anesthesiologists would lead a team dedicated to the goals of an ACO. A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association addressed the potential mistakes in implementing ACOs, particularly in failing to recognize interdependencies (http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/7/758.full).
It will be interesting to see the CMS response to the final rules for ACOs when they are made available.
Medicare Requires Revalidation of Physician Provider Enrollment Data
Medicare is requiring all physician providers who were enrolled prior to March 25, 2011 to revalidate their enrollment data. Between now and March 2013, Medicare fiscal intermediaries will be sending notices to these physician providers, requesting that they revalidate their provider enrollment information contained in the PECOS system. Upon receipt of the revalidation request, physician providers will have 60 days from the date of the letter to submit completed enrollment forms. Failure to submit the enrollment forms as requested may result in the deactivation of your Medicare billing privileges. Providers can now utilize the Internet-based PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System at https://pecos.CMS.hhs.gov.) to revalidate their provider information.
Physician providers who fail to revalidate their data timely could suffer financial hardship due to the interuption in Medicare payments until the revalidations is completed.
