Same-Day Surgery – August 1, 2004
August 1, 2004
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Plastic surgery soars in popularity, but providers ask, ‘Is that good news?’
Celebrities, such as Today show weatherman Al Roker, tout the dramatic impact that plastic surgery has had on their lives. So-called reality television programs show people who say plastic surgery has changed their lives forever. -
How do you know if your billing agency is good?
In this second part of a two-part series on outsourcing your coding, billing, and collections, we discuss billing benchmarks and tips for how to get paid by the insurance company. In last months issue, we discussed how to determine whether to outsource. -
How to get the payer to send in the money
When a claim isnt paid in a timely manner, your billers need to document communication with the payer and follow up with e-mails, said Ann S. Deters, MBA, CPA, CEO and founder of SevenD & Associates, an Effingham, IL-based consulting and management company affiliated with 17 surgery centers. -
Tonsil technology means less pain, faster recovery
Fewer instruments to handle, no risk of electrosurgical burns, less postoperative pain, and a speedier recovery are the advantages of a new tonsillectomy technique that uses radio frequency waves and salt water to remove tissue without damaging surrounding healthy tissue, according to surgeons performing the procedure. -
Same-Day Surgery Manager
Should I have full-time staff or a mix of full time and per diem? Should I buy equipment or lease? Can our surgeons approach our hospital (a not-for-profit facility) and buy into it? Should I outsource billing or do it in-house? Should my facility undergo physical expansion or expand hours of operation? Should I offer salary increases or profit sharing? Should I allow new investors vs. a closed shop? Should the administrator of an ASC be an RN or business manager? -
Save $5,000-plus with these cost-saving ideas
In this second part of a two-part series on cost savings in ambulatory surgery, we discuss how to save money on occupancy costs and telecommunications. Last month, we discussed cost-efficiency in administrative support, employee benefits, salaries, and services. -
Want to save money? Target telecommunications
You can save your program a substantial amount of money by examining your business contracts, such as phone service (long distance), and compare prices, suggests Jerry W. Henderson, RN, MBA, CNOR, CASC, executive director of the SurgiCenter of Baltimore in Owings Mills, MD. -
South Carolina proposes moratorium on ASCs
A draft of a South Carolina state health plan includes a one-year moratorium on new ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and expansion of existing ASCs. -
Web Watch: Smart web site produces informed surgical patients
Outpatient surgery patients can find out what questions to ask about their surgery, their medication, and the day of surgery at a web site (www.smarterpatient.com) sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Cincinnati.