The AAOS approved an update to the 2015 Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
This CPG updated 18 of the 38 evidence-based recommendations included in the 2015 CPG.
This update resulted in 10 strong and six moderate recommendations for the surgical management of skeletally mature patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee.
View the new CPG
Amid a torrent of recent bill signings, Governor Hochul signed into law a measure (S4640/A273) mandating physicians treating painful neuromusculoskeletal conditions to consider, discuss, and, if appropriate, refer or prescribe non-opioid treatments before prescribing an opioid.
NYSSOS aggressively opposed this measure along with many other stakeholders due to its inherent interference with the physician-patient relationship and negation of the physician's expertise regarding treatment for neuromuscular problems. The enactment of this law was one of five bills signed by Governor Hochul to enhance access to care and treatment for substance use disorders. NYSSOS will continue to work with policymakers to mitigate the impact of the measure
In the meantime, NYSSOS is seeking clarity from state regulators concerning compliance and general implementation information. We will share any guidance provided by the state as soon as it becomes available.
In another action, Governor’s Hochul vetoed a bill (A879/S8113) that would have established important qualifications for clinical peer reviewers, who insurers and health plans use to make medical necessity determinations. The legislation would have required the reviewer to be a physician licensed in New York State and of the same or similar specialty as the physician who would typically manage the medical condition or disease or provide the treatment under review. Under current law, the reviewer does not have to be a physician licensed in New York State or have board certification and/or eligibility in the same or similar specialty.
NYSSOS joined with other organizations, including the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), to advocate in support of this measure. The governor’s veto message included a number of reasons for rejecting the measure, chief among them the concern that it would “pull specialists out of health care and into claims review, removing them from hospitals and specialty care offices” and thus exacerbating the current health care workforce crisis. The governor indicated that she planned to revisit the issue in the upcoming legislative session. NYSSOS will continue to partner with MSSNY and other organizations to address the inadequacies and inequities of current claims review processes and broader insurance and prior authorization reform.
The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) has published a Bulletin which officially states that incorporating certain tracking technologies into websites and mobile applications may cause HIPAA violations that could result in breach notification obligations as well as penalties. This includes platforms and services provided by companies like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Google.
Covered Entities need to take immediate steps to identify their uses of tracking technologies and whether there are appropriate safeguards in place to prevent inappropriate use or disclosure of PHI.
Learn More
NYSSOS STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S SIGNING OF LEGISLATION PROTECTING NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM CONCUSSIONS
By Babette Atkins, NYSSOS Executive Director
“Today, Governor Hochul signed into law legislation (S973/A8425) requiring non-public schools to abide by the Concussion Management Awareness Act of 2011. NYSSOS has been a strong advocate of this legislation.
“Under the new law, non-public schools must now meet the same concussion training and protocol standards as public schools, including: requiring biennial training for coaches, physical education teachers, nurses and athletic trainers on the signs and symptoms of concussions and the guidelines for returning to school; requiring the immediate removal of a student from athletic activities if it is believed they have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury; authorizing schools to establish concussion management teams; and other provisions.
“NYSSOS is grateful to Governor Hochul, Assemblymember Burke, Senator Gaughran and the Legislature for providing these necessary protections for non-public school students.
“While this legislation represents real progress in our efforts to assure students across all educational settings have the protections they deserve, more needs to be done. We look forward to continuing our work with policy makers to afford every reasonable protection possible.”
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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
Today, Governor Hochul signed into law legislation requiring non-public schools to abide by the Concussion Management Awareness Act of 2011. NYSSOS has been a strong advocate of this legislation (S973/A8425).
Under the new law, non-public schools must now meet the same concussion training and protocol standards as public schools, including: requiring biennial training for coaches, physical education teachers, nurses and athletic trainers on the signs and symptoms of concussions and the guidelines for returning to school; requiring the immediate removal of a student from athletic activities if it is believed they have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury; authorizing schools to establish concussion management teams; and other provisions.
NYSSOS and our partners worked with Legislative leaders to ensure passage of the legislation, and after its passage in the Senate and Assembly sent a formal letter to Governor Hochul requesting that she sign the bill into law.
We are grateful to the Governor and the Legislature for providing these necessary protections for non-public school students.
NYSSOS Immediate Past President John DiPreta, MD made two important visits to state legislative allies this week to recognize their strong leadership on critical musculoskeletal policy initiatives, and to accept a special message from the lawmakers marking NYSSOS’ 50th Anniversary.
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh, (pictured in the blue suit) stands with Dr. DiPreta and holds the 2022 NYSSOS “Advocate of the Year” award, presented to him for his work in helping to ensure all patients have access to musculoskeletal care.
Senator Neil Breslin (grey suit and red tie), who co-sponsored with Assemblymember McDonald prior authorization reform legislation known as the “gold card” bill, presents to Dr. DiPreta a New York State Senate Proclamation honoring NYSSOS for its 50 years of service to the musculoskeletal community. Assemblymember McDonald also presented a New York State Assembly Citation to mark the NYSSOS milestone.
Midterm election could shift balance of power in state legislature. On the eve of the midterm elections, much of the political focus in New York is on the race for governor and some key Congressional races…(nystateofpolitics)
For Election Day, here's what to know and what to watch. A primer on everything from absentee ballot-counting to the races that matter..(timesunion)
Board of Elections: NY poll workers prepped with de-escalation training. Threats to democracy have remained a top issue for voters this year as a Russian businessman Monday admitted to interfering in U.S. elections and says he'll continue to do so…(spectrumlocalnews)
Ballot questions New York voters will be asked on Election Day. New Yorkers filling out their ballots on Election Day will find more than just candidates…(pix11)
Voting law changes allow formerly incarcerated New Yorkers to vote. This midterm election could be the first year that formerly incarcerated New Yorkers have their voice heard since their convictions due to a 2021 law that reformed voting laws in the state…(nystateofpolitics)
Capital Health Consulting LLC 136 State Street, Suite 501 | Albany | NY | 12207 www.capitalhealthconsulting.com
Biden visit highlights dueling Hochul, Zeldin plans for New York's economy. The race for governor of New York this years been dominated by a debate over public safety, crime and how to fairly treat people accused of breaking the law…(nystateofpolitics)
Oregon could be 1st state to make health care a human right. Oregon voters are being asked to decide whether the state should be the first in the nation to amend its constitution to explicitly declare that affordable health care is a fundamental human right…(apnews)
Hospitals test the goodwill of Congress on Medicare cuts. Hospitals are pleading with Congress to postpone looming Medicare pay cuts, citing what they say has been an extraordinarily difficult year…(axios)
YouTube Health expands validation process for health information. As it attempts to combat health disinformation, YouTube is allowing certain healthcare professionals to apply for verification…(modernhealthcare)
WHO: Tuberculosis cases rise for the first time in years. The number of people infected with tuberculosis, including the kind resistant to drugs, rose globally for the first time in years, according to a report Thursday by the World Health Organization…(apnews)
The New York State Department of Health has extended its completion deadline for the cultural competency CME requirements to November 1, 2022 for physicians and other network providers of Medicaid Managed Care plans.
The requirement stems from the Mainstream Medicaid Managed Care, HIV Special Needs Plans, and Health and Recovery Plans Model Contract Section 15.10(c) requires that the MMCP “...ensure the cultural competence of its provider network by requiring Participating Providers to certify, on an annual basis, completion of State-approved cultural competence training curriculum, including training on the use of interpreters, for all Participating Providers’ staff who have regular and substantial contact with Enrollees.”
DOH’s notification indicates the requirement can be fulfilled through courses offered by US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health, Think Cultural Health. Only 1 of the 3 courses is necessary to fulfil the requirement.
Access a previously published DOH letter to Health Plan Administrators with more details about the requirements.
Fact Check: Gubernatorial debate between Zeldin and Hochul. The first and only gubernatorial debate is in the books…(cnycentral)
Governor Hochul Announces Steps to Protect New Yorkers from Respiratory Illnesses This Fall and Winter. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced steps the New York State Department of Health is taking to raise awareness of and protect New Yorkers against respiratory virus infections that are spreading this fall and expected to continue through the winter…(governor.ny)
Can independent voters make the difference in New York governor's race? For Tim Dunn, neither Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul nor her Republican opponent, Lee Zeldin, offer much for independent voters like him…(nystateofpolitics)
Concussion protocols are based on research of mostly men. What about women? Lindsay Simpson still has questions about her concussions…(npr)
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
