BPCI, CJR, and Other Emerging Payment Models in Orthopaedics

Elizabeth Fassbender

With the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) program set to start on April 1, 2016, the AAOS Annual Meeting symposium "Bundled and Emerging Payment Models in Orthopaedics" provided a unique opportunity to evaluate current programs and discuss impending changes in reimbursement. AAOS immediate Past-President provided an overview of the symposium, while Kevin J.

The Role of Integrated Practice Units in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions

Karl M. Koenig, MD, MS; Aakash Keswani, BS; Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA

In today's changing healthcare climate, new terminology around value-based care is emerging. Value-based payment has quickly moved to the forefront of the discussion in response to goals set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which aim to transition the majority of payments away from traditional fee-for-service (FFS). Value-based payments include bundles and mandated alternative payment models such as the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) program.

Discharging a Disruptive Patient

Gail S. Chorney, MD

In the course of practicing medicine, many providers have to deal with patients who do not comply with instructions or who become upset because they can't have requested testing or treatment on demand. Although these patients may be frustrating to deal with at times, the best approach is always to focus on improved communication and education. These patients usually come to an understanding about the proposed recommendations or seek opinions elsewhere.

ICD-10 Coding for Nontraumatic (Acquired) Spine Diagnoses

Michael R. Marks, MD, MBA; Margaret M. Maley, RSN, BSN

Since the introduction of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10), several questions have been asked about coding for diagnoses as related to acquired (atraumatic) disorders of the spine. This article covers a few of the most common scenarios. Documentation specificity Q: I understand that many spinal conditions have greater anatomic differentiation under ICD-10. Do I really need to use this increased specificity in documentation and diagnosis coding?

Taking the Pulse of Orthopaedic Medical Liability

Thomas B. Fleeter, MD; Stephanie Hazlett, MPH; Angela Buckley, MPA

On a regular basis, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) Medical Liability Committee surveys AAOS members on their medical liability insurance and their exposure to potential lawsuits. The 2015 Medical Liability Survey was conducted during October and November 2015. The 17-question survey was designed by the committee with the help of the AAOS department of research and scientific affairs. A total of 540 surveys were returned, for a response rate of nearly 20 percent.

The Healthcare Value Equation

Cindy Bracy, MPH, RHIA, CCS-P

Orthopaedic surgeons are facing a multitude of challenges. Government mandates affecting payment structure, coding classification, and performance evaluation have changed the focus of practicing medicine.