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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2 0 1 4
and now there's only one, she says. "There was a time when it was 76¢
a vial, then it shot up to $14 — and sometimes we have to use 3 vials."
You can try to curb wasteful habits. Biologics, says Ms. Reiter, "cost a
fortune" and many surgeons are used to opening vials that contain
2.5cc (about $650) when a vial that contains 0.5cc (about $95) will suf-
fice. Her staff, too, is very aware of costs and is encouraged to speak
up if a physician appears on the verge of opening a larger vial than
needed.
Reimbursements
Spine centers are also feeling a pinch with payors who seem to be
looking for any excuse to deny claims, says Ms. Reiter. One wrong
code out of several may result in a denial for the whole procedure.
Ms. Reiter's center is taking a proactive approach, reevaluating and
trying to improve every step of the revenue cycle. Instead of responding
to denials after the fact, for example, she communicates with doctor's
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