ASA Responds to U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Republicans, Highlights Perioperative Surgical Home™ Model of Care Coordination

In a formal response letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means Republicans regarding alternatives to the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, ASA emphasized anesthesiologists' leadership in improving patient safety and urged Congressional consideration of the Perioperative Surgical Home™ model of care coordination. The model strives to optimize the care of patients undergoing surgery by the increased integration of anesthesiologists throughout the perioperative period. 

The ASA response letter also highlighted the ASA Closed Claims Project, which has served as an important tool in helping anesthesiologists improve safety and quality. In addition, information about anesthesia related measures and evidence based guidelines such as ASA Standards, ASA Guidelines, ASA Statements and ASA Practice Parameters was presented to the Committee.

ASA also took the opportunity to inform the Committee that, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Medicare payments for anesthesia services represent only 33 percent of the commercial insurance payment rates for the same service. This disparity is commonly referred to as the anesthesia "33 percent problem."

The ASA letter can be viewed here.