Buyer Beware of Foreign Drugs, Devices

John E. Kelly, JD; Matthew M. Curley, JD

Perhaps more than ever before, physicians are being inundated with fax and Internet advertising by foreign pharmacies selling prescription drugs and medical devices. Often, the prices are well below those set by the physician’s usual domestic drug and device suppliers.

Understanding Your Employment Contract

Jennifer B. Mehta, JD

After 5 years of residency plus 1 year of fellowship, you uproot your family and move across the country for a promising employment opportunity. Once there, you dive full force into your practice. You perform your duties as expected, generate income for the practice, and quickly build both a patient base and a formidable reputation. One morning, without warning, you are called into a partner’s office and terminated. Blindsided, you wonder, “Can this happen?”

Frequently Asked Coding Questions

Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC

This column addresses recently asked questions on coding orthopaedic procedures. Remember, you can direct specific coding questions to the AAOS for review by the Coding, Coverage, and Reimbursement Committee and AAOS staff. Visit www.aaos.org/coding for more coding information. Injections with ultrasound guidance Q: Can the ultrasound guidance CPT code—76942—be reported when the physician performs a major joint injection (CPT code 20610) using ultrasound guidance?

A Tax-Advantaged Way to Protect Your Assets

Erica Smith

Erica Smith You have spent your entire life building your savings. You deserve to be able to enjoy them! But what if you require long-term care at some point? Today, the annual cost of many nursing homes exceeds $100,000, and has been steadily increasing. If you required long-term care, would these costs deplete your savings? What is long-term care insurance?

What You Need to Know about the HIPAA Omnibus Rule

Todd A. Rodriguez, Esq

On Jan. 25, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the “HIPAA Omnibus Rule,” a set of final regulations modifying the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Enforcement Rules to implement various provisions of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.

Good Governance and the Private Physician Group

Neal Goldstein; Deborah Gordon

Private group practices are at a crossroads due to the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Issues such as payment reform, capital investment, and technology are causing many private practice physicians to reevaluate their futures. For some, the future is in hospital employment and they will consider selling their practices. Those who choose to remain independent will face both obstacles and opportunities.

Is a Clinical Comanagement Agreement Right for Your Practice?

Maureen Leahy

The main reason that orthopaedic surgeons are turning to hospital and health system employment is uncertainty about healthcare reform, according to John Fink, senior manager at ECG Management Consultants.

Don’t Be Late for a Very Important Date

The transition to coding with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition—otherwise known as ICD-10—begins on Oct. 1, 2014, less than 15 months away. Unfortunately, a recent AAOS survey of orthopaedic practices found that just 1.5 percent of respondents have trained all relevant staff and are preparing for ICD-10, while 37.5 percent of respondents indicated that some staff have received some training and are preparing for ICD-10.

Pain Meds Present Problems

David H. Sohn, JD MD

Widespread use of narcotic pain medication in orthopaedic surgery is risky—not only to patients, but to prescribing physicians as well—according to a group of experts assembled for the AAOS webinar on “Risk Evaluation and Management Strategies For Prescribing Opioids.” The webinar focused on the increasing risks and regulations surrounding the prescription of narcotic pain medication in orthopaedic surgery. Moderated by Thomas B.