AAOS Leaders Advocate for Legislation to Protect Patients and the Profession at Combined NOLC/Fall

As the adage goes, “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” In pursuit of a seat at the table, AAOS members traveled from around the country to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17 through 21 for the third annual Combined National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC)/Fall Meeting.

Final Chance to Prevent 2024 Pay Cuts

Adam J. Bruggeman, MD, MHA, FAAOS, FAOA

As we approach the end of the year, I want to reflect on AAOS’ advocacy efforts to reform Medicare payment policy and offer some insights on the path forward into 2024.

Second-victim Syndrome Can Trigger Debilitating Psychological Responses

Casey L. Wright, MD; Harold A. Fogel, MD, FAAOS

Orthopaedic surgeons are particularly susceptible to a phenomenon known as “second-victim syndrome.”

The Evolving ‘Front Door’ for MSK Patients: Is the Physician In?

Charles A. Bush-Joseph, MD, FAAOS

The use of digital care in orthopaedic offices is becoming more common. Although these innovations have increased patient satisfaction and outcomes, they have failed to decrease the cost of care.

The Digital ‘Front Door’: Is It Opening or Closing on Our Patients?

Karl Marc Koenig, MD, MS, FAAOS; Eric F. Swart, MD, FAAOS

As independent tradespeople, we must provide value for those with whom we are contracted—such as patients, insurers, large employer organizations, and the federal government. Unfortunately, these two “contracts” are not always aligned.

Coding for Vertebral Body Tethering for Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Kevin M. Neal, MD, MBA

A vertebral segment, as defined in the CPT manual, includes the complete bony elements of a vertebra but does not include the interval disks between vertebrae. In this case, the number of vertebral segments corresponds to the number of vertebral bodies instrumented anteriorly.

Coding Education OnDemand: Prior Authorization Webinar Available

The recording of the AAOS coding webinar titled “Prior Authorizations,” presented on Aug. 29 by Eric Stiefel, MD, FAAOS, and Noah Raizman, MD, FAAOS, is now available on the AAOS website.