House Bill Introduced to Mitigate 2022 Medicare Physician Pay Cuts
Late last week, U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-Cal.), and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.) introduced a bill (H.R. 6020) that would extend a delay of pay cuts to physicians under Medicare until 2023. Congress previously implemented a one-year, 3.75 percent pay raise for independent physicians in the Fiscal Year 2021 spending law to alleviate cuts to specialists when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services boosted pay for primary care and undervalued specialty services. The increase is set to expire in January. In October, Reps. Bera and Buschon led a letter to House leadership from more than half the members of the chamber urging action on the issue before the end of the year. AAOS is advocating in support of the letter and is encouraging members to join in urging Congress to avert the 2022 Medicare pay cuts.
Study: Comparable Function and Survival with Cruciate-substituting and Cruciate-retaining Medial Pivot TKA
There were no differences between cruciate-substituting and cruciate-retaining medial pivot total knee arthroplasty (TKA) regarding postoperative implant survival, knee flexion, and patient joint awareness at 10 years follow-up, according to a study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty. In total, 333 TKAs were analyzed, including 257 cruciate-substituting and 76 cruciate-retaining procedures. Five percent of patients were lost to follow-up. Postoperative knee flexion was 118 degrees and 116 degrees in the cruciate-substituting and cruciate-retaining groups, respectively.
Study: Reduced Strength after RTSA for Fracture, Posttraumatic Sequelae versus Degenerative Conditions
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for acute proximal humeral fractures (PHF) and posttraumatic conditions is associated with significantly reduced forward elevation strength compared with RTSA performed for degenerative conditions, according to a retrospective study published in Current Orthopaedic Practice. Researchers compared two-year follow-up data among 165 patients who underwent RTSA for degenerative conditions (n = 130), posttraumatic sequelae (n = 19), or acute PHF (n = 16). There were no significant between-group differences in range of motion, complications, Visual Analog Scale scores, or American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon scores.
Study: How Have Opioid Regulations Impacted Prescribing after Ankle Fracture Surgery?
A retrospective study published online in Injury reported that state opioid regulations have positively impacted 90-day prescription filling patterns after ankle fracture surgery. Insurance data (commercial, Medicare/Medicaid, and cash pay) from 40,286 adult patients from all 50 states between 2010 through 2019 were evaluated. Mean first prescription volume was similar over time. However, cumulative prescriptions up to 90 days postoperatively decreased from 128.5 pills in 2010 to 70.4 pills in 2019. Cumulative filling in 2018 and 2019 was significantly lower compared to 2010 levels.
Study: Unilateral Cage Insertion in PLIF May Be Associated with Pseudoarthrosis
In posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), use of a unilaterally inserted cage may be a risk factor for symptomatic pseudoarthrosis compared with bilateral cage insertion, according to a study of 78 patients (unilateral, n = 19; bilateral, n = 57) published online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The unilateral cage group were more likely to have previous laminectomy, asymmetric disc collapse, and fusion at L5-S1. Pseudoarthrosis occurred in 36.8 percent of the unilateral group and 7.0 percent of the bilateral group. Unilateral cage insertion was also associated with a greater incidence of back pain and lower general activity function at one year postoperatively.
The American Medical Association provides code and guideline changes to the Current Procedural Terminology ® (CPT) Manual each year. This article previews the relevant changes to the musculoskeletal section for 2022, including revisions to codes for the insertion of a drug-delivery implant and the creation of two codes for thermal destruction of intraosseous basivertebral nerve.
Take Part in the Development of a Technology Overview
AAOS is seeking volunteers to take part in the work group for the development of the Platelet-rich Plasma for Lateral Epicondylitis/Tendinitis Technology Overview. Due to limited space, applications will be reviewed and approved on a first come, first served basis.
