Today’s Top Story
Reminder: July 1 deadline for hardship exemption applications under CMS EHR incentive program.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding providers that July 1, 2017 is the deadline to submit 2018 hardship exemption applications under meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). Providers who did not meet meaningful use in 2016 and who have not received a hardship exemption will incur a Medicare payment penalty beginning on Jan. 1, 2018. Hardship exemption applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on July 1, 2017 to be considered.
Learn more and access the application…
Other News
President nominates Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, for Surgeon General.
President Trump has nominated Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Adams is currently the Indiana State Health Commissioner, an assistant professor of clinical anesthesia at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and a staff anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Health, where he also chairs the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. In addition, Dr. Adams has served in the leadership of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the Indiana State Medical Association, and the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists. The nomination now moves to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.
Read more…
Read Dr. Adams’ official bio…
Study: Double-bundle ACL repair linked to reduced risk of graft failure.
Findings from a study published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine suggest that double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction may be associated with reduced likelihood of graft failure compared to single-bundle ACL reconstruction. The authors conducted a randomized, controlled trial of 90 patients treated with either double-bundle ACL reconstruction with bioabsorbable screw fixation (n = 30), single-bundle ACL reconstruction with bioabsorbable screw fixation (n = 30), or single-bundle ACL reconstruction with metallic screw fixation (n = 30). Of 81 patients available at 10-year follow-up, they found that one patient in the double-bundle cohort, seven patients in the single-bundle/bioabsorbable cohort, and three patients in the single-bundle/metallic cohort had experienced graft failure and undergone revision. Among the remaining 70 unrevised patients, the authors noted no significant difference across cohorts in pivot-shift test, KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, or International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm knee scores.
Read the abstract…
Survey: Many physicians say they are unprepared for QPP.
A survey conducted by AMA and auditing firm KPMG finds that fewer than one in four physicians feels well prepared to meet 2017 requirements under the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP). Researchers surveyed 1,000 practicing physicians and found that 51 percent of respondents who are involved in practice decision-making considered themselves to be somewhat knowledgeable about the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act and the QPP, while only 8 percent described themselves as “deeply knowledgeable” about the program and its requirements. In addition, 90 percent of respondents stated that reporting requirements were “somewhat” or “very” burdensome, with time required to report performance being the most significant challenge, followed by understanding requirements, how Merit-based Incentive Payment System performance is scored, and the cost required to accurately capture and report performance. HealthLeaders Media notes that the survey was conducted prior to recent changes to the 2018 proposed rule, which would exempt certain physician practices from MACRA reporting requirements.
Read more…
Read the AMA/KPMG statement…
July AAOS Now is available electronically now and in your mailbox soon!
AAOS members will soon receive the print edition of the July issue of AAOS Now, but the electronic edition is already available on the AAOS Now website and on iOS and Android devices through the AAOS Access app. This month’s issue includes a look at arm abnormalities in pediatric baseball pitchers, information on the opioid epidemic, an article on American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery examination development, and much more!
Read more…
Read “Abnormal Elbow Findings Identified in Little League Throwers”…
Read “Addressing the Opioid Epidemic”…
Read “The Impact of Changing ABOS Written Examinations”…
Last call to submit manuscripts for 2018 Kappa Delta and OREF Clinical Research Awards.
Manuscripts are currently being accepted for the 2018 Kappa Delta Awards and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award. Up to two $20,000 Kappa Delta awards (Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award and Ann Doner Vaughan Award), one $20,000 Kappa Delta Young Investigator award, and one $20,000 OREF award will be bestowed, provided manuscripts of requisite quality are submitted. Manuscripts should represent a large body of cohesive scientific work, generally reflecting years of investigation. If the submission reflects a single project, it should be of high significance and impact. Manuscripts must be submitted by members (or candidate members) of the AAOS, Orthopaedic Research Society, Canadian Orthopaedic Association, or Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society. Submissions for the 2018 Kappa Delta and OREF Clinical Research Awards will be accepted in electronic format only. A PDF of the entire submission must be emailed no later than 11:59 p.m. CT on July 1, 2017. Late submissions will not be considered.
Read more…
Call for volunteers: Performance Measures Committee.
Aug. 1 is the last day to submit your application for a position on the Performance Measures Committee (one resident-at-large opening). This committee oversees and participates in the development, validation, dissemination, and implementation of AAOS performance measures. Applicants for this position must be PGY-2, PGY-3, or PGY-4.
Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)
