Biggest Bundled Payment Challenge

*DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOW IS AN ARTICLE BY ERIC OLIVER ON BECKER’S ASC REVIEW. CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO THIS ARTICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE.

Orthopedic surgeon Steven Mash, MD, of DuPage (Ill.) Medical Group in Downers Grove, Ill., spoke to Becker's ASC Review on bundled payments for ASCs.

Dr. Mash will be speaking at the Becker's 16th Annual Future of Spine + The Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference. To learn more and register, click here. Contact Maura Jodoin at mjodoin@beckershealthcare.com or Kristelle Khazzaka at Kkhazzaka@beckershealthcare.com for further information about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.

Question: If an ASC wanted to work towards developing a new care bundle, what's the best advice you would give them?  

SM: Bundles are challenging in the ASC world as the surgeon needs to be intimately involved. ASCs should already understand their cost, but just as in the hospital world the ASC has little experience in managing the post-discharge treatment. If the ASC is to hold the risk for the bundle then it will need to develop systems to oversee, manage and control cost in the post-op environment. Medications, therapy, readmission, home health [and others] are all areas the ASC will need to figure out how to deliver in a cost efficient manner.

Best advice is to probably find someone who can help, either software, consultant, etc. This will be very challenging for ASCs that have physicians working in their facilities who are independent of one another.