July 2020

MA Ortho News - Senate Health Bill, Medicare Telehealth Updates, MOA Elects Board and More

Orthopaedic News & Updates July/August 2020 MOA Urges Senators to Protect Patients MOA President Walter Stanwood, MD, urged State Senators at the MA State House to consider patient safety when deliberating Senate Bill S.2769, An Act Putting Patients First. In a letter to Senators, Dr. Stanwood opposed provisions in the bill that would: Expand podiatry scope of practice from the foot to the foot and lower leg, disclosure. Require Out of Network Disclosures for Non Emergency Care. Utilize the Health Policy Commission to establish Out of Network Reimbursement Rates. Included in the letter were MOA requests and recommendations to ensure patient safety, transparency and fair reimbursement. To read the MOA letter, click here. The Senate passed the bill with few amendments late last month however, it is not likely that the House will take up the bill. The MOA and its lobbyist, Ronna Wallace, will monitor any movement of the bill and advocate on behalf of the orthopaedic surgeon community and patients. We will continue to keep members updated on this bill and any others that may impact the profession.   Members Vote to Approve 2020-2021 MOA Board of Directors Congratulations to the newly elected MOA Board of Directors. The MOA membership submitted their online ballot last month and the nominated slate was unanimously approved. Serving the orthopaedic community and MOA are : OFFICERS Walter G. Stanwood, MD (President) Plymouth Bay Orthopaedics Bojan Zoric, MD (Vice President) Sports Medicine North Richard M. Wilk, MD (Secretary/Treasurer) Brigham & Women’s Hospital Kenneth D. Polivy, MD (AAOS Councilor) Newton Wellesley Orthopaedic Associates   Paul Pongor, MD (AAOS Councilor) Orthopedic Associates of Marlboro Samantha Spencer, MD (Immediate Past President) Children’s Hospital Boston   BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Ayers, MD South Shore Orthopaedic Associates John Corsetti, MD New England Orthopaedic Surgeons Christopher P. Chiodo, MD   Brigham Orthopaedic Associates     Amna Diwan, MD UMass Memorial Medical Center Mark C. Gebhardt, MD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center                    Samuel D. Gerber, MD Orthopaedic Surgical Associates Steven Leckie, MD Plymouth Bay Orthopaedics  Bruce M. Leslie, MD Newton Wellesley Orthopaedic Associates  Peter E. Mebel, MD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Inc. R. Scott Oliver, MD Plymouth Bay Orthopaedics  Robert L. Patz, MD Orthopaedic Specialists of MA Scott Ryan, MD Tufts Medical Center Edward Rodriguez, MD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Jinsil Sung, MD Steward Medical Group/Norwood Orthopedics Thomas Wuerz, MD Boston Sports & S houlder Center Medicare Telehealth Updates Latest List of Covered Telehealth Codes CMS (Medicare) released on June 30th a published list of the 238 covered Telehealth procedure codes with notations indicating type of contact covered by Medicare Part B (Yes = telephone/audio access approved). Please share the list with your coding and billing staff.  MOA Supports AAOS Response Efforts to CMS & United Healthcare The MOA continues to support the work and initiatives of the AAOS on federal and national issues. Listed below are recent matters the AAOS has responded to concerning CMS Joint Replacement Payment Model and United Healthcare imaging requirements. MOA joined in lending Massachusetts’ voice in support of the AAOS requests. Each letter can be found by clicking on "AAOS Letter". AAOS Letter to UnitedHealthcare (UHC) expressing concern with recently implemented imaging requirements for commercial medical policies.  Summary : In response to  new imaging requirements instituted by UHC , AAOS is writing to express serious concern that this policy will impede timely patient care and care continuity, and shift time away from patients and towards unnecessary administrative tasks. In particular, the letter argues the requirement supersedes clinical decision-making, increases administrative burden and amplifies security and patient safety concerns. AAOS strongly asks that this requirement be immediately suspended and withdrawn. AAOS Letter to CMS regarding the 3-Year Extension of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Payment Model Summary : On February 20, 2020 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a rule proposing changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model, which bundles payment to acute care hospitals for hip and knee replacement surgery.The proposed rule aims to extend the CJR model for an additional three years, through Dec. 31, 2023. However, this extension would apply only to hospitals in the 34 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in which participation is mandatory. Hospitals participating in voluntary MSAs, as well as all low-volume and rural hospitals that have elected to participate, will continue to see the model end on Dec. 31, 2020. AAOS letter to CMS regarding the FY 2021 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule.  Summary : The issue has implications for societies and institutions whose members bill Medicare for inpatient hospital services. For a complete summary on this issue, including prior authorization, please go to the AAOS website at  https://www.aaos.org/globalassets/advocacy/issues/2021-ipps-pr-summary.pdf . (Note: The final letter will not be available until mid July. If you would like to request a copy when it is available, please email maorthoexec@gmail.com. ) Reminder MOA 2020 Annual Meeting CANCELLED Given the swift rate of changes, federal and state mandates, and most importantly in the interest of public health and safety, the MOA Board determined that cancellation of the 2020 Annual Meeting scheduled for September 16, 2020, would be the cautious and prudent response. We are currently exploring virtual clinical and practice educational webinars. Please share your request for specific topics with the MOA via email . Thank you. Read MOA President, Walter Stanwood, MD - Letter to Membership MOA 2020 Membership Renewal Support the MOA's Work on Behalf of the Orthopaedic Community Now more than ever, your 2020 membership renewal is vital to the work of the MOA in supporting orthopaedic surgeons, the practice of medicine and protecting patients. The MOA has been very active during these stressful, rapidly changing times by providing timely updates, relevant information, and advocating on behalf of all our members and patients.  Some of the MOA work is highlighted below.  Successfully Advocated for Liability Relief.  Urged Governor Baker to Reopen Surgical Procedures in Phase One. Requested Prior Authorization Extensions for our Previously Scheduled Patients. Informed Members of Med Mal Premium Credits and Deferments. Provided Data Sheet for all Telehealth Codes and Policies for ALL Commercial Carriers. Requested Health Insurers credit Policy Holders that Have Not Accessed Health Care. Represented the orthopaedic community on weekly calls with the DPH, DOI, CMS and MMS. At just $300.00 a year (150.00 for first-year members), the MOA represents all orthopaedic surgeons whether you’re in private practice, hospital or academic based, you benefit.  Your membership renewal also includes a FREE  one-year  subscription to OrthoEvidence  - A global, online source for quality, evidence-based summaries by the orthopaedic community of the highest quality research at no cost to you ($100.00 value). To Renew Online via Credit Card (click here) Email for 10% GROUP Discount for Your Practice (click here) Unsure of your 2020 Membership Renewal? Simply email Susan to check your status.