January 2023 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
Proposed wRVUs for 9 spine procedure
The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery shared CMS' 2023 proposed work relative value units for nine spine procedures compared to expert recommendations.
Safety grades at 10 of the best US hospitals for orthopedics
Ten hospitals ranked as the top orthopedic hospitals in 2022 by Newsweek have been given safety grades between "A" and "F" from health safety and quality organization The Leapfrog Group.
10 orthopedic surgeons join Crystal Clinic
Fairlawn, Ohio-based Crystal Clinic added 10 orthopedic surgeons, and nine were previously affiliated with Cleveland-based St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
CMS adds 4 new ASC covered procedures
The No Surprises Act has created financial challenges for anesthesiologists, the American Society of Anesthesiologists said Nov. 15.
Aetna settles 239-person class suit over spine surgery coverage
Aetna Life Insurance reached a settlement to resolve a 239-person class action lawsuit over its coverage of lumbar artificial disc replacements.
The challenge with valuebased care for orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons face a unique challenge in the transition to value-based care as a procedure-driven specialty, one industry leader says.
Building a spine practice in the ‘outcomes economy’: Q&A with Dr. Alok Sharan
Alok Sharan, MD, in October left NJ Spine and Wellness in East Brunswick, N.J., and established his own practice, Spine and Performance Institute, the next month.
SPINE
Proposed wRVUs for 9 spine procedure
The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery shared CMS' 2023 proposed work relative value units for nine spine procedures compared to expert recommendations.
Aetna settles 239-person class suit over spine surgery coverage
Aetna Life Insurance reached a settlement to resolve a 239-person class action lawsuit over its coverage of lumbar artificial disc replacements.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker has back surgery after consultation with Dr. Robert Watkin
Shaquille Leonard, a linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts, had season-ending back surgery after meeting with Robert Watkins, MD.
Dr. Alex Vaccaro retains No. 1 spine expert status
Alex Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute was recognized as the world's top-rated spine care expert for the second consecutive year by Expertscape.
Spine surgeon develops liposuction technique
Steven Cyr, MD, who has dual fellowship training in orthopedic and cosmetic surgery, developed a new liposuction technique called OrthoSculpt.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Building a spine practice in the ‘outcomes economy’: Q&A with Dr. Alok Sharan
Alok Sharan, MD, in October left NJ Spine and Wellness in East Brunswick, N.J., and established his own practice, Spine and Performance Institute, the next month.
Hospital for Special Surgery to collaborate with Florida nonprofit system
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery will collaboratewith Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System to bring orthopedic care to Naples and Southwest Florida.
10 orthopedic surgeons join Crystal Clinic
Fairlawn, Ohio-based Crystal Clinic added 10 orthopedic surgeons, and nine were previously affiliated with Cleveland-based St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
1st complex spine case under Rothman, CarePoint Health partnership completed
Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and Bayonne, N.J.-based CarePoint Health's partnership celebrated the completion of its first complex case at Hoboken (N.J.) University Medical Center, ROI-NJ reported Nov. 23.
Orthopedic Center of Florida partners with HOPCo
Fort Myers-based Orthopedic Center of Florida is partnering with Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company and plans to open a new location in Naples, Fla.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Building a spine practice in the ‘outcomes economy’: Q&A with Dr. Alok Sharan
Alok Sharan, MD, in October left NJ Spine and Wellness in East Brunswick, N.J., and established his own practice, Spine and Performance Institute, the next month.
Hospital for Special Surgery to collaborate with Florida nonprofit system
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery will collaboratewith Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System to bring orthopedic care to Naples and Southwest Florida.
10 orthopedic surgeons join Crystal Clinic
Fairlawn, Ohio-based Crystal Clinic added 10 orthopedic surgeons, and nine were previously affiliated with Cleveland-based St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
1st complex spine case under Rothman, CarePoint Health partnership completed
Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and Bayonne, N.J.-based CarePoint Health's partnership celebrated the completion of its first complex case at Hoboken (N.J.) University Medical Center, ROI-NJ reported Nov. 23.
Orthopedic Center of Florida partners with HOPCo
Fort Myers-based Orthopedic Center of Florida is partnering with Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company and plans to open a new location in Naples, Fla.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Globus Medical to turn to augmented reality
As Globus Medical's robotic footprint grows, the medtech company has its eyes on augmented reality in spine surgery, executive vice president and CEO Dan Scavilla said in a Nov. 8 earnings call.
Stryker developing spine, shoulder applications for Mako robot
Stryker is working on more applications for its flagship surgical robot, CEO Kevin Lobo said in an Oct. 31 third-quarter earnings call.
Dr. Jeffrey Carlson debuts intervertebral cage he designed
Jeffrey Carlson, MD, performed the first case with the Align Peek TLIF and PLIF intervertebral cage, his practice said Dec. 6
Inside SeaSpine’s 3rd quarter
From a major merger to four device releases, here are six major SeaSpine moves Becker's has reported on in the third quarter of the year.
There is going to be a fundamental shift from fusion to motion preservation,’ says Centinel Spine CEO
Steve Murray joined privately held spinal tech company Centinel Spine as its CEO on March 16, 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the U.S.
ASC
ASC chains to know going into 2023
Here are eight ASC chains to know going into 2023:
Florida physician pleads guilty to receiving kickbacks in $2.7M fraud scheme
Tampa, Fla.-based physician Sean Patrick O'Rourke, MD, has pleaded guilty to soliciting and receiving kickbacks and bribes, the U.S. Justice Department said Nov. 18.
Surgical Care Coalition on proposed pay cut: ‘A disregard for vulnerable seniors’
The Surgical Care Coalition issued a statement advocating for the nation's older adults in response to Congress' proposed $1.7 trillion year-end spending bill, saying the legislation will adversely affect that population.
USPI’s $1.2B SurgCenter deal: How one of the industry’s biggest acquisitions is unfolding
In November 2021, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, parent company of ASC chain United Surgical Partners International, said it would acquire SurgCenter Development and its more than 90 ASCs for approximately $1.2 billion
Physician pay is increasing in these specialties
Physician pay is increasing in eight specialties, according to Merritt Hawkins and AMN Healthcare's 2022 "Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives."
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Why more physicians are unionizing
While labor actions during the pandemic have more often involved nurses and other healthcare professionals, physicians are increasingly involved in union activities, including votes to unionize.
Federal judge declines 14 states’ challenge to CMS vaccine mandate
A federal judge in Louisiana on Dec. 2 declined a case brought by 14 states challenging the Biden administration's rule that requires COVID-19 vaccination for eligible staff at healthcare facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs
On the ‘brink of financial collapse’: California system CEO implores governor for funding
Visalia, Calif.-based Kaweah Health is a busy hospital with a robust emergency room seeing more than 81,000 patients per year. The hospital is among Healthgrades' top 250 hospitals in the nation and had a financially strong position pre-pandemic with an A3 Moody's Investors Service rating.
‘Career cushioning’ replaces ‘quiet quitting’ in a more uncertain job market
While the trend of "quiet quitting" gained traction on social media earlier this year, there is another workforce trend being discussed recently: "career cushioning," according to Bloomberg News.
Does prestige belong in medicine?
An air of prestige has accompanied a career in medicine for centuries. Today, those in medicine are still largely respected, but different factors — including the democratization of information, an increasingly polarized society and new care models — are changing the public's view of physicians and the patient-provider relationship.