Is there a difference between “medical direction” and “supervision?
There is a difference in the Medicare payment rules. Medical direction requires the seven steps (like ASA policy) and pays 100%, split 50-50 between the MD and CRNA. Supervision applies when the anesthesiologist is involved in more than 4 cases concurrently, or when s/he doesn’t meet all the requirements for medical direction. Payment for supervision is based on 3 units (plus one additional if the anesthesiologist participated in induction) for the MD, and the usual 50% for the CRNA. 2. Please send me the Medicare medical direction rules. Medicare Carrier Manual Section 15018 can be downloaded here. (MS WORD file) 3. Can you recommend a consultant? ASA does not recommend consultants, but you may request a list of attorneys, CPAs and other consultants who have been recommended by at least one ASA member or who are occasional resources for ASA Practice Management staff by sending an e-mail message to mail@asawash.org. and asking for the Consultants List. 4. Where can I find out the truth
