Anesthesia Stipends – 2010: Performance Metrics Increasingly a Part of Stipend Agreements

摘要

Properly constructed stipend agreements between hospitals and anesthesia groups can produce important benefits for both parties. Anesthesia practices gain additional revenue which, among other things, can help defray costs associated with expanded coverage requirements. Hospitals, meanwhile, are assured of reliable, continuous and high-quality coverage. Establishing an appropriate stipend amount is the key to a successful stipend arrangement. Yet this process can be time-consuming and complex. A detailed understanding of the physician group’s expenses, staffing patterns and collection capabilities - along with data about the hospital’s current and future anesthesia service requirements - are just some of the elements required to calculate an equitable stipend amount. As stipend arrangements have become increasingly prevalent, they’ve continued to evolve and today, a growing number of agreements include provisions requiring practices to meet or exceed specific performance benchmarks to receive new or continued financial support. Anesthesia groups need to be aware of this trend and be prepared to play a proactive role in developing mutually agreed-upon performance metrics, should their hospital partner seek to impose them.