May 2023 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
Geisinger Medical Center performs 1st lumbar spinal fusion with ‘lifetime guarantee’
Edward DelSole, MD, has performed the first lumbar spinal fusion surgery with a lifetime guarantee at Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Community Medical Center.
Dr. Michael Gallizzi completes his 200th robotic spine surgery
Spine surgeon Michael Gallizzi, MD, completed his 200th robotic case on April 4, according to The Steadman Clinic.
OrthoVirginia to open $50M facility
Tune in for today's industry updates.
Surgalign sells spine portfolio for $17M
Xtant Medical has acquired Surgalign's Coflex product line for $17 million.
Private equity is a mainstay in orthopedics. This group aims to change that.
Durham, N.C.-based EmergeOrtho, Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy and Seattle-based Proliance Surgeons banded together to form an orthopedic group free of private equity, and its leaders hope others will follow their lead.
Here’s how 6 spine surgeons prepare before a busy day
For many people, a morning and night routine can help with preparing for a busy day, and the same goes for spine surgeons. Here's how six spine surgeons say they like to prepare ahead for their workdays:
Does ChatGPT have a future in spine? 3 surgeons weigh in
ChatGPT has already been used by some health systems to ease clinical burdens. However, not all spine surgeons are keen to utilize the artificial intelligence software in their own practice.
SPINE
Prior authorization reform ‘long overdue,’ says 1 spine surgeon
Prior authorization can be a long process for physicians and patients, resulting in time delays, increased paperwork and disrupted patient care.
Geisinger Medical Center performs 1st lumbar spinal fusion with ‘lifetime guarantee’
Edward DelSole, MD, has performed the first lumbar spinal fusion surgery with a lifetime guarantee at Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Community Medical Center.
Dr. Michael Gallizzi completes his 200th robotic spine surgery
Spine surgeon Michael Gallizzi, MD, completed his 200th robotic case on April 4, according to The Steadman Clinic.
Neurosurgeons back legislation to improve Medicare physician pay system
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons praised lawmakers for introducing HR 2474, a bill aiming to improve Medicare's physician pay system.
Dr. Michael Verdon partners to offer spine surgery warranty
Neurosurgeon Michael Verdon, DO, partnered with Marvel Group to provide a spine surgery warranty at his practice in Dayton, Ohio.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Top healthcare trends 5 surgeons are following
Consolidation, artificial intelligence advancements and the rise in robotic-assisted procedures are three healthcare trends that spine and orthopedic surgeons are closely following.
Does ChatGPT have a future in spine? 3 surgeons weigh in
ChatGPT has already been used by some health systems to ease clinical burdens. However, not all spine surgeons are keen to utilize the artificial intelligence software in their own practice.
What the shift to outpatient care means for the orthopedic industry
Eight orthopedic surgeons connected with Becker's to discuss what the shift to outpatient care means for the orthopedic industry.
Here’s how 6 spine surgeons prepare before a busy day
For many people, a morning and night routine can help with preparing for a busy day, and the same goes for spine surgeons. Here's how six spine surgeons say they like to prepare ahead for their workdays:
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Private equity is a mainstay in orthopedics. This group aims to change that.
Durham, N.C.-based EmergeOrtho, Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy and Seattle-based Proliance Surgeons banded together to form an orthopedic group free of private equity, and its leaders hope others will follow their lead.
Connecticut orthopedic practice implements AthenaOne HER
Advanced Orthopedics New England, which is based in Hartford, Conn., added AthenaOne as its electronic health record system, AthenaHealth said April 6.
Rothman Orthopaedics’ CEO exits
Christopher Olivia, MD, is leaving his post as CEO of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, effective immediately, according to a statement shared with Becker's March 30.
2 California orthopedic practices form 25+ physician group
San Diego Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center is joining Synergy Orthopedic Specialists in San Diego to form a group with more than 25 physicians.
Medical office portfolio leased to Hope Orthopedics sells for $20M
A four-building medical office portfolio in Salem, Ore., that is 100 percent leased to Hope Orthopedics has sold for $20 million, according to a March 6 email sent to Becker's.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
What 5 Stryker execs were paid since 2020
Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo's total compensation grew to about $18.6 million in 2022, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission proxy filing.
DePuy Synthes to restructure orthopedic segments
DePuy Synthes plans to restructure to grow its sports medicine and shoulder surgery businesses, former executive Rajit Kamal said in a March 5 LinkedIn post.
BEAR implant to be distributed within veteran’s health medical supply
Miach Orthopaedics struck a deal with Veteran’s Health Medical Supply to distribute the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration implant across the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, the devicemaker said March 7.
Surgalign sells spine portfolio for $17M
Xtant Medical has acquired Surgalign's Coflex product line for $17 million.
New AI software aims to reduce unnecessary orthopedic, spine surgery
Sword Health unveiled an artificial intelligence platform designed to reduce unecessary spine and orthopedic surgeries.
ASC
UnitedHealthcare to cut prior authorization usage by 20%
UnitedHealthcare plans to cut back on its use of prior authorization, removing procedures and medical devices from its list of services requiring signoff and reducing the number of authorizations from 13 million to 10 million annually, according to a March 29 report from The Wall Street Journal.
SCA Health names new CEO
SCA Health's CEO Caitlin Zulla has been promoted to CEO of Optum Health's east region, according to a March 10 statement.
AmSurg ASCs have new deal with Aetna
AmSurg's more than 250 surgery centers are now in-network with Aetna after Envision Healthcare signeda multiyear deal with the insurer.
Physicians see income drop — what happens next?
From skyrocketing inflation to CMS pay cuts, physicians are facing compensation declines affecting their practices and livelihoods.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Penn Medicine eliminates administrative jobs in cost-cutting move
Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine is eliminating administrative positions as part of a reorganization plan to save the health system $40 million annually, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported March 13.
29 physician specialties ranked by happiness
Physicians' happiness varies greatly by specialty, with plastic surgeons reporting the most contentment outside of work, a Feb. 24 Medscape report found.
20 hospitals with smallest CEO-to-worker pay ratios
CEO pay at large has been a target of criticism by workers in recent months, including physicians and travel nurses, and the issue has surfaced as healthcare professionals negotiate their own pay.