Becker's ASC Review

19 Thought Leadership How orthopedic surgeon compensation changed over the last decade By Eric Oliver O rthopedic surgeon compensation will be affected by COVID-19, ending a generally upward trend from the last several years. Using Medscape's Physician Compensation Report from 2011-20, here is how average physician salaries have changed: Note: Medscape surveyed 15,794 respon- dents in 2011, 24,216 respondents in 2012, 21,878 respondents in 2013, 24,075 re- spondents in 2014, 19,657 respondents in 2015, 19,183 respondents in 2016, 19,270 respondents in 2017, 20,329 respondents in 2018, 19,328 respondents in 2019 and 17,461 respondents in 2020 to collect compensation data. Overall specialty physician salary: 2015: $284,000 2016: N/A 2017: $316,000 2018: $329,000 2019: $341,000 2020: $346,000 Orthopedics: 2011: $350,000 2012: $315,000 2013: $405,000 2014: $413,000 2015: $421,000 2016: $443,000 2017: $489,000 2018: $497,000 2019: $482,000 2020: $511,000 n What 2 ASC administrators are excited for in 2021 By Angie Stewart The year ahead seems promising for ASCs. Becker's ASC Review asked administra- tors to share what they're most excited for in 2021: Sam J.W. Romeo, MD, general partner at Tower Health & Wellness Center (Tur- lock, Calif.): We are excited about Medicare and commercial insurers opening the approval gates for expanding procedures being performed in the ASC — total joints [becoming] Medicare-eligible procedures is an example. We have several patients who are well over 65 years old who have been waiting for this to happen. Patients have delayed surgery because of their hope this would happen and their belief in the effi- ciency and outcomes of surgery centers (low infection rate, high satisfaction, etc.). This has been amplified by the fear of COVID-19 in the hospital environment. Recovery at home after surgery makes the most sense for patients, including the geriatric patient. Pamela Bronson, CEO of Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics (Exeter, N.H.): I am most excited for the continued momentum, recognition and inevitable impact towards continued growth in the ASC industry as a result of a growing public awareness that ASCs are a safe option for outpatient surgical care. I believe programs that allowed ASCs to temporarily apply and adopt hospital outpatient department status will survive beyond the public health emergency and accelerate the broad acceptance by both legislators and our patients that the ASC is a safe and lower-cost option for surgical care. Through the unprecedented circumstances of the past year, efforts to refocus and improve safety accelerated to reset expectations and perceptions. The additional enhanced safety measures taken throughout healthcare due to management of COVID-19 will likely survive long after the pandemic, further advancing ASCs as the preferable lower-cost option to traditional healthcare delivery models. n 4 big trends for ASCs in 2021 By Angie Stewart W hile elective surgery re- strictions devastated ASC finances in early 2020, the industry largely recovered rapidly and is poised to take on a greater share of procedures this year. Four trends that will dominate the ASC space this year: 1. Market activity. Driven to reduce healthcare costs, insurers were already steering procedures to ASCs instead of higher-cost hospitals before COVID-19. Infection concerns due to the pandemic are now making ASCs an even more popular option for patients, as well. In 2021, expect to see more partnerships formed between existing surgery centers and hospitals, as well as the development of more joint-venture centers between independent practices and hospitals. 2. Payment. There's a wide reimburse- ment gap between ASCs and hospital outpatient departments, and because CMS didn't address this in its final rule for 2021, ASCs will continue fighting to eliminate the differential. Additionally, CMS announced compensation cuts for a number of physician specialties for next year, a move that ruffled feathers. Fortunately, having proved their ability to safely provide care during the pan- demic, ASCs are avoiding new rounds of elective surgery restrictions — the latest state orders are more precisely targeting inpatient settings. 3. Staffing. ASCs have to continue keeping staff safe from COVID-19 expo- sure in 2021, as a single positive case among employees could quickly put others in isolation. In a nightmare sce- nario, a short-staffed center could have to cancel cases or temporarily close. 4. Supplies. As the coronavirus contin- ues spreading like wildfire, the greater need to protect staff and patients from exposure is driving up supply costs — more personal protective equipment equals more money. Supply challenges also include bracing for potential shortages, creating new approaches to procuring inventory, and having to conserve supplies by reusing them. n

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