Orthopaedic Practices Face Mounting Financial Pressures

Jennie McKee

Many private orthopaedic practices may find significant challenges to maintaining financial solvency in the future, according to research presented during the 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting by Alberto D. Cuellar, MD. Dr. Cuellar’s Scientific Poster, “The Economic Conundrum of Private Practice Orthopaedic Surgery,” was selected as the overall best poster by the Central Program Committee. The study analyzes more than a decade of historical financial data from a multispecialty orthopaedic group.

Getting Ready for ICD-10

Rockford Orthopedic Associates is moving forward Although many orthopaedic practices may be crying, “Say it isn’t so!”, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that on Oct. 1, 2014, the codes used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures—currently the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD-9)—will be replaced by ICD-10 code sets. Orthopaedic practices, therefore, have approximately 15 months to make the transition.

The Differences Between Modifiers 51 and 59

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

One of the most frequently asked question about modifiers is “When do I use modifier 51 and when do I use modifier 59?” This article differentiates the use of these modifiers when two or more procedures are performed on the same day. About modifier 51 Modifier 51 (multiple procedures) is used to inform payers that two or more procedures are being reported on the same day.

The Key to Meaningful Use

How one orthopaedic practice earned $342,000 in Medicare incentive payments Because the meaningful use program was defined with primary-care physicians in mind, participation by specialists has been challenging. But more than 9,000 orthopaedists have successfully attested and earned incentive payments.

Asset Protection for Orthopaedic Surgeons

David P. Leibowitz, JD

I frequently counsel physicians and other high net worth individuals who are facing substantial legal claims.

The Average Return on “Marketing” Is Negative

Bill Champion

Why does a profession that relies on research and data to correctly diagnose, treat, and manage patients so rarely use research and data to plan, execute, and grow the practice? Consider the following studies. The first study looked at market research for 137 orthopaedic practices over a 12-month period. Practices had from 3 to 38 doctors, in all practice settings from all regions of the country.

Solving Conflicts without Litigation

Andrew Markiewitz, MD; William Hiller, MD; David H. Sohn, JD, MD; Thomas Fleeter, MD

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to a collection of nonlitigation means of resolving conflicts. Interest in ADR for medical liability has been fueled by the enormous cost and inefficiency of litigation as the primary means of resolving disputes. According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between $76 billion and $122 billion is spent per year on medical liability litigation, and yet plaintiffs receive less than 1 percent of this amount.