Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1058309
42 GI/ENDOSCOPY future. Anthony Starpoli, MD, a New York City-based gastroenterologist, sees self-pay as an opportunity for the future. He has also obtained board certification in obesity medicine to treat additional pa- tients. "I anticipate less insurance carrier participation and an emerging self-pay model of practice," he said. "Patients are faced with high-deductible insurance coverage that has essentially created this self-pay market. I spend more time with patients, and I am having a positive im- pact on health by addressing the obesity epidemic." 7. While many gastroenterologists are beginning to collect data and provide value-based care, they aren't necessarily seeing a boost in pay. "GI physicians have very little remain- ing control over the cost of practice opera- tions, almost no control over what they get paid for their services, and an inability to monetize the investments that they have made in quality reporting because the payers are not yet in a position to broadly implement value-based reimbursement models," said Mr. Tanner. 8. Ancillary revenue streams play a key role in GI physician indepen- dence. ASCs and endoscopy centers have been a reliable source of ancillary revenue for gastroenterologists and remain a key opportunity. "While I believe profes- sional revenue is now reasonably stable, I do have a sense that ASC reimburse- ments will continue to benefit from the very large differential between HOPD and ASC reimbursements and from increas- ing price transparency," said Mr. Tanner. "The challenges I see on the practice side are more in the area of ancillary revenues outside of the ASC, for example pathology and the increasing utilization of physician extenders." 9. The foundation for providing great patient care remains important for running a successful practice. e practice needs well-trained staff as well as skilled and board-certified gastroenter- ologists delivering care in a controlled and regulated environment to achieve the right patient experience. According to Mr. Tanner, economic success depends on: • e ability to provide great patient care • Careful planning and execution of business management skills • Engaged physicians that play an active role in management and governance of the center • Dedicated staff who can help make the patient feel important and respected 10. Technology could help ease the administrative burden for gastroen- terologists. Across the country, gastroen- terologists, as well as other physicians, are faced with redundant documentation related to their EHR, endoscopy writer soware and quality measures for CMS, meaning less time for patients. However, technology could help in the future. "Documentation technology must improve," said William E. Karnes, MD, a gastroenter- ologist at the University of California, Irvine. "I'm hoping artificial intelligence will play a role toward that goal in the future." n EOS Solutions | Along the spine care pathway CONNECTING IMAGING TO CARE www.eos-imaging.com Find out how EOS can differentiate your facility and improve patient care, please visit our website or email us: contact@eos-imaging.com Advanced orthopedic imaging and surgical planning solutions Low dose weight-bearing exams Full body images to assess sagittal balance and compensatory mechanisms Valuable 3D patient-specific models and data Online, 3D surgical planning software for the spine, hip and knee Financing options available for hospitals and private practices EOS imaging, SA | 10 rue Mercoeur | 75011 Paris France | +33 (0) 1 55 25 60 60 EOS imaging, Inc. | 185 Alewife Brook Parkway #205 | Cambridge, MA 02138 USA | +1 (678) 564 5400 oneFIT Medical | 18 rue Alain Savary | 25000 Besançon France | +33 (0) 3 81 25 24 27 Caution: US Federal law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician / Please read carefully the labeling provided with the devices MKT10332-A