Stay ConnectedThe AAOS Now podcast is a monthly series that spotlights hotly debated issues and controversial trends in orthopaedic surgery. Each episode presents nuanced perspectives to inspire further discourse, inform your decision-making — and maybe even change your mind. Part of The Bone Beat Orthopaedic Podcast Channel.
Brought to you by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Copyright: © 2020-2023 American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. All rights reserved.
In this episode, returning guest and health policy researcher Brian Miller, MD, talks about the opportunity physicians have to improve care for patients outside of their regular practice. From engaging in advocacy efforts to lending their unique perspective in policy discussions, doctors can be instrumental in finding creative solutions to today’s challenges like artificial intelligence, vertically integrated systems and stark law reform.
Guest: Brian Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, Nonresident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
In this episode, we talk about the future of orthopaedics and the policy challenges facing our newest surgeons. Resident leader Kevin Weisz, MD, who recently attended the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., shares his perspective on issues such as prior authorization, safety in the workplace, as well as reimbursement.
Guest: Kevin Weisz, MD, Member, Health Policy Committee and PAC Executive Council
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
Now more than ever, physicians are experiencing instability and uncertainty in their payment reimbursement. This episode addresses the gap between physician reimbursements and the rising costs of running a medical practice continues to widen in addition to other important legislative issues.
Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) has been a champion for finding a long-term solution to put physicians back on level playing field with the rising costs of medicine. As a lead sponsor of Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) she’s helping to avoid a yearly race to get Congress to intervene and protect patients’ access to Medicare.
Guests: Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02)
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
As the shift towards value-based healthcare reform gains momentum, there will be major strategic and organizational changes to how care delivery is redesigned, measured, and reimbursed. This episode delves into the realm of value-based care, exploring fundamental concepts related to alternative payment models in clinical orthopaedics, and how Patient Reported Outcome Measures impact individual patient care, as well as their role in new population health measures with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Guests: Eric Makhni, MD, MBA, FAAOS with the Henry Ford Health
and Prakash Jayakumar, MD, PHD with the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
Episode Summary: The House of Delegates is the legislative and policy-making body within the American Medical Association (AMA). In this episode, orthopaedic surgeon and AMA Board of Trustees Member Dr. Michael Suk explains how the specialty is represented within the House of Medicine and how initiatives to advance the quality of musculoskeletal care are shared by both organizations.
More on the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians can be found here.
Guest: Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, FAAOS, Chair-elect, American Medical Association
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
Lengthy prior authorization processes delay care for patients and contribute to physician burnout. Using Texas as a case study, this episode explains how solutions like the federal version of the state’s GOLD Card law would streamline approvals for medically necessary care as well as make insurance requirements more electronic and transparent.
More on AAOS’ prior authorization advocacy efforts: aaos.org/advocacy/advocacy-action-center/prior-authorization
Previous podcast episode on prior authorization: aaos.org/publications/the-bone-beat-orthopaedic-podcast-channel/the-bone-beat-advocacy-podcast/episode-19
2023 Orthopaedic Advocacy Week: aaos.org/advocacy/get-involved/orthopaedic-advocacy-week
Guest: Christine Kean,COO, The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
Innovation in orthopaedic care faces stiff headwinds, but the relationships among stakeholders are not zero-sum. Following the in-person AAOS/FDA Townhall during the 2023 AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, leaders from both organizations sat down for an intimate conversation on the ways we can evolve together to improve patient care. They emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and reliable data to improve patient outcomes and shape the future of the field. Listen as we delve into the topic of innovation in orthopaedic medical devices, products and technology.
More from AAOS on devices. Biologics and technology: https://www.aaos.org/quality/biologics/
More on AAOS’ advocacy efforts: https://www.aaos.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy-issues/drugs-devices-and-fda/
Guests: David Jevsevar, MD, MBA, FAAOS, Chair of Research and Quality Council, AAOS; Captain Raquel Peat, PhD, MPH, Director, Office of Orthopedic Devices, FDA
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
The debate over the pros and cons of physician-owned hospitals has spanned over a decade. Now as momentum builds in Congress to repeal restrictions on their growth and expansion, this episode explains how they help meet a growing demand for services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and are an important piece of increasing competition in the healthcare delivery system.
Previous episode on physician-owned hospitals: https://www.aaos.org/publications/the-bone-beat-orthopaedic-podcast-channel/the-bone-beat-advocacy-podcast/episode-7/
Guest: Blake Curd, MD, FAAOS, Past President of Physician Hospitals of America
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
It has been two years since the No Surprises Act was passed into law, yet it continues to face numerous legal challenges and iterations of rulemaking with regards to implementation. This episode dives into the latest developments and discusses what is and is not working with a guest expert focused on independent dispute resolution for healthcare professionals.
More on AAOS Advocacy on this issue: https://www.aaos.org/advocacy/advocacy-action-center/surprise-billing/
Learn more about HaloMD: https://halomd.com/
Guest: Alla LaRoque, President, HaloMD
Host: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
In his last episode as podcast host and chair of the AAOS Advocacy Council, Dr. Douglas Lundy passes the torch to orthopaedic spine surgeon Dr. Adam Bruggeman. Recorded live at the 2023 Annual Meeting, Drs. Lundy and Bruggeman run through some of the most pressing issues threatening musculoskeletal care.
Guest: Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, Incoming Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
Host: Douglas Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, Outgoing Chair, AAOS Advocacy Council
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