I have seen many physicians on #MedTwitter and #OrthoTwitter dispute this author’s allegation that physicians are “keeping prices high” in #Healthcare. This is patently false, at least with regard to procedural reimbursement.
How do we know this in #Orthopaedics?
How do we know this in #Orthopaedics?
Our research groups at @UnivOrtho and @OrthoAtYale retrospectively studied @CMSGov #CMS #Medicare reimbursements for Orthopaedic procedures across specialties over a period of 16 years.
What did we find? Read our published article here:
"Trends in Medicare Reimbursement for Orthopedic Procedures: 2000 to 2016" (via #pubmedontap) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29494748
"Trends in Medicare Reimbursement for Orthopedic Procedures: 2000 to 2016" (via #pubmedontap) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29494748
The result was quite remarkable in that every single specialty in Orthopaedic Surgery Has seen diminished reimbursement over this period, with the largest decrease seen in Adult Reconstruction for #HipReplacement and #KneeReplacement.
Most recently, there is an active attempt to review the RVU values for #TKA and #THA although the work for these procedures has not changed substantially over this period. This effort is being informed by our talented @AAHKS leadership @M_BolognesiMD and @dellavalleortho
So what are the actual lessons here?
Surgeons are working the same (or harder) to perform Hip and Knee Replacement, in addition to almost all other Orthopaedic procedures, and are, in fact, being paid less over time by Medicare and other insurers for this work
Surgeons are working the same (or harder) to perform Hip and Knee Replacement, in addition to almost all other Orthopaedic procedures, and are, in fact, being paid less over time by Medicare and other insurers for this work
It is absolutely critical for #healthcare media and policy makers to be adequately informed by the data to formulate perspective and policy on matters of patient care.
While matters related to “surprise billing” are being debated, the media should not assert that surgeons are commanding ever increasing prices for their work, when reality and fact shows these values have gone down based on CMS valuation and insurance driven reimbursement.
In the end, Orthopaedic Surgeons from @AAOSmembers @AAOS1 are working harder than ever on behalf of our patients, to bring them the best possible and safest care in the history of modern medicine. Let the facts drive our discussion and policy making forward.
In this holiday season, we are grateful to @AAOSAdvocacy and @AAHKS to help protect physician and our patients from the relentless assault of for profit corporate insurance lobbyists, who are actively working to diminish payments and restrict patient access to care.
Patients and the media should know that physicians and surgeons are relentlessly dedicated to the care of our patients.
Name one other industry where such persistent and annual declines in reimbursement be sustainable?? None exist. Why???
Name one other industry where such persistent and annual declines in reimbursement be sustainable?? None exist. Why???
Because physicians are dedicated to their patients in spite of all odds. This is the core fact within this body of research.
#HappyHolidays to all. May there be much informed, intelligent, and meaningful discussion on #healthcare in 2020!!! (End)
#HappyHolidays to all. May there be much informed, intelligent, and meaningful discussion on #healthcare in 2020!!! (End)
