July 2021 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
The biggest opportunities in spine from 9 surgeons
From innovations in biologic treatments to physician advocacy and migrating cases to the outpatient setting, nine spine surgeons discuss the biggest opportunities in the field today.
Top 10 states for physicians to practice
Minnesota and four other Midwestern states were among the top 10 places for physicians to work, according to Medscape's Best & Worst Places to Practice 2021 list.
No regrets about dropping bundled payments, Rothman Orthopaedics president says
Although Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedics has eliminated bundled payments, its president, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, said using them is still worth it for some practices.
5 spine surgeons' thoughts on investing in ASCs
ASC investment is top of mind for some spine surgeons as more procedures migrate to the outpatient setting. However, it might not be the best move for everyone.
Which spine surgeries are becoming more prevalent at ASCs?
Spine and orthopedic procedures once considered complex — and often requiring days of recovery in the hospital — are now being performed at ASCs, with patients going home the same day.
Let's talk robots: 9 CEO insights from Medtronic, Stryker & more
The global surgical robot market is projected to hit $14.4 billion by 2026, up from about $6.4 billion in 2021, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.
Watch out doc: 5 worst states for physicians to practice, per Medscape
Medscape ranked the five worst states to practice, based on malpractice payouts, compensation, health system performance and physician happiness.
Laser Spine Institute founder sues former attorneys, says they caused $400M in losses
Tampa, Fla.-based Laser Spine Institute founder James St. Louis, DO, claimed in a lawsuit his former lawyers caused him to lose more than $400 million in a judgment by not communicating with him and breaching its fiduciary responsibilities.
How 4 spine surgeons are thinking about growth in the next 3 years
From increasing patient volume to expanding surgical presence and doubling down on white-glove service, four spine surgeons share how they are thinking about growth in the coming years.
SPINE SURGEONS
Orthopedics is no longer the highest-paid specialty: 19 insights on compensation, net worth & more
Orthopedic surgeons are no longer the highest-paid medical specialty in the U.S., with plastic surgeons on average taking home a larger salary each year, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2021."
Neurosurgical group, hospital to pay $10M for alleged improper billing
Phoenix-based Neurosurgical Associates and Dignity Health's St. Joseph's Hospital agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations of improper billings.
Former Sanford Health neurosurgeon to pay $4.4M to resolve kickback charges
Neurosurgeon Wilson Asfora, MD, and two medical device distributors he owns, Medical Designs and Sicage, agreed to pay $4.4 million to settle False Claims Act allegations.
Healthgrades' 100 best hospitals for spine surgery in 2021
Healthgrades published its 2021 Specialty Excellence Awards on Oct. 20, which includes the top hospitals for spine surgery.
US woman travels to India for spine surgery that her insurance refused to pay for
A 42-year-old American woman suffering from idiopathic scoliosis traveled to India to undergo a fusionless scoliosis surgery at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, The Hindu reported April 28.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Big insurance, big hospital & big government — the biggest threats to orthopedic physician-ownership
From increased practice consolidation to evolving marketing strategies and stiffer competition with big players, five spine surgeons discuss the biggest threats to physician-owned orthopedic practices.
Dr. Amit Parekh on factors to weigh in hospital contracts
Spine and orthopedic surgeons should be able to clarify their personal goals and approach potential hospital contracts with thoroughness, according to Amit Parekh, MD, of Miami Orthopedics.
The biggest opportunities in spine from 9 surgeons
From innovations in biologic treatments to physician advocacy and migrating cases to the outpatient setting, nine spine surgeons discuss the biggest opportunities in the field today.
What's keeping spine surgeons up at night?
From increasing regulatory changes to the possibility of a single-payer system, the concerns of spine surgeons are many. Here's a look at what's weighing on the minds of four.
5 spine surgeons' thoughts on investing in ASCs
ASC investment is top of mind for some spine surgeons as more procedures migrate to the outpatient setting. However, it might not be the best move for everyone.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Consolidation to become more mainstream in orthopedics — 2 surgeon predictions
Orthopedic practice consolidation is expected to increase in the coming years as hospital systems, insurers and private equity firms continue to recruit physicians and smaller physician-owned practices explore strategic options in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
4 surgeons stepping into leadership roles at Hoag Orthopedic Institute
Irvine, Calif.-based Hoag Orthopedic Institute is shaking up its leadership team with four key appointments since January:
Are orthopedic surgeons dropping Medicare, Medicaid patients?
Most orthopedic surgeons are continuing to take on Medicare and/or Medicaid patients, according to Medscape's "Orthopedics Compensation Report 2021," published May 14.
Orthopedic surgeons settle allegations of turning away opioid use disorder patients seeking joint replacements
The U.S. The Attorney's Office reached a settlement with Springfield, Mass.-based New England Orthopedic Surgeons amid allegations the practice turned away patients with opioid use disorder for total joint replacements.
Watch out doc: 5 worst states for physicians to practice, per Medscape
Medscape ranked the five worst states to practice, based on malpractice payouts, compensation, health system performance and physician happiness.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Let's talk robots: 9 CEO insights from Medtronic, Stryker & more
The global surgical robot market is projected to hit $14.4 billion by 2026, up from about $6.4 billion in 2021, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.
CEO pay for large spine, orthopedic companies
Executives at the top orthopedic and spine device companies receive millions of dollars in total compensation, according to proxy statements filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
Orthopedic surgeons critical of Intermountain's supplier switch
Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare's decision to drop Arthrex for DePuy Synthes products has come under fire, according to a report in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Medtronic sponsors American Spine Registry
Medtronic is the latest sponsor of the American Spine Registry, a collaborative effort between the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons that aims to improve spine surgery outcomes through data.
Medacta gets green light for AR spine system in Europe
Medacta's NextAR augmented reality surgical system has received CE marking for spine surgery, as well as for shoulder and knee applications.
ASC
Who's behind the recent opposition to proposed ASCs?
Three recent ASC proposals have received opposition from community groups and other healthcare organizations for reasons varying from traffic to excess services at other facilities.
A $125M expansion: Comprehensive Surgical Care's 20 planned ASCs
Physician-owned Comprehensive Surgical Care and its real estate partner have committed more than $125 million for a 20-ASC expansion nationwide.
Allina Health moving spine, orthopedic surgeries from HOPDs to new network of ASCs
Minneapolis-based Allina Health is moving higher-acuity procedures such as spine and orthopedic cases from hospital outpatient departments to newly developed outpatient surgery centers, according to the Star Tribune.
UnitedHealth Group's plan to drive more surgeries to ASCs
UnitedHealth Group made three long-term commitments as part of its sustainability efforts, including pushing more surgeries to ASCs, according to a June 15 company report.
2 Arizona ASC chains plan big national expansions
Two ASC companies are making a splash nationally with ambitious growth in the next 24 months.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Tech company buys 700-physician network in California
There's a new nontraditional company in town purchasing physician groups: a London-based digital health company.
Physician-owned Kansas hospital accuses former CFO, COO of stealing millions
Kansas Heart Hospital, a Wichita-based specialty hospital partially owned by physicians, is accusing its former CFO and COO of diverting funds and pocketing millions before resigning last year, according to a report from KAKE, an ABC affiliate.
Physician gets 59-year prison sentence for fraud, unnecessary surgeries
A physician in Chesapeake, Va., was sentenced to nearly six decades in prison May 18, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Minnesota nurse reinstated after being fired for wearing hospital-issued scrubs instead of own
Minneapolis-based Allina Health must reinstate former nurse Cliff Willmeng, RN, but doesn't have to issue back pay, an arbitrator determined April 21.
JPMorgan launches healthcare company, Morgan Health
JPMorgan Chase on May 20 unveiled its new healthcare company, dubbed Morgan Health, which its top executive told Becker's Hospital Review can be viewed as a continuation of Haven, an ambitious healthcare venture that recently disbanded.