By Chad A. Krueger, MD, Member, Young Arthroplasty Group Committee and
Nicholas B. Frisch, MD, MBA, Member, Young Arthroplasty Group Committee
If there is ever a time to consider the importance of donating to the Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (OrthoPAC), it is NOW! For those of you who may not be aware, last year the AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) was charged by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to re-survey the value of total hip and total knee arthroplasty CPT codes. This surveying is currently underway, and potential revaluing could have a dramatic effect on what surgeons are reimbursed for these procedures.
Additionally, CMS recently published the 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems proposed rule. The proposed rule would remove total hip arthroplasty from the Medicare inpatient only list and add total knee arthroplasty to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Covered Surgical Procedure list. More information on both of these topics can be found here.
Processes and changes such as these will affect your practice. It is important that we help educate members of legislative bodies about our concerns and advocate on behalf of our patients. How can you help? Simply contribute to the Ortho PAC. Such participation helps orthopaedic surgeons be heard and develop relationships with the officials making these decisions. You can donate online by clicking the ‘Donate to the PAC’ link found here or simply texting the word AAHKS to 41444. Any donation of $10 or more is welcomed. Thank you for your consideration.