Anesthesia Economics

Jim Bobeck: How the No Surprises Act is the Swiss Army Knife of Healthcare Reimbursement

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

Jim Bobeck, a healthcare dispute resolution expert, breaks down the No Surprises Act and why it's no longer just a new law — it's a permanent fixture in American healthcare. He explains how providers can use arbitration as a powerful tool for reimbursement disputes, contracting strategy, and negotiations with health plans. With cases growing from 200,000 in 2022 to an estimated 2.7 million in 2026, the stakes are only getting higher. If your organization isn't paying attention to this yet, now is the time to start.

Explore the full episode here: https://www.medaxion.com/jim-bobeck-how-the-no-surprises-act-is-the-swiss-army-knife-of-healthcare-reimbursement

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Gary Keeling: Billing for a Perioperative Medicine Clinic

Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Gary Keeling, Vice President of Anesthesia Services at Coronis Health, a veteran CPA, shares how perioperative medicine clinics can transform anesthesia finances by structuring them as separate entities with their own tax IDs, CPT/EM billing, and financial statements. Using real hospital examples, he shows how modest per-case EM revenue, reduced cancellations, and better OR utilization can generate hundreds of thousands in new revenue and significantly reduce anesthesia subsidies while using largely existing staff and resources.

Explore the full episode here: https://www.medaxion.com/gary-keeling-billing-for-a-perioperative-medicine-clinic

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Bellinger Moody: CMS TEAM — Alternative Payment: Transforming Episode Accountability Model

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

In this episode, Bellinger Moody explains the TEAM model. The Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) is a new mandatory CMS alternative payment model that holds hospitals financially accountable for surgical episodes from the operation through 30 days post-discharge, shifting care from fee-for-service to value-based care and tying bonuses or penalties to cost and quality performance over a five-year period starting in 2026.

The episode-based bundled payments, composite quality scores, and escalating upside/downside risk make perioperative medicine clinics critical for pre-op optimization, standardizing pathways, reducing cancellations, preventing post-acute cost overruns, and serving as a data backbone so hospitals can control episodes instead of absorbing CMS paybacks.

Explore the full episode here: https://www.medaxion.com/bellinger-moody-cms-team-alternative-payment-transforming-episode-accountability-model

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Dr. Chris Steel: Reframing the Perioperative Visit

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Steel explores how perioperative medicine and pre-op clinic models can reduce cancellations, improve optimization, and support patient-centered care while remaining financially sustainable.

Dr. Steel walks through four models from day-of-surgery assessments to fully integrated perioperative health clinics, highlighting the role of AI, nurses, APNs, and physicians in screening and optimization.

He also explains how proper setup and billing for EM, advanced care planning, and related services can transform pre-op clinics from “money pits” into self-sustaining programs.

Explore the full episode page here: https://www.medaxion.com/dr-chris-steel-reframing-the-perioperative-visit

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

David Donnelly: Anesthesia Structure & Staffing Considerations

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

David Donnelly breaks down what health systems need to consider when moving anesthesia services in-house. Drawing on experience across 50+ transitions, he shares practical lessons on financial modeling, workforce retention, revenue cycle challenges, and operational readiness. The conversation also highlights common pitfalls, including hidden payer rate issues, staffing gaps, and unexpected cost increases. With real-world examples and audience insights, this episode offers a grounded look at what it actually takes to make insourcing work and where organizations often get it wrong.

Explore the full episode here: https://www.medaxion.com/david-donnelly-trinity-healthcare-providers-anesthesia-structure-staffing-considerations

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Joseph Rodrigo, DO, FAOCA: To Employ or Not to Employ?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode, special guest host Mike Wirth (Chief Growth Officer at Medaxion) sits down with Joe Rodrigo, DO, FAOCA of ProMedical to break down one of the biggest questions facing healthcare leaders today: should hospitals employ anesthesiologists or outsource? Dr. Rodrigo shares why the answer isn’t as simple as it seems, explaining the hidden costs, operational challenges, and long-term risks of employment models. They also discuss private equity’s role in rising costs and why many systems regret rushing into major staffing decisions. This conversation offers a practical look at how healthcare leaders can avoid costly missteps and make more informed decisions.

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/dr-joseph-rodrigo-promedical-anesthesia-staffing

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Aaron Stewart: Changing the Math on the Anesthesia Stipend | Live from the Anesthesia Economics Summit

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

In this conversation, Jeff talks with Aaron Stewart, CFO of Symmetry Anesthesia, who breaks down how anesthesia coverage models are evolving and why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for hospitals.

Aaron explains how financial modeling helps facilities understand cost drivers, structure care teams, and make more informed decisions. The discussion highlights the shift toward physician-CRNA models, the realities of provider shortages, and why controlling costs matters more than simply reducing them. Stewart also shares how scale, staffing flexibility, and market dynamics shape where and how anesthesia groups can succeed.

Explore our full episode page to watch a video or read a transcript of the full interview: https://www.medaxion.com/aaron-stewart-symmetry-anesthesia-cfo-on-changing-the-math-on-the-anesthesia-stipend

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Driving Effectiveness for the Next Generation of Anesthesia Leadership | Live from the Anesthesia Economics Summit

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

As the anesthesia landscape continues to evolve, leaders are being challenged to navigate a complex mix of workforce shortages, rising costs, shifting care models, and increasing demand across settings.

In this panel discussion, industry leaders share how they are approaching leadership in this environment by balancing clinical excellence with financial sustainability, while adapting to constant change.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

Leading anesthesia teams through workforce and market disruption
Aligning clinical, operational, and financial priorities
Adapting to shifting site-of-care dynamics and demand patterns
Building resilient, high-performing teams
The evolving role of leadership in anesthesia organizations

As pressures continue to mount across the healthcare system, this conversation offers a real-world look at how leaders are positioning their organizations for what’s next.

Panelists:

Jeff Peters, Sullivan Consulting (Moderator)
Tom Rossi, Jackson Physician Search
Joseph Rodrigo, DO, ProMedical
Mark Wimberly, MD, Trident Anesthesia Group

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/driving-effectiveness-for-the-next-generation-of-anesthesia-leadership

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Meeting the Rising Demand for Anesthesia Beyond the OR | Live from the Anesthesia Economics Summit

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

As demand for anesthesia services continues to rise, care is expanding far beyond the traditional operating room. From endoscopy suites and interventional radiology to procedural and outpatient settings, health systems are being challenged to deliver safe, efficient anesthesia coverage across a growing range of environments.

In this panel discussion, industry leaders explore how organizations are adapting to this shift by rethinking staffing models, care delivery, and operational strategy to meet demand wherever it occurs.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

Expanding anesthesia coverage beyond the OR
Balancing staffing across procedural and non-OR settings
Managing throughput, scheduling, and resource allocation
Maintaining quality and consistency across diverse care environments
The operational and financial implications of distributed anesthesia demand

As anesthesia demand continues to outpace supply, this conversation offers a real-world look at how leading organizations are evolving to keep up.

Panelists:

Patty Carey, Bon Secours (Moderator)
Clint Stewart, Self Regional Healthcare
Tom Wherry, MD, Scope Concepts
Mark Carithers, MD, Prisma Health

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/meeting-the-rising-demand-for-anesthesia-beyond-the-or

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Anesthesia Staffing Strategies That Work | Live from the Anesthesia Economics Summit

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This episode of the Anesthesia Economics Podcast was recorded live at the Anesthesia Economics Summit in Charleston.

As anesthesia groups and health systems face ongoing staffing shortages, rising costs, and increasing operational complexity, traditional staffing models are no longer enough.

In this panel discussion, industry leaders break down what’s actually working today, from flexible locum tenens strategies to hybrid employment models, and discuss how organizations are balancing cost, culture, and continuity of care.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

Aligning providers across employed and contracted models
Reducing turnover and improving retention
Navigating compensation pressure and workforce shortages
Using data to drive smarter staffing and operational decisions

Whether you're leading an anesthesia group, managing perioperative services, or navigating staffing challenges at the health system level, this conversation offers a grounded look at how to build more sustainable, high-performing teams.

Panelists:

David Donnelly, Trinity Health Advisors (Moderator)
Stephen Porter, Piedmont Healthcare
Todd Horowitz, DO, Hospital Staffing Partners
Spencer Lilly, Medaxion

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/successful-anesthesia-staffing-strategies

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Dr. Michael R. Hicks: Sleep Walking or Wide Awake: Why It's Time to Do Things Differently

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Dr. Michael R. Hicks, President of Anesthesia Services at HCA Healthcare, breaks down the growing challenges in anesthesia, from workforce shortages to rising financial pressures. He explains why “hope is not a strategy” and outlines the need for health systems to rethink how anesthesia resources are allocated. The conversation explores the shift toward non-operating room settings, the importance of system-wide coordination, and how culture, flexibility, and leadership play a critical role in building sustainable anesthesia models.

Learn more: https://www.medaxion.com/dr-michael-r-hicks-hca-healthcare-president-anesthesia-services

Jeff McLaren introduces the speakers and panelists whose discussions were recorded live at the 2026 Anesthesia Economics Summit.

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Randy Moore, CRNA, DNP, MBA: Inside Anesthesia

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode of Anesthesia Economics, Jeff McLaren sits down with Randy Moore, Chief Anesthetist Officer at NorthStar Anesthesia, for a candid conversation on the forces reshaping anesthesia. They unpack payer pressure, workforce shortages, subsidy shock, ASC disruption, and the growing divide between advocacy groups. Randy shares why cultural debt is costing organizations more than they realize, how avoidance compounds in leadership, and why data-driven OR strategy is essential in today’s margin-tight environment. A sharp, honest look at economics, leadership, and the future of anesthesia.

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/randy-moore-northstar-anesthesia

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Daniel Prevost: A Primer on Anesthesia Stipends

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode of Anesthesia Economics, Jeff McLaren is joined by Daniel Prevost, Medaxion’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, to break down why anesthesia stipends have become such a critical issue. They focus on the revenue side of the equation, exploring how scale, regulation, arbitration, and documentation gaps have reshaped anesthesia revenue cycle management. The conversation highlights why anesthesia billing is fundamentally different from other specialties, where revenue leakage occurs, and how better data capture and systems are essential to closing financial gaps without compromising care.

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/daniel-prevost-a-primer-on-anesthesia-stipends

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.

Bob Johnson: The Timeline of Anesthesia Economics

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0600

In this episode, host Jeff McLaren sits down with Bob Johnson, Medaxion’s SVP for Anesthesia Operations, to unpack why anesthesia economics feel uniquely urgent right now. They explore the demand supply imbalance, exploding subsidy pressures on hospitals and surgery centers, and how time-based billing shaped both reimbursement and operational insight in anesthesia. The conversation also looks at the ripple effects of insourcing, the challenge of benchmarking, and how better data visualization and staffing intelligence can help leaders define and deliver “good anesthesia” at scale.

Explore the full episode page: https://www.medaxion.com/bob-johnson-timeline-of-anesthesia-economics

Watch on YouTube. Learn more about Medaxion's solutions.