The 33% Problem: A Discussion With Hospital Executives

Abstract

Article| October 2022 The 33% Problem: A Discussion With Hospital Executives Catlin Nalley Catlin Nalley Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar ASA Monitor October 2022, Vol. 86, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000890016.16963.20 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Catlin Nalley; The 33% Problem: A Discussion With Hospital Executives. ASA Monitor 2022; 86:1–8 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000890016.16963.20 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsASA Monitor Search Advanced Search Topics: anesthesia department, hospital, health care systems, leadership, medicare, perioperative care, reimbursement mechanisms, resource based relative value scale, transparency, billing and payment, personnel staffing and scheduling It is one of the most enduring challenges faced by the specialty and one unique to anesthesiology – the discrepancy in Medicare payments for anesthesia services known as the “33% Problem”. Whereas Medicare rates for other specialties represent between 75% and 85% of their commercial payment rates, payment for anesthesia services are less than one-third of commercial rates. In fact, it has been determined by some that the real number is likely now in the mid-20% range. ASA's economic experts have been working ceaselessly to address this issue since the early 1990s, soon after the flawed Resource-Based Relative Value Scale was established in 1992. Today, ASA continues to devote significant resources to the 33% Problem, including through our Payment Progress Initiative (asamonitor.pub/3Qi9WTk), and the issue has been explored extensively in the ASA Monitor (asamonitor.pub/3AmE76F). This month, the Monitor reached out to two anesthesiology thought leaders who... You do not currently have access to this content.