Today’s Top Story
CMS issues proposed rule to expand access to Medicare data by qualified entities.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting comments on a proposed rule to expand access to analyses and data under the qualified entity program to help providers and others make more informed decisions about care delivery. The new rule will allow qualified organizations to confidentially share or sell analyses of Medicare and private sector claims data to providers, employers, and other groups who can use the data to support improved care. The rule also includes strict privacy and security requirements for all entities receiving Medicare analyses or data, as well as new annual reporting requirements. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until March 29, 2016. Read more…
Read the rule…

Other News

Study: Functional outcome after hip fracture surgery may be independent of fracture pattern and surgical treatment selection.
Data from a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT) suggest that that neither fracture pattern nor specific surgical treatment may be predictive of functional outcome after surgery for hip fracture. The authors conducted a prospective, observational, cohort study of 552 patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture. At both 4-month and 1-year follow-ups, they noted a significant decrease in ambulatory ability and activities of daily living (ADL) index score, but also an increase in the need for walking aids in comparison with pre-fracture status. At one year post-fracture, pre-fracture functional status was regained by 57 percent of patients, but approximately 13 percent of formerly ambulating patients were unable to walk. Overall, the authors found that pre-fracture status was the most important determinant of ambulatory ability, need for walking aids, and ADL, with comorbidities, a poor cognitive status, and non–weight-bearing status after surgery also serving as negative predictors. Read the abstract…

Study: Delayed surgery for femoral neck fracture associated with worse outcomes.
A study published in the February issue of JOT finds that delayed surgery for femoral neck fracture may be associated with worse outcomes compared to surgery performed within 24 hours of presentation. The research team conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,361 patients aged younger than 50 years, 67.8 percent of whom underwent surgery within 24 hours. They found that delayed surgery was independently associated with increased occurrence of serious adverse events, minor adverse events, and any adverse events. Overall, Charlson comorbidity index of 3+ compared with Charlson comorbidity index of 0, pelvic fracture, and treatment at an American College of Surgeons Level I trauma center (compared with Levels II–IV) were all associated with delayed surgery. Read the abstract…

Study: Weight loss linked to symptom improvement in patients with knee OA.
Findings published online in the journal Arthritis Care & Research suggest a dose-response relationship between weight loss and symptom improvement among patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The researchers reviewed data on 1,383 people with knee OA who were enrolled in an 18-week weight loss program. Overall, 1,304 (94 percent) achieved a >2.5 percent reduction in body weight. The researchers noted a significant dose-response relationship between all Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales and percentage of weight change across all weight change categories. They write that participants required at least a 7.7 percent body weight loss to achieve a minimal clinically important improvement in function. Read more…
Read the abstract…

CMS webinars to discuss updates to Physician Compare website.
CMS will host three public reporting information sessions about recent updates to the Physician Compare website and future plans for public reporting on Physician Compare, including publicly reported benchmark and star ratings. Each 1-hour webinar will offer participants the opportunity to ask questions about public reporting and quality measures on Physician Compare. Session dates and times include:

  • Feb. 23, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Feb. 24, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Feb. 25, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. ET

All sessions will present the same information, however, participants must register in advance. Learn more and register…
Learn more about Physician Compare…
Visit the Physician Compare website…

Study: Does Medicaid pay too little for common surgical procedures?
A study published online in The Journal of the American College of Surgeons compares Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for various general surgery procedures, and finds wide variations in Medicaid payments across states. The research team reviewed data on frequently billed procedures and found that many states pay far less for many common procedures under Medicaid compared to Medicare. Observers note that the so-called “Medicaid discount” could discourage some surgeons from caring for Medicaid patients. Read more…
Read the abstract…

Register now to attend the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting; free online registration ends Sunday, Feb. 28!
AAOS members can take advantage of free advance online registration when they register for the 2016 Annual Meeting by Sunday, Feb. 28. The 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting features an array of new learning formats and a variety of clinical and scientific topics. Among other things, this year’s meeting includes the following:

  • 32 symposia
  • 923 paper presentations
  • 576 posters
  • 88 scientific exhibits
  • Orthopaedic Video Theater with more than 80 videos
  • Specialty Day, featuring full programs by orthopaedic specialty societies
  • Electronic Skills Presentations in the newly redesigned Technology Theater

On-site course fees now apply. On-site registration and check-In will be available Monday, Feb. 29 through Saturday, March 5, at the Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Academy Hall C. Read more…
Register for the AAOS Annual Meeting…

February AAOS Now is online now and in your mailbox soon!
AAOS members will soon receive the print edition of the February issue of AAOS Now, but the online edition is already available on the AAOS Now website. This month’s issue includes an overview of existing evidence regarding the use of platelet-rich plasma, a discussion of possible unintended consequences of the CMS Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement program, a look at the impact of ICD-10, and much more! Read more…(member login required)
Read “PRP: Does It Do Anything?”…
Read “Unintended Consequences of CJR”…
Read “The Impact of ICD-10 Implementation”…