By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 2013 AAOS Hot Topic Review
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > 2013 AAOS Hot Topic Review
Policy & LawPublic Health

2013 AAOS Hot Topic Review

Andy Salmen
Last updated: April 26, 2013 7:33 am
Andy Salmen
Share
5 Min Read
AAOS HiS
SHARE

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently held its annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois from March 19 to 23, 2013.  There were lectures on advances and changes in medical and surgical procedures, exhibits by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers as well as small group seminars.  Here are three “hot” topics that emerged as being of exceptional current interest and importance to orthopedic surgeons.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently held its annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois from March 19 to 23, 2013.  There were lectures on advances and changes in medical and surgical procedures, exhibits by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers as well as small group seminars.  Here are three “hot” topics that emerged as being of exceptional current interest and importance to orthopedic surgeons.

AAOS HiS

Transition to an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

More Read

Protecting Seniors From the West Nile Virus
Online Reputation Management for Physicians: Putting Your Best Cyber-Foot Forward
Employers Encourage Healthy Choices by Hitting Your Wallet
No Lack of Self Esteem
Five Factors Improving the State of Mental Health Care

An ACO is a group of health care providers, including primary care physicians, specialists and hospitals as well as insurers, who join together to provide cost-effective quality care to Medicare patients.  Medicare offers several options for how an ACO program can be established.

The goal is to provide a high level of care while choosing wisely how the dollars are spent.  The plan is to avoid duplication of services with emphasis being placed on avoiding errors.  This new model of care will replace traditional fee-for-service billing with a pay-for-performance system.

There is some concern about how this will affect orthopedic surgeons.  Many specialists are worried that an ACO will have too many similarities to an HMO.  Specialists do not want to work in a system that requires pre-authorization for medical services by a non-medical administrator.

The AAOS plans on being very involved in the transition to ACOs.  The Academy is committed to insuring that care for patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems will not be compromised. 

Change to ICD-10 from the current ICD-9.

Beginning October 1, 2014, all medical billing for Medicare patients as well as for those who are privately insured, will have to be coded according to the ICD-10 format.  Any claims submitted under the 30 year old ICD-9 will not be processed.  There are more than eight times the number of ICD-10 codes than ICD-9.  This change will have a significant impact on your practice’s workflow, efficiency and revenue cycle.  You operations from front-desk, to clinical and billing will have to be trained and knowledgeable of the changes in order to have a smooth transition. 

The new codes require more specificity concerning the care provided and will require increased documentation in regards to the examination, treatment.  According to the AAOS, the transition affects orthopedics more than any other specialty.  For example, some procedures that previously had one code, under ICD-10, will have three or more codes.  Articles that will help in the transition to the new codes can be found here and here.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

At the Chicago AAOS convention, the newly elected president of the Academy, Joshua J. Jacobs, spoke about the PPACA.  Although it won’t be fully effective until January 1, 2014, Dr. Jacobs noted that the AAOS has always been committed to quality care and will meet the challenges of implementing health care reform under the PPACA.

There are changes under the PPACA effective in 2013 for orthopedic surgeons.  A 2.3% excise tax is now imposed on orthopedic devices such as joint replacements.  The tax is imposed on the revenues of manufacturers, not their profits.  As a result, some manufacturers have been cutting back on their number of employees and making fewer devices.  This in turn will make the devices that are available more expensive, a cost that may be passed on to the hospital, provider, insurance carrier and, eventually, the patient.

Another aspect of the PPACA is the number of people who will be covered by insurance will dramatically increase.  This means that more patients with orthopedic issues may be seeking care.  How well this care will be reimbursed is another issue which is yet to be determined.  This may also affect the ability to see an Orthopaedic surgeon.  Many are predicting doctor shortages and long waiting lists to schedule an appointment with a specialist. 

TAGGED:AAOSACOamerican academy of orthopedic surgeons
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

A Primer on the Economic Levers CMS Has To Improve Patient Satisfaction

October 6, 2012
Public Health

Happy Birthday “Silent Spring”

June 6, 2012

Continuing Physician Education: A Key Lynchpin in Quality Care

August 28, 2012

Strong success: Massachusetts Health Reform at 5 Years

April 12, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?