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OrthoForum Members Discuss Direct Anterior Approach for THA is the future

Why the direct anterior approach for THA is the future

Orthopaedic surgeons consider several factors before performing total hip replacement, including which approach to use. Traditional hip replacements typically involve operating from the lateral or posterior of the hip, which often results in significant joint and connective tissue agitation.

The direct anterior approach is a minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery option. With this technique there is also less muscle trauma, smaller incisions, less pain, as well as a faster recovery post operation.

Thomas Ellis, MD, of Columbus, Ohio-based Orthopedic One; Coleman Fowble, MD, of Columbia, S.C.-based Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery; and John Masonis, MD, of Charlotte, N.C.-based of OrthoCarolina, all members of The OrthoForum, discuss why they have adopted the direct anterior approach for THA and the benefits they’ve seen.

The three agree that the direct anterior approach has provided successful outcomes and faster recovery time for patients over previous, traditional methods.

An X Ray of a hip joint problem

 

To read the full article and interview, visit http://www.beckersspine.com/.

OrthoForum Working to Represent Interests of Orthopedic Surgeons

Conference meeting

In a recent article featured on Healio.com, Anthony A. Romeo, MD, references The OrthoForum;

The business of orthopedic care is managed by the health system, and at its discretion, information is shared to the department leadership. However, this information is often processed in a way that does not accurately provide a clear understanding of the balance sheet, usually focusing on the expense side but not the revenue side.

 

National physician specialty organizations, such as The OrthoForum whose membership includes the largest privately owned orthopedic practices in the United States, will de-identify and share data among the membership… With this information, it is then possible to recognize expenses that can be managed and reduced, such as moving outpatient surgical cases from the hospital setting to the ambulatory surgery center setting.

Romeo stresses that now more than ever is an opportune time to come together to define priorities and work towards representing the best interest of all practicing orthopedic surgeons. These efforts can provide care in the most appropriate environments, and at the highest value for patients.

Read the full article.

OrthoForum Presents at the 2015 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference

Photo courtesy of AAOS

On Friday, May 1, Michael McCaslin, Principal of Somerset CPAs, P.C., and Glenn Sumner, CEO of OrthoTennessee and OrthoForum President, presented at the 2015 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference on the future of private practice. Aside from their National Annual Meeting, this conference is one of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ largest and most influential gatherings, with representation from leaders from across the country.

As orthopaedics continues to shift to outpatient care (over 70% of all orthopaedic surgery cases are now outpatient), we understand the importance of evaluating how private practices currently operate and how to productively face challenges as we move toward an evolving care delivery model for musculoskeletal services.

McCaslin and Sumner outlined how to address and meet those hurdles by presenting an analysis of five pillars essential to ensure the future of private orthopaedic practices, and by explaining how OrthoTennessee specifically has employed them for the continued success of its orthopaedic group.

  • Growth – Growth helps maintain your relevancy and competitiveness- when strong and well-coordinated practice governance structures are put in place. Dictate your role in the care delivery process. Find a management and economic model that works for you and the future of your patients. Size does matter.
  • Ancillaries – More efficient use of in-office ancillaries is a way to ensure your recruitment game, revenue streams, and cost per patient, allowing you to stay competitive. Now in bundled payment arrangements they are critical to better patient scheduling/patient flow, more cost effective rehab and improved care coordination through nurse navigators.
  • Alignment – Working with hospitals on everything from cost management, staffing efficiencies and process improvement to quality of care, care coordination, outreach and patient satisfaction ensures longevity and strengthens partnerships for an overall more streamlined, successful structure of care.
  • Operational Excellence – Analyzing jobs and potentially redesigning workflow can yield tremendous operational improvements. Prepare for greater use of technology by patients and for different types of providers seeing patients, in addition to evaluating resource allocation to various payer categories.
  • Quality Initiatives – The continued struggle to agree on a definition of what constitutes true quality hasn’t tempered the need to collect and analyze more relevant outcomes metrics. Going forward we need to be especially sensitive to payers and employers regarding those measures they believe are important, particularly those that also reduce costs.

The overarching theme of change set the stage for the well-received presentation.. For better or worse, we know the payment system is rapidly changing from fee-for-service to fee-for-value. Will we be ready?

“This is an exciting time for the OrthoForum, and orthopaedic practices in general, as we make strides to improve the structure and quality of care with initiatives like BPCI and other value-based payment arrangements. The OrthoForum is establishing itself as a thought leader in orthopaedic practice management and this presentation was further evidence of that fact,” says Sumner. “Embracing industry changes through the power of our collective practice management wisdom will benefit all private practices , helping them prepare for for innovation, quality, and growth needed in an evolving health care landscape.”

We at the OrthoForum are honored to have had the opportunity to speak to such a distinguished group of industry leaders. This is yet another example of how our relationship with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons continues to strengthen and grow.

To view the full presentation and other presentations, click here.

Orthopaedic Providers Rejoice as SGR Repeal Makes Waves

On Tuesday, April 14, the Senate approved the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2) in a 92-8 vote, meeting much applause from orthopaedic providers and the American Association for Orthopaedic Surgeons. The bill was then signed by President Obama on Thursday, April 16. The momentous move on behalf of the Senate culminates in the permanent repeal of SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate), signifying a move to ensure better Medicare patient care and the end to what would have been 21-percent Medicare payment cuts to providers. MACRA repealed and replaced the SGR and extended CHIP for two years.

As orthopaedic providers, we at The OrthoForum welcome the end of the SGR formula and the transition to a more functional system based on “quality, value and accountability”. Medicare patients, particularly the vast senior population which rely on orthopaedic care, will now more consistently receive the caliber of care they need at lower costs. This impactful measure will result in a long-awaited, much more streamlined Medicare process, from reporting to payment policies and overall care quality. Providers of all forms have called for an overhaul of the inefficient SGR formula to a value-based system for years, and orthopaedic providers in particular consider this a historic moment in health care legislation.

SGR repeal marks an era of new standards and the significant beginning to the development of delivery and payment models that provide physicians with the flexibility to voluntarily choose options appropriate to their patients and practice. The repeal will improve health care across a broad spectrum, setting the precedent for value-based care in which best practices and quality are rewarded, while allowing patients access to alternative ways to pay for care. This is something we have long fought for, and is certainly seen as a triumph for providers and patients alike.

Read more…

Bipartisan Senate ends flawed Medicare payment formula

BREAKING: President Obama Signs SGR Repeal Legislation, Shifting Medicare Physician Payment Incentives

Good Riddance To One Of Congress’ Dumbest Rituals: The ‘Doc Fix’

 

 

Aetna Announces Planned Merger with Humana

Last month, Aetna announced its proposition to acquire Humana, which would make Aetna the second largest insurer in the country. Because of Humana’s large share of Medicaid Advantage customers, this signifies a landmark health merger, which would bring Aetna’s total Advantage members to approximately 4.4 million.

Bruce D. Broussard, president and CEO of Humana had this to say about the merger:

“Through the use of technology and integrated services to simplify the consumer experience, the combined entity will be even more effective in meeting the health needs of many more people–especially people with chronic conditions, who will benefit from Humana’s home health, pharmacy management and data analytics programs.”

Together, Aetna and Humana hope to make strides in changing healthcare delivery, creating a more consumer-focused marketplace. Following SGR Repeal in April, this news may be an indicator of future stability and growth in the industry overall, in addition to a shift for reduced care costs and efficiency.

“A key thing for larger orthopaedic providers to take away from this merger and several others to follow is leverage. Larger providers will have more leverage in negotiations,” says OrthoTennessee CEO Glenn Sumner. “In this changing healthcare climate, all orthopaedic providers need to continue to evaluate their care models and strategy, while looking for ways to remain competitive and improve quality.”

Read more about the Aetna-Humana merger from Aetna here.