Becker's ASC Review

32 ORTHOPEDICS 10 things to know about ophthalmology and ophthalmologist pay in 2018 By Laura Dyrda H ere are 10 things to know about oph- thalmologist pay, and how alternative payment models and health insur- ance exchange participation could affect it, according to the Medscape Ophthalmologist Compensation Report 2018. 1. Average ophthalmologist compensation was $357,000. 2. Ophthalmologist compensation increased 3 percent year over year in 2018. 3. U.S.-trained ophthalmologists reported compensation at $353,000 on average, lower than the $448,000 reported by foreign-born ophthalmologists. 4. Self-employed ophthalmologist earned more than employed ophthalmologists. Self-em- ployed ophthalmologists earned $429,000 on average, compared to $256,000 for employed ophthalmologists. 5. Around 58 percent of ophthalmologists are self-employed while 40 percent are employed. 6. Male ophthalmologists earned $391,000 on average, compared to $273,000 for female ophthalmologists. 7. Nearly three-quarters, 71 percent, of ophthalmologists report having professional liability/malpractice coverage. Additional benefits include: • Health insurance: 69 percent • Paid time off: 57 percent • Retirement plan with match: 49 percent 8. Most ophthalmologists that participated in the health insurance exchanges said it didn't affect their income: • 6 percent said income increased • 14 percent said income decreased • 41 percent said there was no change 9. Just 5 percent of ophthalmologists expect to participate in alternative payment models. 10. Nearly half — 48 percent — of ophthalmol- ogists participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. n Police fatally shoot man in Orlando hospital By Alia Paavola P olice fatally shot a 35-year-old man Oct. 1 who claimed he had a gun and threatened to "shoot any- one" inside Orlando (Fla.) Regional Medical Center, according to the Palm Beach Post. The man, who had been brought to the hospital via ambulance in the morning for a medical condition, began to make threats to himself and other staff members in the emergency room, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told WESH. Mr. Mina said the man told hospital staff that he would "shoot anyone who came near him," and said that "it was going to end right here today." Police negotiators began talking to the 35-year-old, but ended those talks because patients needed immediate treatment. The man then appeared to reach for a gun in his waistband, and officers shot him, according to news reports. Turns out the unidentified man did not have a gun, accord- ing to the police chief. Throughout the incident, the hospital's emergency depart- ment was on lockdown, and the rest of the hospital contin- ued with normal operations. No one else was injured. The three officers involved have been placed on paid ad- ministrative leave during an investigation of the shooting. n 4 ways ASCs can overcome common revenue cycle obstacles By Rachel Popa A lpharetta, Ga.-based Surgical Information Systems' Jho Out- law, senior vice president of revenue cycle services, and Jes- sica Nelson, director of revenue cycle services shared their insights on the common obstacles that prevent an ASC from being paid in a recent webinar. Surgical Information Systems summarized the questions Ms. Nelson and Ms. Outlaw were asked on their blog. Here are the insights they shared: 1. In the case of a payer not giving out names or authorization num- bers for pre-certification, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Outlaw said asking the insurer to provide a different reference point can encourage payer representatives to give more information. 2. For dealing with surgeons who do not dictate in a timely fashion, the speakers recommended collecting physician data to show a medical director or lead physician who is and isn't doing a good job. Investing in dictation technology can make it easier for physicians to complete their tasks in a timely manner. 3. In response to a question about tracking clinical documentation discrepancies, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Outlaw said utilizing technology that streamlines tracking like a "request for information tool that categorizes the queries sent back to surgeons. 4. ASCs that don't have implant carve-outs in their contracts should renegotiate contracts to ensure the center's success, the speakers said. Making it a priority to look at the costs of implants can help determine how much money an ASC is losing when implants aren't covered. n

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