"AAI TOOK US AS WE WERE – 11 VERY INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS – IT WAS A DIFFICULT TASK TO ORGANIZE US INTO A SINGLE ENTITY, YET THEY HAD THE PATIENCE WE NEEDED."

Brandt Foreman, MD, Former Board President
Coast Anesthesia Medical Group, San Jose, California

Their Challenge:

In 2003 Coast Anesthesia Medical Group was a fiercely independent, loosely-affiliated group of physicians. When the practice's board president, Brandt Foreman, looked into the future, he saw they could be stronger together and committed to seeing the practice move toward financial integration. Underlying his vision was a genuine respect for his fellow anesthesiologists and the patience to see the group through a long-term effort.

At the time, Coast Anesthesia Medical Group lacked the accurate and relevant historical data they needed to negotiate with hospitals and payors. They recognized too that the right information would help solidify the benefits of full physician partnership. The decision to hire AAI was driven by AAI's solid reputation in billing and collections and their ability to provide information the practice needed. AAI was also willing to help the practice as they moved toward integration.

Their Solution:

When AAI began working with Coast Anesthesia Medical Group, billing of patients and payors lacked structure and consistency. As the group moved toward financial integration, AAI:

• Helped the group work through corporate structure and governance issues.
• Answered questions and problem-solved issues related to integration.
• Established fair and effective billing strategies.
• Pursued difficult collection issues the physicians faced.
• Provided access to reliable practice information to support negotiations with hospitals and payors.
• Helped set up the group's compliance program.
• Created a pooled-compensation plan customized to their needs.

Their Results:

After 18 months as an AAI client, Coast Anesthesia Medical Group was fully integrated in a way that was consistent with their values of joint decision-making and fairness.

In addition to a smooth running practice, Foreman acknowledges AAI's ability to "pursue difficult collections and do it well." The practice serves one of the area's last not-for-profit community hospitals and has seen a significant increase in uninsured and underinsured patients. According to Foreman, "AAI is able to strike a balance between effective collections and keeping our patients satisfied. Patient complaints have dropped dramatically since AAI began billing for us."

"I'M IMPRESSED WITH HOW RESPONSIVE AAI IS."

Brandt Foreman, MD, Former Board President
Coast Anesthesia Medical Group, San Jose, California