Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Telemedicine Coding in the Era of COVID-19

Michelle Abraham, MHA, CCS-P; Joanne Willer, CPC

Editor’s note: The information contained in this article was current as of June 2; coding guidance may have since been revised. For any updates, visit cms.gov or the AAOS Member Resource Center for the latest telemedicine coding guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do Bundled Payments Impact Patient Care or Satisfaction?

Gary W. Stewart, MD, FAAOS

Editor’s note: This article is the second part of a three-part series on a roundtable discussion about bundled payments. The final installment will appear in the July issue of AAOS Now, and the first installment was published in the May issue. AAOS Now welcomes comments from those in private practice or other settings to share their experience on this topic.

AAOE Survey Illustrates Evolving Overhead and Staffing Trends

Vicki Sprague, PhD

Managing overhead is critical for orthopaedic practices. Overhead must be monitored regularly to make sure that staff and other practice expenses support efficient practice workflows and positive patient experiences. Benchmarking Survey trends from the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives suggest that orthopaedic practices are effectively managing overhead expenses, while staffing patterns and outsourced service utilization change to meet patient needs and healthcare requirements.

Mandatory Requirements for Taking Call

Christopher Kontogianis, MD, FAAOS

Although many specialties are not required to be on emergency room (ER) call, surgical specialists are often still required to take call as a result of medical staff bylaws or employment contracts.

Tips for Selecting the Right EHR System

Jason Weisstein, MD, MPH, FAAOS, FACS

The process of choosing the right electronic health record (EHR) system for your practice has become increasingly important over the years. Some factors may be beyond our control when choosing an EHR.

Care Delivery Redesign for Bundled Payments: No Risk, No Reward

Harrison Miner, BA; Karl Koenig, MD, MS, FAAOS

There are many challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system, including fragmented care delivery and misaligned incentives. These problems show up everywhere we look and affect our daily work in a variety of ways.

Telemedicine Is Capable and Necessary to Move Forward

J. Gabriel Horneff III, MD, FAAOS

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of our lives and unexpectedly modified our practice as orthopaedic surgeons. As providers, one adjustment involves safer delivery of care through telemedicine. This is the lowest-risk medical access available to our patients.

Q & A Session Sheds Light on Coding Fractures

Sarah Wiskerchen, MBA, CPC

Fracture care is a “common denominator” service within orthopaedics—used in some way by every subspecialty. Despite years of use, they remain a common topic of questions from association members and their staffs.