With November upon us, we are in an election season which will determine the ease or hardship we have fighting and advocating to take care of our patients, manage a practice, and maintain the physician-patient relationship.
Reduced regulations, easier or no pre-authorizations for indicated testing, appropriate reimbursements, malpractice/tort reform, antitrust relief, and more common sense Worker’s Compensation rules and regulations are some of the many things your NYSSOS Board is advocating for. We are involved with regulations and advocacy to help orthopaedic surgeons improve musculoskeletal care at the state and national level.
We had a successful and informative annual meeting at the University of Rochester in September. A special thanks to Sam Flemister MD for doing such a great job as program coordinator. Next year’s meeting will be in September in Albany and I would like to extend an invitation to all to attend for great educational talks along with advocacy and practice management updates.
We would like to thank and recognize outgoing NYSSOS President John Olsewski MD for his tireless work and advocacy on all of our behalves the past two years. He improved our fiscal stability, improved the Worker’s Compensation board relationship, started our MLMIC reduced nerve injury in total joint initiative which we will be rolling out next year, and has been fighting for eliminating silent PPO reductions below the New York State Worker’s Compensation rate which is currently increasing.
I encourage all Orthopaedic surgeons to make sure to join your New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (NYSSOS) and ask those who are already members to renew your membership.
We are stronger together and we represent all orthopaedic surgeons in the state whether private practice, academic or employed physicians, or physicians in training.
Please make a special point to encourage your partners or colleagues to join and also contribute to the OrthoPAC which is our advocacy arm. Society membership dues do not go to OrthoPAC and we have been growing the size, importance, and relevancy of our state PAC which goes to state issues and is separate from the AAOS PAC.
Please reach out to your District Representatives, your Board of Councilors, the NYSSOS Board, Babette Grey (our excellent Executive Director), or me with issues or concerns that come up so that we can be a resource and of assistance.
James Slough, MD NYSSOS President 2018-2020
The NYS Workers' Compensation Board has launched a first-in-the-nation initiative that allows injured workers and other participants to attend workers' compensation hearings right from their homes or offices. The Board's virtual hearings provide a way to move the claim process forward without the need to travel many miles for a hearing that may last only minutes, which is especially beneficial depending on the extent of their injuries.
To participate in a virtual hearing, the party of interest needs only a smart phone, tablet or computer with a microphone and video camera, as well as a high-speed internet connection. All participants can see and hear each other on their respective screens. Additionally, workers’ compensation law judges can share claim documents with all involved parties. The system includes security.
The Board is also developing a mobile app, for future release, that parties may download and use to attend hearings.
Virtual hearings are entirely optional, and parties may now choose them over attending a hearing at a Board office. They can always choose to attend in-person if they prefer.
More information on virtual hearings, including instructional videos and other training materials, is at www.wcb.ny.gov/virtual-hearings.
NYSSOS is pleased to announce that MLMIC has designed an orthopaedic specific Risk Management CME program.
This course is available to NYSSOS members who are also MLMIC policyholders.
This program can meet the criteria to be eligible for CME+ applicable premium credit (5-12%).
For more details click here
Governor Cuomo has called for a series of “listening sessions” across New York State to receive public comment regarding a proposal to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana in New York State.
There are public health concerns with this proposal including but not limited to the following.
In the era of narcotic dependence and associated catastrophic outcome, the State of New York is seeking to legalize this substance. It is important to have a consistent and scientifically sound public health policy concerning this issue.
We encourage all physicians to participate in these listening sessions and provide your expertise and feedback.
NYSSOS is excited to announce a new partnership with the MLMIC, New York’s largest medical malpractice liability insurance company for physicians, hospitals, and dentists.
Under the new partnership, NYSSOS and MLMIC seek to improve patient safety and quality of care while remediating the adverse medical malpractice environment in New York.
As part of its first endeavor, NYSSOS and MLMIC will execute programs dedicated to individual patient safety initiatives, such as the reduction in occurrence of nerve injuries after joint replacement surgery.
The official launch of the patient safety educational program will take place in early 2019. Details will be shared on the NYSSOS website at http://www.nyssos.org/and mlmic.com.
Having been founded by an orthopaedic surgeon by the name of Arthur J. Mannix, Jr., back in 1975, MLMIC shares a special connection with the specialty and has long been an advocate for the profession.
Learn more about this ground-breaking initiative at the upcoming NYSSOS annual meeting and symposium, scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. MLMIC representatives will be there to share details on the project. Click here to register for the meeting.
Early Bird Rates End Today! Register Today and Save Your Seat
Meeting Features This year's meeting features 20 different presentations geared to help you avoid complications and improve outcomes in common orthopaedic conditions. See complete schedule of events
Additionally, experts in the field will provide guidance on alternative payment models, medical aspects of the medical record and management of the injured worker.
Resident Education New this year, Michael Rauh, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor from the University of Buffalo will prepare residents for practice after residency. Residents and medical students can attend for free!
2018 Legislator of the Year Award We are proud to announce Senator Rich Funke and Assemblyman Michael Cusick as the honorees for the 2018 NYSSOS Legislator of the Year award. This award is bestowed to them for their commitment to preserving access to sports medicine physicians who provide high-quality, continuous care to team members and coaching staff.
Saying Thank You This is your opportunity to thank NYSSOS President John M. Olsewski, MD, for his exceptional stewardship and guidance this past two years as we continue to enhance orthopaedic care throughout the state. Under his direction, the Society earned the title of 2017 AAOS State Society of the Year, has increased its services, strategic relationships, membership and financial stability
ACCREDITATION This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CERTIFICATION The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Recently, the New York State Workers Compensation Board provided training on the 2018 Impairment Guidelines' approach to assessing Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) permanent impairment. The new 2018 SLU Guidelines took effect January 1, 2018.
A recorded version of the webinar training, as well as a copy of the slide deck, are now available on the Impairment Guidelines page on the Board's website.
More information
For more information on the Schedule Loss of Use Guidelines, please visit the Impairment Guidelines page on the Board's website and the Workers’ Compensation Guidelines for Determining Impairment.
Questions? Contact 2018Guidelines@wcb.ny.gov.
As a physician, you play a critical role in certifying medical documentation in a timely manner and raising awareness of Paid Family Leave among your patients and their families.
Physicians can determine if a patient with a serious health condition is in need of family care and help them receive the support they need. Additionally you can provide the required certification or documentation to patients and family members who request Paid Family Leave for either bonding with a new child or caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
This presentation will:
There are two opportunities to attend. There will be time at the end for questions and answers as well.
When you click 'Register here', you will be taken to a general information page. You must click 'Register' on the bottom of that page to sign up.
More Information
Complete details regarding Paid Family Leave are available at ny.gov/PaidFamilyLeave, including Employee and Employer request forms
Additionally, downloadable guides:
You can also call the Paid Family Leave Helpline at (844) 337-6303, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for more information or assistance
A public hearing has been scheduled by the New York State Superintendent of Financial Services (the “Superintendent”), pursuant to Section 7307 of the New York Insurance Law, to consider the Plan of Conversion (the “Plan”) adopted by the Board of Directors of Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company, a New York mutual insurance company (“MLMIC”).
The public hearing will be held at the offices of the New York State Department of Financial Services, One State Street, New York, NY, 10004 (6th floor in the main hearing room), beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 23, 2018.
To view a digital copy of the entire notice of public hearing, click here.
To view a digital copy of the Plan of Conversion, click here.
For additional information about the transaction, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or call 1-888-998-7871.
The New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the University of Rochester Medical Center are pleased to invite you to the: NYSSOS 2018 ANNUAL MEETING AND SYMPOSIUM “Pearls and Pitfalls in Diagnosis and Management” Saturday, September 22, 2018
With over 20 presentations on topics ranging from the mutli-traumatized patient, to complex rotator cuff, this one day event is focused on providing you with the most current information in the field and opportunities to engage with the faculty for question & answer sessions.
N ew features for this meeting include: Guidance of APMs, Use of Self-Reported Outcomes, Managing the Injured Worker, Safe and Effective Opioid Prescribing
In addition, we are hosting a Resident luncheon on Navigating Entry into Practice
Take advantage of this one day event! Register today!
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
