2012 MPFS presents problems for orthopaedics

Matthew Twetten, MA

The 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule, released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Oct. 27, 2011, did not contain good news—especially for orthopaedists.

No deal on deficit

As this issue of AAOS Now went to press, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction acknowledged that it failed to reach a bipartisan deficit reduction agreement. As a result, $1.2 trillion in across-the-board cuts to federal spending will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. These cuts include a potential 2 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursements.

Reporting repeat procedures in the global period

Margaret M. Maley, BSN, MS

Occasionally, a procedure may need to be repeated. Reporting the repeated service may be confusing, especially if performance of the repeated procedure takes place during the global period of the original case. This is a situation that calls for use of a modifier appended to the repeated service. The modifier 76 is used to indicate a “repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional.”

Orthopaedic surgeons and PAs: Best practices

By Ann Davis, PA-C, and Tricia Marriott, PA-C, MPAS Teamwork benefits patients, practices, and physicians During the last decade, the number of physician assistants (PAs) in the United States has nearly doubled. Today, more than 83,000 PAs work in a variety of medical practices, including orthopaedics. More than 10 percent of all PAs report working in orthopaedic surgery, proof that orthopaedic surgeons are taking advantage of the multiple ways that PAs add value to a practice.

The ABCs of an effective deposition

Paul E. Weathington

Regardless of the reason for the lawsuit, as the defendant physician you will need to thoroughly prepare for your deposition. The plaintiff’s attorney has wide latitude to ask questions. Your attorney will make objections and give you counsel as necessary. Your testimony becomes a part of the record, and any inconsistencies between your deposition and trial testimony may be used to undermine your credibility. The following tips will help you give an effective deposition.

You have been sued—Part 2

David Teuscher, MD; Douglas W. Lundy, MD

Tips for defendant doctors Negligence cases are won and lost on expert witness testimony. It gives the jury the scientific and factual basis for the “standard of care” and provides them with the information needed to determine whether that standard has been violated by an act of omission (something should have been done but wasn’t) or an act of commission (something should not have been done but was).

Medical liability reform: Is alternative dispute resolution the answer?

David H. Sohn, JD, MD; S. Jay Jayasankar, MD

The AAOS Position Statement on Medical Liability Reform outlines the challenges of the current medical liability system, and sets forth principles for reform, introducing them by stating, “The AAOS believes that broad reforms are necessary to compensate negligently injured patients promptly and equitably, enhance patient–physician communication, facilitate improvement of patient safety and quality of care, reduce defensive medicine and wasteful spending, decrease liability costs, and improve pat