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AAOS Advocacy in Action
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AAOS submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to a Request for Information on aspects of the Surprise Billing law. |
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The Bone Beat New Episode
Conversations on health policy issues affecting musculoskeletal care…
Election Recap and the Lame Duck Congress
Following the 2022 midterm election, AAOS political experts recap how candidates supported by the Orthopaedic PAC fared, as well as the new physician leaders elected to Congress. They explain the importance of the lame duck session and how Congress has the opportunity to pass two bills before the end of the year that are critically important to the musculoskeletal community.
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AAOS News
Register for a Free Upcoming Webinar Covering 2023 CPT E/M Coding Updates
Join AAOS Coding, Coverage and Reimbursement Committee (CCRC) members in a discussion covering 2023 CPT Changes to Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services for 2023 on December 14 from 7:15-8:15 p.m. CST. Topics will include the upcoming 2023 changes affecting CPT E/M codes which will greatly impact the reporting of services rendered and obtaining the appropriate reimbursement. There will be a detailed review of the revisions to the reporting of Hospital Inpatient/Observation services, Consultations, Prolonged Service with or without Direct Contact as well as the changes in Medical Decision Making (MDM) guidelines for 2023. Members can submit questions in advance to be answered during the live webinar. Register Today!
AAOS Seeking Volunteers for Open Advocacy Council Committee Positions
Several positions under the AAOS Advocacy Council are open for application through December 18 (see list below). Members who have an interest in contributing to the mission and vision of AAOS are encouraged to visit www.aaos.org/cap to view and apply (member username and password required).
- Health Care Systems Committee – Section Leader position – Practice and Payment
- Health Care Systems Committee – Member positions
- Medical Liability Committee – Member positions
- Political Action Committee of the AAOS – Secretary position
Volunteers should keep in mind that the Committee Appointment Program is designed so interested members can view only positions for which their membership category is eligible to apply. Learn more and apply… |
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Healthcare Policy News
Orthopaedic Surgeons, Prior Authorization Mentioned in Congressional Hearing
On November 30, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee held a hearing on the ongoing mental health crisis. Early in the discussion Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) brought up the prior authorization process and noted “as an obstetrician I saw the issue delay care for infertility patients, for high-risk patients. My friends in orthopaedic surgery tell me ‘it’s getting harder to perform a joint replacement and the process may be delayed by 3 or 4 months’.” He then asked witness Ashley Weiss, DO, MPH, of the Tulane University School of Medicine if the prior authorization process is impacting the mental health of her patients. She replied by stating it is “mind numbing.” Dr. Weiss then addressed the insane nature of ideal treatments being delayed and the burden the process puts on her team. Senator Marshall is the lead sponsor of the AAOS-endorsed Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (S.3018) which would streamline the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans and has already passed in the House of Representatives. Send a letter to your Senators asking them to support the bill by clicking here… |
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The 2022 midterm election results are still unfolding. In the House of Representatives, Republicans have officially taken control with 220 seats to Democrat’s 213. Two races remain too close to call: CO-03 and CA-13. In the U.S. Senate, all eyes are on Georgia’s December 6 runoff between incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. Senate Democrats currently hold the majority with 50 seats to the Republican’s 49. The AAOS OrthoPAC invested in a number of races with an overall general election win rate of 96.5%. 218 of 222 OrthoPAC supported incumbents won their seats, along with 9 of 13 challengers. We are excited to welcome two new physician Members to Congress: Dr. Rich McCormick (R-GA-06) and Dr. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08). Also notable were wins by incumbent physicians Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA-06) and Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), bringing the number of physician Members of Congress to 19. Unfortunately, two OrthoPAC-supported physician challengers were defeated in their races: Kermit Jones, MD (D-CA-03) and Asif Mahmood, MD (D-CA-40). Our OrthoPAC donors were vital in helping to achieve a high win rate and ensure the election of Members who understand and will fight for musculoskeletal care. |
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| REACH OUT |
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| QUESTIONS
For questions or concerns on these or other advocacy issues, contact us at dc@aaos.org. |
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| JOIN THE PAC |
| Did you know? Supporting our Orthopaedic PAC by phone is easy: simply text AAOS to the number 41444. Learn more about OrthoPAC.
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