Cooperative efforts help avert big Medicare payment cuts

Robert C. Fine, JD, CAE

Orthopaedists can breathe a collective sigh of relief about a bad situation that would have been much worse without cooperative action by the AAOS and orthopaedic specialty societies. The big story: Hip and knee In a dramatic reversal of its original proposal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decided not to slash, by double-digit percentages, Medicare fees for several top orthopaedic procedures.

AAOS advocacy advances to next level

Sally Chapralis

In 2007, AAOS advocacy efforts on behalf of physicians and patients will be more focused than ever before. Plans include new, targeted advocacy initiatives, an energized and growing Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (PAC) that will build on previous Congressional successes, and ways to generate stronger state participation and increased cooperation. David A.

Getting your share of the CMS P4P 2007 bonus payments

The program is still voluntary, but is the payoff enough to elicit physician participation? By Robert H. Haralson III, MD, MBA Pay-for-performance (P4P) is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a reality. Spurred by double-digit increases in medical costs during the past few years and a perception of less-than-stellar-quality medicine practiced in the United States, many payors have developed P4P programs, even though their success in reducing costs and increasing quality is unclear.

State legislatures act on tort reform, POPTS, prompt payment

Tort reform Although Florida’s constitution was amended to limit attorney fees in malpractice cases, lawyers have been asking clients to sign agreements that waived these guarantees. In response, the Florida Medical Association will issue physicians a waiver form asking patients to agree not to sue for more than $250,000 in noneconomic damages if anything goes wrong. In Illinois, caps on noneconomic damage awards passed last year are now being challenged.

There is power in numbers—as well as in knowledge

the Washington Health Policy Fellows

As specialty physicians, orthopaedists embrace medical progress and effectively incorporate these advances into everyday practice. However, we have been slow to influence and understand the health policy consequences of these advances. The mission of the AAOS is to properly educate orthopaedic surgeons on medical advancements to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality care.