Will Medicare Work in a Private-Sector World?

Vasanth Sathiyakumar, BA; A. Alex Jahangir, MD; William T. Obremskey, MD, MPH; Manish K. Sethi, MD

Medicare patients comprise a significant patient cohort for many orthopaedic surgeons. According to AAOS 2010 member census data, Medicare patients account for nearly one quarter of orthopaedic patients, and that percentage is even higher among generalists. For this reason, orthopaedic surgeons need to understand the impact of the various proposals for reforming Medicare. A key issue in the debate over reforming Medicare focuses on privatization to drive down healthcare costs. Rep.

Republicans Hold Tight to Party Line

Madeleine Lovette

Since 2010, the Republican Party has united under one goal: “Repeal and replace ‘Obamacare’.” It comes as no surprise then, that the 2012 Republican presidential candidates have pledged that no matter who wins the nomination, if a Republican is elected to office, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will be repealed. If the law is rescinded, however, do the candidates share the same unity on how—or whether—it should be replaced?

New Issues Guide Turns Everyone Into an Advocate

John T. Gill, MD

One of the charges of the Advocacy Resource Committee (ARC) is to develop educational materials “for those responsible” for advocating on legislative issues. The ARC believes it is the responsibility of every AAOS member to be involved in advocacy. If you and I do not fight for our patients and our practices, who will? Advocacy can be daunting, but with the right tools, every orthopaedic surgeon—including you—can be an effective advocate.

Help Wanted: Hospital-Employed Orthopaedists and State Societies

Gregory S. McDowell, MD; Angie Wade

Concerns that participation in state orthopaedic societies would not be a high priority for hospital-employed orthopaedic surgeons prompted the Board of Councilors (BOC) State Societies Committee to develop a 5-year strategic plan. One aspect of that plan was a survey of employed physicians, designed to identify the changing employment patterns among orthopaedic surgeons and the implications hospital employment of orthopaedists may have for state orthopaedic society membership.

Second Look—Advocacy

CMS delays 5010 enforcement The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will not enforce compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 5010 transaction set until after June 30, 2012. The transaction rule applies to providers who submit claims electronically. The postponement is in response to concerns about Medicare claims interruptions. FDA to discuss MoM implants The U. S.