Log in


NYS SOciety of ORTHOPAEDIC Surgeons

Articles

  • Tue, March 31, 2020 5:00 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    This advisory supersedes guidance from the New York State Department of Health issued on March 28, 2020, to clarify that this guidance applies to essential personnel who have been exposed to a confirmed OR suspected case of COVID-19.

    Public and private sector organizations that provide essential services or functions where personnel are needed to perform critical functions, including infrastructure, public safety, and other essential operations, may allow personnel who were exposed to or are recovering from COVID-19 to work in the workplace setting,if needed to maintain essential operations.

    Essential services or functions include but are not limited to public health personnel, utility and water operators, skilled manufacturers and supporting supply chains, transportation infrastructure, law enforcement, and emergency response personnel.

    Essential personnel who have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 can return if the following conditions are met.

  • Tue, March 31, 2020 5:00 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    This advisory supersedes guidance from the New York State Department of Health to Hospitals, Nursing Homes (NHs) and Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) pertaining to the COVID-19 outbreak, released on March 16, 2020, and further clarifies the updated guidance issued on March 28, 2020.

    Entities may allow healthcare personnel (HCP) who are confirmed with COVID-19 or  have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, or who have traveled internationally in the past 14 days, whether healthcare providers or other facility staff, to work if all of the following conditions are met.

  • Mon, March 30, 2020 8:35 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    As the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the U.S. economy, Congress has sought to intervene through the passage several legislative packages striving to minimize the overall impact to workers, businesses and the economy. Through these packages, two small business support programs were created both of which are detailed below.

    The first program was created through the passage of the first COVID relief package, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. That bill created a $1 billion fund to immediately assist small businesses hit hard by the current economic shutdown. Unlike traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) funding mechanisms, this program is being administered directly by the SBA and is live and accepting applications currently.

    The second program was created when the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. This historic $2 trillion economic stimulus package, including $349 million in federal funds appropriated specifically to support small business, outlines two loan programs intended to assist those impacted economically by this global pandemic.

    Small Business Administration Loan Program Note: Small businesses may apply to both programs but cannot participate in or accept funds from both programs. It is up to businesses to determine which program best fits the needs business before enrolling.

    Access the AAOS chart that defines eligibility, what the program does, loan forgiveness, and how to participate.

    How the CARES Act Impacts Orthopaedists

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is the third Covid-19 relief-related package that was considered by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.

    See the provisions most relevant to orthopaedic surgeons and their patients.

  • Sun, March 29, 2020 8:38 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    For the latest information and guidelines regarding telemedicine via telephone and video conferencing, download the AAOS Telemedicine Resource Guide     

    Access a comprehensive list of commercial health plan payers and their coverage policies for telemedicine services > Learn More

    Find comprehensive telemedicine coding information for COVID-19: AAOS Coding Guide for COVID-19

    For the latest information and guidelines regarding telemedicine via telephone and video conferencing: AAOS Telemedicine Resource Guide

    AMA Special Coding Advice During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

  • Fri, March 27, 2020 8:37 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    On March 27, 2020 the Governor announced that for a 60 day period, consumers and small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance, including auto, homeowners, renters, workers comp, medical malpractice, livery and taxi. No late fees will be assessed and no negative data will be reported to credit bureaus during this time, and late payments will be payable over a one-year period. More details are forthcoming.

    Additionally, you may call your malpractice carrier to ask about their additional accommodations for relief, such a reduction to part-time status.

  • Sun, March 22, 2020 5:01 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced relief for clinicians, providers, and facilities participating in the Medicare quality reporting programs.

    Among other programs, clinicians and providers will be granted exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions pertaining to measure reporting and data submission for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The deadline for submitting 2019 MIPS data has been extended to April 30.

    Those clinicians who fail to submit their MIPS data by that date will receive an extreme and uncontrollable circumstances exemption (i.e., they will receive a neutral adjustment).

    > Learn more

  • Thu, March 19, 2020 1:46 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    Both the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Department of Health (DOH) have sent out notifications relating to the Covid-19 outbreak reminding health insurers, physicians and hospitals that New York law requires coverage for telemedicine in the same manner as if care had been provided in an office setting.  For more information about how to start and choosing a vendor visit the AAOS Practice Management/Telemedicine center

    • To read the NYS Department of Financial Services circular letter, click here
    • For NYS Medicaid guidance click here
    NYS Workers Compensation has issued amendments to allow telemedicine in some circumstances for social distancing purposes due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The text can be found here
    Moreover, Congress passed a law last week that reduces current restrictions on Medicare coverage for telemedicine. A fact sheet can be found here.

    Summary of Medicare Telemedicine Services

    Summary of types of service, what the service is, HCPCS/CPT codes and Patient Relationship with Provider

    Source: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet

  • Thu, March 19, 2020 11:45 AM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    We have all been receiving multiple notifications and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.  There are more confirmed cases, school systems are closed and concerns regarding infrastructure, ICU beds, emergency room and hospital personnel exposure, and recent more restrictive bans on gathering sizes and nursing home visitation.  The CDC recommends rescheduling non-urgent outpatient visits as necessary.

    Current efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus include social distancing and quarantine restrictions as necessary depending on exposure, risk, symptoms, and testing. Testing still lags behind and hopefully continues to improve.  As physicians we need to continue to be prudent, compassionate, lead by example, and be guided by science.  We collectively need to practice improved health hygiene going forward and limit the spread not only of this virus, but other innumerable transmissible diseases in our society.

    Our Executive Director Babette Grey is continuing to actively monitor the  MSSNY website, New York State Department of Health, CDC, and other resources daily.  She and the board are a resource and are here to help as needed. > Access the resource page

    Protecting our patients, staff and visitors continues to be of the utmost importance.  My private single specialty orthopaedic practice, physical therapy, imaging and ASC process more than 1000 patients per day.  Instituting social distancing earlier has been shown to save lives.  Many of our patient population falls into a vulnerable category and much of the work we do is elective.  We currently are seeing urgent patients and keeping our open access clinic for fractures open to help offload the emergency rooms with screening of patients and discouraging non--urgent office visits.  That being said, we are still having patients in the elderly group trying to walk in to get a cortisone shot in the knee and other nonessential visits as today I have seen patients with arthritic knees and pain since July and an elbow problem since July despite discouraging those visits.  This is one of the problems unless people completely shut down.

    On behalf of the NYSSOS Board, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families, patients, staff, facilities and your communities.  We are continuing to work for the orthopaedic surgeons of the state of New York and nationally to be able to continue to improve the ability to take care of musculoskeletal problems for our patients.  Please reach out to us if we can be of assistance or a resource.


    James Slough, MD FAAOS
    President

  • Thu, March 12, 2020 2:01 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    Physicians should utilize the New York State Department of Health website that has up-to-date information on COVID-19 and includes information on known cases of COVID-19, cleaning and disinfection guidance, help for childcare providers and schools, and guidelines for individuals who have recently traveled internationally.
    https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/providers.htm

    Reporting
    COVID-19 is a reportable disease.  If novel Coronavirus is suspected, immediately notify the local health department (LHD) where the patient resides.

    Health care providers should review: CDC's Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals Evaluating Persons Under Investigation (PUI)

    Free Communication Resources 
    CDC offers free resources including video, fact sheets, and posters. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html

    Additional Resources
    CDC Website for Healthcare Professionals 
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html

     
  • Tue, March 03, 2020 9:20 AM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    OrthoInfo, the AAOS patient education website, is a free member resource that provides orthopaedic surgeons and patients with authoritative, in-depth information about musculoskeletal health.

    The website features more than 400 articles, videos, and animations on common orthopaedic problems, surgical procedures, nonsurgical treatments, injury prevention, and healthy living. All content is developed and peer reviewed by AAOS members.

    Written in simple language, OrthoInfo articles can help your patients be better informed and participate more fully in their care and recovery.

    Visit the site

About the Society

Advocating for the orthopaedic surgeon, patients and musculoskeletal health in New York.

Contact Us

info@nyssos.org
1-518-439-0000
Address: PO Box 38004, Albany, NY 12203


Copyright © 2017 New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Privacy Policy
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software