AAOS Advocacy in Action

Health Care Systems Committee Offers Member Resource on Consolidation

The AAOS Health Care Systems Committee under the Advocacy Council recently completed the development of an FAQ on the topic of consolidation in healthcare. Given the rapid acceleration of consolidation across the healthcare landscape, which has been impacting physician practices, insurers, and hospital systems for several years, AAOS prioritized creating an educational member resource on the evolving topic. The FAQ is intended to offer members a first look at some of the most pressing questions that consolidation poses for orthopaedic surgeons. Topics covered include defining consolidation, explaining why it is increasing in frequency, the role that private equity plays in physician practice acquisition, the impacts on price and quality of care, and the role that the Federal Trade Commission and antitrust laws have in regulating it. This topic is also being covered on the AAOS Advocacy Podcast in a three-part series from February through April, and the first episode can be found here.  View the resource…

Coalition to Launch Prior Authorization Reform Campaign Next Week

From March 7-11, AAOS as part of the Regulatory Relief Coalition will be participating in a “Week of Action” advocacy campaign. The event is intended to spread awareness of the barriers to timely care associated with prior authorization and to encourage congressional action on The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 (H.R. 3173/S. 3018).  AAOS has been a long-time advocate for the bipartisan, bicameral legislation which will help protect patients from unnecessary delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program while also providing additional oversight and transparency. As a reminder, prior authorization reform is a tier 1 issue on AAOS’ 2022 Unified Advocacy Agenda, was a featured topic during Orthopaedic Advocacy Week in May 2021, and can be supported by members’ grassroots efforts through the AAOS Advocacy Action Center.  Learn more about the advocacy effort…

Healthcare Policy News

Federal Court Strikes Down Key Parts of No Surprises Act Rule

On Feb. 23, a federal judge issued a decision and final judgment to set aside key parts of the rule for implementing the No Surprises Act which took effect Jan. 1. He agreed with the Texas Medical Association that parts of the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Process for resolving out-of-network bills are inconsistent with congressional intent and should be invalidated on a nationwide basis. In response to the ruling, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have withdrawn all guidance that references or relies on the sections of the rule which were invalidated by the judicial ruling. The Departments also plan to release updated guidance documents and provide trainings for the IDR stakeholders. The lawsuit is one of six against the major healthcare rule, including one led by the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association that AAOS joined in filing an amicus brief for in January. Read the Department’s memo on the ruling…

Physician Mental Health Bill Passes Congress, to Be Signed into Law

On February 18, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act passed the U.S. Senate for a second time after passing the House as an amended version in December 2021. The bill is named after Lorna Breen, MD, an emergency physician at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in New York City who died by suicide in April 2020. It is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden any day now and will provide funds to help reduce and prevent mental and behavioral health conditions, suicide, and burnout, as well as increase access to evidence-based treatment for physicians, medical students, and other healthcare professionals. AAOS worked to garner support for the legislation during Orthopaedic Advocacy Week and through the AAOS Advocacy Action Center, resulting in 32 additional cosponsors. It was also featured as the topic of episode 21 on the AAOS Advocacy Podcast which can be heard here. Learn more on AAOS Advocacy…

President Biden Extends COVID-19 National Emergency

President Biden has extended the national emergency that was first declared in March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and was set to expire on March 1, 2022.  The national emergency conveys special powers and frees the federal government from abiding by some legal constraints, allowing it to spend additional money and more easily take certain actions. The administration also said that it plans to re-issue a separate public health emergency declaration, which would otherwise expire April 14 and has implications for Medicaid coverage and entitlement program waivers. Hospitals and other medical groups have been pressing for the renewal of the declaration because of the waivers it triggers which have helped to save lives. Read more about the extension…

Events and Details for the AAOS 2022 Annual Meeting

The OrthoPAC is looking forward to an eventful AAOS 2022 Annual Meeting. The Donor Appreciation Luncheon will take place Wednesday, March 23 at 11:30am in room E354b and feature guest speaker Charlie Cook. Cook is founder of the Cook Political Report and one of the nation’s leading experts on American politics and elections. All 2021 and 2022 PAC donors are welcome to attend the luncheon and can RSVP here or by texting “PACLunch” to 41444. The 6th Annual Resident & Leadership Reception will be Thursday, March 24 from 8-11pm at the Hubbard Inn. It will be a fantastic opportunity to support residents and network with influential advocacy leaders. RSVP here or text “Res” to 41444. Additionally, we invite you to visit us at OrthoPAC booth #1226 in the Exhibit Hall where 2021 and 2022 PAC donors can grab a snack, beverage, or relax and recharge.  Learn more about the events at Annual Meeting…

·        AAOS Files Amicus Brief in Support of Lawsuit Challenging No Surprises Act Rule (AAOS Now, February)

·        CMS reweighing MIPS data for physicians and extending deadline (Healthcare Finance, 3/2)

·        A Third of Docs Saw a Patient Harmed by Prior Authorization (MedPage Today, 2/11)