Here three spine surgeons discuss whether they would consider adding ancillary services to their practices.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What is the most frustrating aspect of independent practice?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: Would you consider including ancillary services in your practice? Which ancillary services would you consider?
Richard Kube, MD, Founder, CEO, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: We currently provide physical therapy, prescription dispensing, X-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, DME and surgical intervention in our facility. We have considered MRI, but our volume does not suffice to make that feasible. Really, our expansion is now venturing into hiring a variety of different providers.
Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, Co-Director, USC Spine Center, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles: Being at a university program, we don't develop ancillary services to generate a practice or personal profit. However, I think developing ancillary services that will make patient care safer, more consistent and easier for the patient is something that will be essential for the future.
With bundled payments and pay for performance coming into reality, I think it is critical for all spine surgeons to work with their institutions to better handle all aspects of patient care and the patient experience. Having protocols and pathways, and having the entire system integrated, will allow for more efficient use of resources and result in safer and more consistent patient care. I do not look at ancillary services as a source of revenue, but more of a more comprehensive integration of all the services that are going to be necessary for the care of the patient, and developing a system that allows for effective and efficient communication between all of the services, in order to provide the best patient experience.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: No, at this point there are too many regulations.
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