September 2023 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
MedVanta adds 3 leaders
Orthopedic management services organization MedVanta added three leaders to its team.
7 big orthopedic device companies paid hundreds of millions to physicians last year
Orthopedic device companies paid millions to surgeons in 2020 despite the pandemic, according to the CMS Open Payments database.
The state with the most top-ranked neurosurgery hospitals
New York has the most top-ranked neurology and neurosurgery hospitals for 2023 and 2024, according to new data from U.S. News and World Report.
Inpatient spinal fusion costs vs. cervical spinal fusion costs in all 50 states
Spinal fusion tends to cost more compared to cervical spinal fusion, according to Sidecar Health's care calculator.
Stark law changes ramp up in 2023
Here are four Stark law changes Becker's has reported on since Feb. 15:
Where does spine need a disruptor most?
The spine surgery industry has seen major shifts through the years. But some areas may be due for a serious shakeup.
‘Most tone-deaf move to date’: Spine surgeons react to CMS’ proposed 3.34% pay cut
CMS on July 13 released its proposed 2024 Medicare physician fee schedule, and it includes a decreased conversion factor of 3.34 percent.
Could spine practices implement 4-day work weeks?
The five-day long work week is common for many professions, but reducing it by a day has become a new idea.
SPINE
Unnecessary spine, orthopedic surgeries on the rise
The number of unnecessary surgeries performed in the field of spine and orthopedic care is on the rise, with an estimated 50 percent of lumbar spine surgeries deemed unnecessary, according to an Aug. 2 report from Forbes based on a Harvard Business Review study.
The state with the most top-ranked neurosurgery hospitals
New York has the most top-ranked neurology and neurosurgery hospitals for 2023 and 2024, according to new data from U.S. News and World Report.
Spine surgeon gets 33 months for accepting $315K+ in kickbacks
David Payne, MD, was sentenced to 33 months in prison after he was found guilty of accepting bribes for performing surgeries at the now-defunct Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, Calif.
AAOS renews call to protect healthcare workers in wake of fatal shooting
Following the fatal shooting of a Tennessee hand surgeon, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons expressed support for stronger protections for physicians and other healthcare professionals
Tennessee orthopedic surgeon killed by patient
A 29-year-old man was charged in the July 11 death of Benjamin Mauck, MD, at Campbell Clinic’s Collierville, Tenn., office, Action News 5 reported.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
‘Most tone-deaf move to date’: Spine surgeons react to CMS’ proposed 3.34% pay cut
CMS on July 13 released its proposed 2024 Medicare physician fee schedule, and it includes a decreased conversion factor of 3.34 percent.
Where does spine need a disruptor most?
The spine surgery industry has seen major shifts through the years. But some areas may be due for a serious shakeup.
Awake spinal fusion, posterior cervical laminoplasty and more: Spine procedures best poised for the ASC
ASCs and outpatient surgery have the benefit of letting patients recover at home the same day they go to the operating room. While many spine techniques are becoming less invasive, migrating cases to ASCs can take time.
Rothman Orthopaedics’ strategy to ‘grow intelligently’: Q&A with Dr. Alex Vaccaro
Forty-one clinic locations across four states. One hundred thousand surgeries completed and 22 new physicians hired in 2022. Revenue growth of 8.2 percent year over year.
From the classroom to the board room: Rothman Orthopaedics’ DEI initiatives to diversify the field
The disparity between men and women in orthopedics remains stark; however, Philadelphiabased Rothman Orthopaedic Institute has formed initiatives to address it.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
The top priorities for Rothman Orthopaedic Institute’s interim CEO
Stabilizing the revenue cycle was the first priority for Ed Tufaro, interim CEO of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia Business Journal reported Aug. 7.
OrthoNebraska takes private equity investment from InTandem Capital Partners
Omaha-based OrthoNebraska and InTandem Capital Partners completed a strategic equity investment, the firm said Aug. 2.
Hospital for Special Surgery appoints associate surgeons-in-chief
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery named Answorth Allen, MD, and Mathias Bostrom, MD, as associate surgeons-in
MedVanta adds 3 leaders
Orthopedic management services organization MedVanta added three leaders to its team.
Dr. Daniel Kim joins Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center
Spine surgeon Daniel Kim, MD, joined Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
7 big orthopedic device companies paid hundreds of millions to physicians last year
Orthopedic device companies paid millions to surgeons in 2020 despite the pandemic, according to the CMS Open Payments database.
Genesys Spine launches new SI joint fusion system
Genesys Spine launched the SIros O transfixing sacroiliac joint fusion system, the devicemaker said June 26.
Stryker’s Q system launches with cranial guidance software
S tryker launched its Q Guidance System with cranial guidance software, the devicemaker said July 11.
Augmedics raises $82.5M in financing, reaches 4,000th case
Augmedics closed $82.5 million in series D financing to support the growth of Xvision, the medtech company said June 27.
Dr. Kamaldeep Momi performs 1st procedure with standalone ALIF system
Kamaldeep Momi, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in neck and spine procedures, has performed the world’s first procedure using Altus Spine’s lumbar standalone interbody fusion system at the Fellowship Surgical Center in Mount Laurel, N.J.
ASC
Physician groups are being snapped up — 5 reasons why
As costs rise and the industry increasingly consolidates, physician practices are increasingly looking to hospitals, health systems and commercial groups for financial security, according to a report published June 7 by the American Hospital Association.
Stark law changes ramp up in 2023
Here are four Stark law changes Becker's has reported on since Feb. 15:
The fate of private practices
The number of private practice physicians in the U.S. is declining, but why? And what does this mean for the future of private practice as a whole?
The future of ASCs in 1 word
The future of ASCs may prove to be simultaneously bright and challenging.
ASC margins can’t take it anymore
For many ASCs, margins can't tighten anymore. But cost pressures persist and insurance companies haven't adjusted to reflect rising supply and labor costs.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
The 15-minute meeting that transformed Cleveland Clinic
When Tom Mihaljevic, MD, took over as president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic five years ago, something began to weigh heavily on his mind.
Healthcare’s tedious work is also dangerous
The U.S. healthcare system is one of extremes, in which the same patient on the same day can experience herculean efforts to return to health while being denied a $12 medication, according to one physician's op-ed in The New York Times.