Overview

Anesthesiology Consultants Enterprises (ACE) is a provider-owned anesthesia practice in Louisville, Kentucky, that delivers state-of-the-art anesthesia services to a tertiary care hospital in Louisville. ACE employs an anesthesia care team model with board certified anesthesiologists and well-trained certified nurse anesthetists. ACE’s team is comprised of 10 Anesthesiologists and 22 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists dedicated to safety and the best outcome for their patients.

The Challenge

In 2007, the anesthesia providers were employed by the hospital. The hospital wanted Drs. Ken Thielmeier and Patrick Shanahan to start a provider group to cover the anesthesia needs at the facility. The doctors reached out to Knack RCM, to provide RCM, practice support, and
accounting services. Both parties agreed that it was a great fit and have worked together since July 1, 2007.

ACE turned to Knack RCM to:

  •  Negotiate the coverage and subsidy arrangement with the hospital
  • Secure all necessary payor contracts and provider numbers
  • Put together all business formation and employment documents
  • Set up optimized RCM processes
“MMI, a Knack RCM company, services helped us increase collections by 15% in year one compared to the RCM company that was doing the billing for the hospital.”
Kenneth A. Thielmeier, MD, FACC Anesthesiology Consultants Enterprises, PLLC

Solution

In setting up RCM, practice management, and accounting services for ACE, Knack provided a comprehensive solution that aided the group in moving from an employed model to private practice. It was truly a team effort
to secure the hospital agreement as well as start-up a private practice from start to finish.

In addition, Knack set up and optimized processes relating to:

  • Front controls to ensure appropriate charge capture of RCM processes
  • AAPC Certified Professional Coders to review, code, and audit all claims
  • Patient representatives specifically trained in anesthesia and pain management payment posting, correspondence review, and accounts receivable follow-up

Results

In partnership with Knack, ACE has maintained its initial hospital relationship for 17 years, with great success.

Their successful partnership has also resulted in:

0%
annual increase in collections in year 1
0%
net collection percentge
0-30
days in accounts receivable
0%
or higher score on compliance audits
“MMI, a Knack RCM company, is more than just a partner, they are part of our practice. Ryan Nunnelley and I work hand in hand to make sure our practice runs efficiently and effectively.”
Kenneth A. Thielmeier, MD, FACC Anesthesiology Consultants Enterprises, PLLC