Monthly Archives: March 2017

Today's Top Story ACP position paper argues that administrative tasks negatively affect patients and the healthcare system. A position paper released by the American College of Physicians (ACP) argues that an increasing number of administrative tasks has negatively affected physicians, patients, and the healthcare system as a whole. The writers offer a framework for analysis and outline steps for stakeholders to reduce and streamline administrative tasks. Among other things, ACP states that tasks "that are determined to have [...]

Today's Top Story CMS to phase out use of Social Security numbers for Medicare; providers will need to update EHRs. An article in Modern Healthcare notes that providers will need to change certain billing practices as the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) works to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare identification cards. The agency has mandated the removal to reduce risk of identity theft and fraud. According to a panel of experts assembled by the [...]

Today's Top Story ACA repeal bill withdrawn; next moves unclear. The New York Times reports that House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has withdrawn the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in the face of growing opposition from Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives. No vote on repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is currently planned. President Trump had previously stated that if the ACHA did not pass today, he would drop efforts to repeal the ACA. [...]

The AAOS unveiled its campaign to prevent opioid abuse during last week's Annual Meeting. You can get these at no charge for your office.  Just contact publicrelations@aaos.org.

Today's Top Story Study: Early administration of alendronate may help prevent bone loss after THA. Findings published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty suggest that early administration of alendronate may help prevent bone loss in the calcar region following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The research team conducted a prospective study of 60 consecutive patients with hip osteoarthritis who had undergone primary cementless THA and who were randomly assigned to receive alendronate (n = 20) or alfacalcidol (n = [...]

Today's Top Story CMS delays SHFFT implementation to Oct. 1. Modern Healthcare reports that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule that delays implementation of the Surgical Hip and Femur Fracture Treatment (SHFFT) model from July 1 to Oct. 1, 2017. The rule will be published in the Federal Register on March 21. Read more...(registration may be required) Read the rule… Other News MedPAC report agrees with specified payment increase [...]

Today's Top Story New AAOS Board members and council chair announced. At the AAOS Business Meeting during the 2017 AAOS Annual Meeting, AAOS President Gerald R. Williams Jr, MD, introduced the new members of the AAOS Board of Directors. They include the following: Kristy L. Weber, MD—Second vice-president Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, MS—Member-at-large Ronald A. Navarro, MD—Member-at-large Robert M. Orfaly, MD, FRCS—Board of Councilors secretary Dirk H. Alander, MD—Board of Specialty Societies secretary James J. Balaschak—Lay member Douglas [...]