charge masters

[Guest guest]

I am in a hospital based OP department that sees a large number of

orthopedic, sports medicine, and work comp patients. Over the years our

charges have increased on the IP side and thus the OP side. All charges

are identical for IP and OP. We cannot be competitive in the OP market

with these high prices. I have requested that the OP charges be lowered

and more competitive so we don't lose business to our competitors. We

do have some contracts with businesses for payment on work comp. The

problem is when a case manager or individual calls and wants to know our

daily average charge we have to tell them to truth. Our accounting firm

feels that we cannot have two different prices for the same services. I

explained that they are not the same services: one is acute and the

other is OP. The acuity of the patients is different. As we all know

the IP reimbursement is based upon DRG's, however what we charge to the

PT cost center for IP impacts the " revenue. "

Does anyone in a hospital based OP have two different charge structures?

Thanks--Sally Meadows

Director of Rehab

Branson, Missouri