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NYS SOciety of ORTHOPAEDIC Surgeons

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  • Sat, March 16, 2019 12:00 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    By: Terry Stanton

    Incoming First Vice-President Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, emphasized the central role the Academy plays in enabling and empowering orthopaedic surgeons to provide high-quality, high-value care to patients during his address at yesterday’s Your Academy 2019 event.


    In education, while surgeon learners have ever-increasing numbers of options from multiple sources, the Academy “remains the go-to resource for musculoskeletal learning and knowledge,” Dr. Bosco said. “This requires that AAOS serve many masters, from residents to the most experienced surgeons and from [general orthopaedic surgeons] to the most subspecialized among us.”

    Orthopaedic surgery is in a “transformative time” that “presents an opportunity to maintain our preeminence in musculoskeletal care,” said Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, during yesterday’s Your Academy 2019.

    Meeting the educational needs of so disparate a universe of physicians “is a daunting task,” he continued. “But through the leadership of Paul Tornetta III, MD, and a superb and dedicated staff, our educational offerings are evolving rapidly to meet these challenges. Whether it is individualized educational tracks here at our Annual Meeting, our new and improved Orthopaedic Video Theater (now a member benefit), or our new state-of-the-art Orthopaedic Learning Center, we provide educational offerings that serve every type of learner and subspecialist.”

    The Academy’s Council on Advocacy, “led by Wilford K. Gibson, MD, and his dedicated team, work tirelessly to ensure that healthcare policy and government regulation serves to enhance our ability to provide high-quality, high-value care for our patients. Whether it is our industry-leading Orthopaedic Political Action Committee or our incessant lobbying on the Hill, the Academy is constantly working with policy leaders to ensure that our profession and patients’ needs are met.”

    In the matter of quality, Dr. Bosco said, “By any means of measurement, we have always provided high-value, high-quality, life-altering care for our patients.” A central role of the Council on Research and Quality “is to demonstrate the quality of care we provide to our patients,” Dr. Bosco said. “It is not to tell us how to care for our patients. Through evidence-based data, it provides each of us the ability to make informed decisions on what is the best care for our patients.

    “The transformative times [in which] we practice presents an opportunity to maintain our preeminence in musculoskeletal care,” Dr. Bosco said “As first vice-president, I will work tirelessly and closely with Incoming President Kristy L. Weber, MD, and our Incoming Second Vice-President Daniel K. Guy, MD, to serve you and our profession.”

    As the Academy moves forward, he said, “There will be victories and perhaps [some setbacks], but rest assured that together, we will continue the transformative trajectory of our organization.”

    Terry Stanton is the senior science writer for AAOS Now. He can be reached at tstanton@aaos.org.

  • Fri, March 15, 2019 12:00 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2019)—In recognition of his dedication to advancing diversity in orthopaedics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today presented its 2019 Diversity Award to Michael L. Parks, MD, clinical director of Orthopedic Surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, during the organization’s 2019 Annual Meeting.

    The Diversity Award recognizes members of the Academy who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding commitment to making orthopaedics more representative of, and accessible to, diverse patient populations.

    “I am honored to be recognized by the AAOS,” Dr. Parks said. “In order to provide care for an ever-increasing diverse population, we must understand their needs. The diversity of our faces helps with this understanding and ultimately our ability to provide excellent care for the patients we serve.”

    “Dr. Michael Parks has been involved in diversity-related conversations and ideas since the moment I met him,” said Ramon L. Jimenez, MD, Dr. Parks’ former mentor-turned-colleague. “He has always promoted diversity in a quiet and effective manner. He works tirelessly to point out and decrease disparities in musculoskeletal care.”

    Dr. Jimenez, who also happens to be a past recipient of the AAOS Diversity Award, said Dr. Parks draws students in and offers advice and encouragement. “He knows how to look back, give back, and bring folks along,” said Dr. Jimenez.

    Dr. Parks specializes in total joint replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery, where he serves as vice chair for Quality. He also serves on the hospital’s Board of Trustees and is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell School of Medicine.

    Dr. Parks has led a number of research projects at HSS, with a particular interest in socioeconomic and racial disparities in access to arthritis care and total joint replacement surgery. He has published numerous journal articles related to joint replacement outcomes and racial differences.

    In 2018, Dr. Parks was named president of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. He is a former president of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

    Colleagues describe Dr. Parks as an exemplary leader who is actively involved in many organizations and teams working to break barriers across racial, ethnic and gender disparities for both patients and future physicians.

    Valerae O. Lewis, MD, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explained, “Dr. Parks is a skilled, thoughtful and caring colleague and surgeon. We need more orthopaedic surgeons like [him], a physician who works to conquer disparities within orthopaedics and within our health care system.”

    Dr. Lewis notes Dr. Parks’ work earlier in his career as the chief of orthopaedics at North General Hospital in Harlem, where many black and Latino patients were at risk of not receiving needed treatment. Dr. Parks led the alliance efforts between North General and Mt. Sinai Hospital to improve patients’ access to care.

    He currently serves on the steering committee of the Movement is Life Caucus, which seeks to understand and address disparities in musculoskeletal health care. Dr. Parks is also actively involved with Nth Dimensions, a nonprofit organization that works to increase representation of women and minorities in orthopaedic surgery.

    Dr. Parks was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and went on to earn his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he received the President’s Clinical Science Award. After completing an internship in general and thoracic surgery, followed by an orthopedic residency at Duke University Medical Center, he continued his training at Hospital for Special Surgery with a fellowship on the Hip and Knee Service.

    Photos of the award ceremony are available upon request.

    # # #

    About the AAOS

    With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

    For more information, contact:
    Kayee Ip    847-384-4035    312-543-3211    ip@aaos.org
    Kelly King Johnson    847-384-4033    217-377-9745    king@aaos.org

  • Wed, March 13, 2019 12:00 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    On Monday, March 11, 2019,  the AAOS Board of Directors approved the complete updates of both the Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries and the Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infections Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs).

    Both CPGs were originally published in 2010, during a time when the available evidence for orthopaedic surgery was limited and the field of evidence-based medicine was still maturing at a rapid pace.

  • Mon, March 11, 2019 12:16 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    The new Medical Fee Schedule (Pathology and Laboratory section, Ground Rule 12), updating the reimbursement for services to injured workers, takes effect April 1, 2019. The NYS Workers Compensation recently issued guidance on clarifying that the Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines recommendations govern urine drug testing.

    An excerpt of the Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guideline criteria is provided as a reference.

    The new Medical Fee Schedule incorporates standards from the Board’s 2014 Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines and offers guidance as to the frequency of urine drug testing based on the level of risk for each patient. The updated rules do not contain the same level of detail, medical analysis and instructions as are contained in the Board’s Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines. Every medical provider should always use any applicable Medical Treatment Guideline when providing treatment and care to a workers’ compensation patient.

    The Medical Fee Schedule states in every section that the Medical Treatment Guidelines set forth the standard of care and will prevail when there is a conflict between the two documents.

    In Ground Rule 12, the Medical Fee Schedule identifies low/moderate/high risk test results and behavior and provides guidance as to how frequently urine drug testing may be performed in a medical provider’s office. The chart in the Ground Rule indicates that testing should be performed at different frequencies depending on a patient’s level of risk. The NAP-MTG on page 54 includes a similar chart. The chart in the NAP MTG sets forth that urine drug testing should be performed at least the annual allowable indicated for the applicable level of risk. The NAP MTG provide more detail and set forth the medical standards required for managing patients being treated for non-acute pain management.

    As set forth on page 54 of the Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines, Risk Category (Score) and Random UDT Frequency:

    •    Low Risk patients should be tested at least once per year
    •    Moderate Risk patients should be tested at least twice per year
    •    High Risk patients should be tested at least 3-4 times per year
    •    Any patient demonstrating aberrant behavior should be tested at the time of visit

    For more information, please review the Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines, First Edition, September 15, 2014.

  • Mon, February 18, 2019 4:55 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    On February 13, 2019, the New York State Department of Health provided the following advisory to physicians:

    Effective April 1, 2018, a written treatment plan in the patient’s medical record is required if a practitioner prescribes opioids for pain that has lasted for more than three months or past the time of normal tissue healing.

    There are exceptions for patients being treated for:

    • Cancer that is not in remission
    • Hospice or other end-of-life care and
    • Palliative care.

    The treatment plan must follow generally accepted national professional or governmental guidelines, and shall include (but is not limited to) the documentation and discussion of the following clinical criteria within the medical record:

    • Goals for pain management and functional improvement based on diagnosis, and a discussion on how opioid therapy would be tapered to lower dosages or tapered and discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks;
    • A review with the patient of the risks of and alternatives to opioid treatment; and
    • An evaluation of risk factors for opioid-related harms.

    Such documentation and discussion of the above clinical criteria shall be done, at a minimum, on an annual basis.

    For an example of a generally accepted national governmental guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/modules/dpk/2016/dpk-pod/rr6501e1er-ebook.pdf.

    Additionally, AAOS has developed a Pain Relief Toolkit that can be accessed online: https://aaos.org/Quality/PainReliefToolkit/?ssopc=1

  • Thu, February 14, 2019 3:06 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    Check the Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool to view your eligibility status for the 2019 performance period under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

    Enter your National Provider Identifier to find out if you need to participate in MIPS during the 2019 performance year.

    For More Information:

  • Tue, February 05, 2019 12:35 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    Let the House of Medicine hear your voice! Every member of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons has the opportunity to provide input regarding the development of policies and positions impacting orthopaedic surgeons and we encourage you to get involved!

    Working with NYSSOS Board of Directors, NYSSOS members have advocated for Resolutions that have covered a variety of issues including: 

    • Fair Health Transparency
    • Use of High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid to treat Knee Osteoarthritis
    • Pathology Specimens
    • WC Preferred Provider Organizations
    • Repeal of the New York State Medicare/Medicaid 20% Payment Charge
    • Truth in Advertisements or Marketing Materials to the Public 

    What is a Resolution?

    Resolutions set forth background information and propose a course of action to change policy, laws and regulations at the state and federal levels.  

    Resolutions are constructed with background information ("Whereas" clause/s) and conclude with a specific proposal oh how to change the issue at hand ("Resolved" clause/s).

    When Crafting a Resolution Keep in Mind the Following:

    • What do I want to change?
    • Is there existing policy, statute or regulation?
    • Who can effect the desired change?
    • Are there potential allies?
    • What are the financial consequences?
    We will help you craft and refine your idea and then submit it for consideration at this year’s MSSNY House of Delegates Meeting.  Please email Babette Grey, Executive Director at bgrey@nyssos.org 
  • Tue, December 11, 2018 9:45 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.

    OrthoInfo articles can help patients be better informed and participate more fully in their care and recovery. 

    Visit the site today

  • Mon, December 10, 2018 5:30 PM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    At the Federal Level

    The AAOS Office of Government Relations, along with 15 other medical specialties, has given its support to legislation that would help relieve interns and residents of student loan debt. The bill (H.R. 5734), introduced by Rep. Brian Babin, DDS (R-Texas), would allow medical or dental interns or residents to defer their loans, interest-free.  > Read More 

    At the State Level

    In 2008, New York enacted an initiative called the Doctors Across New York Program  to help train and place physicians in underserved communities in a variety of settings and specialties to care for New York´s diverse population. The program offers two tracks:  the Doctors Across New York Physician Practice Support and Physician Loan Repayment programs. Due to statutory For a 3-year service obligation, there is a maximum amount of $120,000 provided for loan forgiveness. Learn more bout the program

  • Tue, December 04, 2018 9:18 AM | Babette Atkins (Administrator)

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new online tool that allows patients to compare costs for certain procedures that are performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

    The Procedure Price Lookup tool displays national averages for the amount Medicare pays and the national average copayment amount a beneficiary with no Medicare supplemental insurance would pay the provider.

    For example, the average total cost of a total disk arthroplasty with diskectomy is $11,213 at an ASC versus $15,371 at a HOPD; the average total cost of an anterior cervical diskectomy is $7,337 at an ASC versus $10,123 at a HOPD. 

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


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