Articles
The GCPC will help all individuals and entities involved in the health care industry, including but not limited to physicians and hospitals, home health agencies and hospices, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, nursing facilities, Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs), and third-party medical billing companies to self-monitor compliance with applicable Federal laws and program requirements as part of their efforts to prevent, detect, and address fraud, waste, and abuse in the health care system.
Learn more
Resident physicians play a crucial role in advancing musculoskeletal medical research and innovation. Their work often forms the basis for groundbreaking discoveries and improvements in healthcare. Medical research conducted by residents in training provides numerous benefits that include: fresh perspectives, clinical relevance in care settings, evolution ofskill sets, collaborative learning, advancement of specific medical disciplines and specialties, promoting a culture of mentorship in the medical field, and professional growth.
Their dedication to both patient care and research plays a pivotal role in the development of new treatment modalities, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced medical education. Therefore, it is essential to recognize and support the efforts of resident physicians in their pursuit of medical research.
Resident posters are used to summarize and display key areas of interest studied by the resident. The winners were selected from a field of orthopaedic residents who submitted poster abstracts from across the state.
First place was awarded to Dustin Morgan, MD, from the University at Buffalo, for his presentation entitled:Multidisciplinary standardized protocol decreases time to antibiotics for open fractures: a resident-drive quality improvement initiative.
Second place was awarded to Urvi Patel, MD, from the University of Rochester, for her research:Intramedullary nail versus plate fixation for diaphyseal humerus: a retrospective comparative analysis.
The third place award was awarded to Matthew Barra, MD, from the University of Rochester, for his reserach: Posterior tibial slope should be considered with coronal plane alignment of the knee classification.
NYSSOS President Samuel Flemister, MD, said: “Orthopaedic Residents are engines of innovation that help drive the science and practice of orthopaedic medicine. All of the entries were brilliantly executed and reflected the tremendous contributions residents make to our profession. Congratulations to our winners, and to all participants, for their handwork and commitment to further advancing orthopaedic care.”
The Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) is pleased to continue its webinar series for health care providers with a presentation specifically for Board-authorized providers who are currently able to treat New York State’s injured workers.
Over the past several years, the Board has been working to make the workers’ compensation system better for injured workers, better for businesses, and better for health care providers.
They've undertaken several initiatives to improve health care and enhance the experience of treating providers by streamlining the workers’ compensation process and reducing the amount of paperwork.
Board-authorized providers are encouraged to join this webinar to review pertinent information, as well as new initiatives underway at the Board. We will also leave time at the end of the presentation to answer your questions.
Registration is not required. To join, please select the "Join webinar" link below. Add it to your calendar so you don't forget!
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. Join webinar Add to your calendar!
More information
Be sure to visit the What Providers Need to Know page on our website to stay aware of new and important updates for health care providers. Visit the Providers webpage and select the ‘Provider Updates’ quick link.
You can also email MDO@wcb.ny.gov with questions.
Having trouble?
If you are having trouble attending this webinar, check out these Webinar FAQs
Prior authorizations impose overwhelming burdens that cause unnecessary delays in needed care for patients. Delays in the authorization of prescriptions, tests, or procedures can cause needless anxiety for patients already stressed by uncertainty regarding their condition, particularly those with chronic conditions who have complex medical needs and depend on following strict treatment plans.
Resources
We understand that the prior authorization process can be lengthy and burdensome. That's why AAOS created a Tip Sheet to help! It includes tips for physicians seeking approval, next steps if you've been denied, as well as guidance for peer-to-peer review.
AAOS created a template to help get you started with an appeal. Be sure to make copies of everything sent with the appeal for your records and use tracking if you're sending the appeal via mail.
Selecting the right medical liability insurance carrier is an important decision. It’s critical to evaluate claims experience, financial strength, policies, cost and more!
> MORE
In this CME course, a panel of physician and legal experts will discuss the complexities of caring for elderly patients in the home setting, including liability risks and risk-management tips.
In this case study, MLMIC examines the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and its application, providing a legal analysis and important takeaways for hospitals.
MLMIC reviews regulatory and HIPAA requirements for destroying medical records while outlining options for disposal.
Understanding the physical and social environments of elderly patients will help providers address this population’s health concerns, improve outcomes and minimize exposure to professional liability claims.
For convenient access to MLMIC articles, industry news and risk management resources, please visit the new MLMIC Insider
________________________________________________
The New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (NYSSOS) is proud to announce a new endorsement with the MLMIC Insurance Company. This new partnership will provide NYSSOS members with an array of unique resources including innovative risk management presentations designed to help NYSSOS members manage risk, reduce exposure, and prevent adverse outcomes. In addition, NYSSOS members will be able to tap into MLMIC Analytics that uncover outcome trends and potential risks using MLMIC’s exclusive claims and adverse event analysis service.
NYSSOS Advocacy Day attendees took part in a direct briefing from top state officials concerning the status of the nascent State Master Plan for Aging. Governor Hochul signed an Executive Order in November of 2022 mandating the creation of the master plan, which is to include the development of strategies for government, the private sector, and the non-profit sector to support older New Yorkers.
The briefing to NYSSOS members was provided by NYS Office for Aging Chief of Staff John Cochran and NYSDOH Center for Aging and Long Term Care Bureau Director Karisa Capone.
The briefing and accompanying dialogue focused on strategies to address challenges related to communication, coordination and innovative care.
Engagement of the musculoskeletal community was emphasized by the presenters, who indicated that orthopaedic physicians“can play an important role in the care and identification of older patients, as well as their caregivers, that are in need of supports and services to help enable them to remain in their community of choice.”
According to the presenters, strategies than can be supported by the orthopaedic community include:
Addressing social determinants of health, and promoting healthy aging, including falls and fall injury prevention.
Employing alternatives to opioids for pain management to limit delirium and adverse medication interactions.
Developing partnerships with local Departments of Health, the aging services network and community based service providers to facilitate aging in place and successful post-acute care discharge outcomes.
Promoting social and recreational opportunities to increase mobility, including use of walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly communities.
Use of multi-disciplinary care models that foster aging in place.
NYSSOS will be represented on the Master Plan by its legislative and advocacy chairperson, John Reilly, MD, and will continue to work with state officials to monitor and assist in developing Master Plan orthopaedic elements that are effective, reasonable and sustainable.
To learn more about New York’s State Master Plan for Aging visit: https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-states-master-plan-aging
A team of NYSSOS leaders representing every corner of the state concluded a dynamic day of meetings on April18, converging in Albany for the NYSSOS 2023 Advocacy Day.
The team of orthopaedic surgeons collectively met with top several lawmakers, including those who chair the committees most important to advancing NYSSOS legislative agenda including:
Senate Insurance Committee Chair Neil Breslin - Senate sponsor of “Gold Card” legislation
Assembly Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin
Assembly Higher Education Chair Pat Fahy
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III - Assembly sponsor of “Gold Card” legislation
Senate Health Committee Director Tony Kergaravat
Assembly Health Senior Policy Adviser Mark Kissinger and Committee Coordinator Sherri Salvione
The topics addressed in the various discussions with the lawmakers and their staff focused on a number of NYSSOS’ legislative priorities, including:
Supporting legislation to reform insurance company prior authorization practices, including passage of the Breslin/McDonald sponsored “Gold Car” bill.
Supporting legislation to establish important qualifications for clinical peer reviewers by requiring them to be licensed in New York, and in the same or similar specialty as the treating physician.
Supporting legislation that would authorize licensure of athletic trainers, including provisions for athletic trainers to work under the supervision of a physician.
Opposing several separate proposals that would broaden the scope of practice for a number of non-physician professionals, including podiatrists, physician assistants, chiropractors and physical therapists. The general message relayed to lawmakers was that increasing scope of practice without commensurate education and training is unsafe.
Advocating for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to reforming medical malpractice insurance practices.
NYSSOS is grateful to the members who traveled to Albany to advocate on behalf of the musculoskeletal community.
Access the NYSSOS 2023 legislative agenda, and tools you can use to contact your lawmakers, can be found at: https://nyssos.org/takeaction.
NYSSOS is pleased to report that the Workers Compensation Board (WCB)has revised a proposed rule on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to address numerous concerns raised by NYSSOS. As a result, the revised proposed rule now aligns with the current standard of practice and the standards of professional medical societies andpayers (including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and assures that this critical service continues to be available for injured workers undergoing surgical procedures.
Based on concerns expressed by NYSSOS, the revised proposed rule includes important changes to several provisions. Among other provisions, the revised proposed rule:
Removed the requirement that the monitoring physician be in constant attendance and available for actual on-premises assistance.
Replaced the requirement for being on premises with a requirement that the Monitoring Physician be a WCB-authorized provider credentialed or with guest privileges where the procedure is being performed.
Removed reference to “available to provide actual on premises assistance.”
Deleted prohibition on using billing code 94941.
Added language clarifying that remote IOM billing shall not exceed the amount billed using code 95940
The revised rule is now subject to a 45-day public comment period.
To read the revised proposed rule CLICK HERE.
To read NYSSOS's letter to WCB supporting the revised proposed regulation and urging its final adoption CLICK HERE.
On February 28, 2023, the New York State Department of Health issued updated guidance regarding elective surgery pre-procedure testing for SARS-CoV-2. > Access the advisory: click here.
CDC guidance states that SARS-CoV-2 viral testing of asymptomatic patients before elective surgery or procedures by hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery practices, and diagnostic and treatment centers, is at the discretion of the facility.
Pre-procedure testing to identify asymptomatic infection might continue to be useful in some situations, including when performing higher-risk procedures. Pre-procedure testing can also help inform the type of infection control precautions used (e.g., room assignment, cohorting, or personal protective equipment) to prevent unprotected exposures.
This advisory supersedes all previous guidance pertaining to elective surgery pre-procedure testing for SARS-CoV-2.
NYSDOH recommends that all healthcare settings continue to adhere to the infection prevention and control guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
See: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19)Pandemic).
General questions or comments about this advisory can be sent to:
covidhospitaldtcinfo@health.ny.gov, or icp@health.ny.gov
By NYSSOS President Samuel Flemister, MD
(Based on Written Testimony Submitted Earlier Today)
Governor Hochul ’s 2023-2024 Executive Budget proposal contains a number of elements that are of particular interest to orthopaedic care providers as they relate to our ability to sustain access to the best possible patient care.
We are grateful to see the proposed extension of the excess medical malpractice program through June of 2024. This program is essential to New York ’s ability to maintain a workforce of physicians that can meet current and future service demands. We would ask the Governor and Legislature to extend this program for more than just one year, however, since many physicians base their practice location decisions on multi-year environmental forecasts, including medical malpractice costs, which are already the highest in the nation in New York.
Additionally, NYSSOS supports the investments made by the Executive to aid in the recruitment and retention of skilled medical staff. We are indeed facing a staffing crisis that demands urgent government action, and we prevail upon the Legislature to make any additions possible to these efforts.
NYSSOS is also supportive of the Governor’s proposals to promote the avoidance of tobacco products. Tobacco has been shown to have detrimental musculoskeletal effects, both directly through smoking and passively through secondhand smoke inhalation.
There are other provisions in the Governor ’s proposal, however, that are of great concern relative to their likely impact on the quality and availability of care.
Chief among these concerns are plans to eliminate physician supervision requirements for Physician Assistants with 8,000 or more “primary care” practice hours. This action will significantly diminish the quality, safety and reliability associated physician-led care, especially for vulnerable populations. The promise of more effective and cost-efficient care rests not on the idea of physician extender independence, but rather on better practice integration of these skilled providers under the existing supervisory structures that are paramount to both care quality and patient safety. We therefore urge the Legislature to reject this proposal and to prioritize building healthcare teams with appropriate safeguards and increased transparency.
Similarly, NYSSOS is concerned with the potential unintended consequences of the Governor’s proposal regarding ‘Site of Service Reviews.’ This is a complicated proposal that deserves further study and scrutiny before any changes are enacted. NYSSOS believes the timeline for enacting the state budget stifles the opportunity for deliberative discussions and this proposal should be considered outside of the budget process.
Lastly, the Governor ’s proposal to submit certain private practice matters to state review and approval may pose a considerable threat to the organic evolution of medical services, especially in communities where the need for care is most acute. Minimally, we would ask the Legislature to remove this policy matter from the omnibus budget legislation and carefully consider its implications as a stand alone proposal. Within any context however, as written, we would urge the Legislature to reject it.
###
About NYSSOS: Representing more than 800 orthopaedists across New York State, NYSSOS advocates for orthopaedic surgeons, patients and musculoskeletal health in New York State. NYSSOS is the orthopaedic community’s primary source of information and expertise concerning: legislative/regulatory advocacy (local, state and federal levels); practice trends and change; leadership training for national, state, and local issues and opportunities; assistance with establishing and maintaining a practice; and familiarity with state practice guidelines impacting the profession and patient care. Learn more at www.nyssos.org
Advocating for the orthopaedic surgeon, patients and musculoskeletal health in New York.
info@nyssos.org 1-518-439-0000 Address: PO Box 38004, Albany, NY 12203
