November 2021 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
6 essential tips for spine surgeons entering practice
Establishing a practice can be daunting in the early days of a spine surgeon's career, where so many decisions are critical to ensure you're starting on the right foot, such as choosing the right orthopedic group or health system, signing a fair contract, developing your surgical technique or managing your finances.
Will neurosurgeons take over spine?
It has become more common over the past few decades for orthopedic surgeons to subspecialize in spine surgery, and now at least one neurosurgery program is gaining momentum in the space.
The state of robotics in spine surgery today: 14 observations
Surgical robots continue to make noise in the spine industry and are expected to pick up steam in the coming years as more devicemakers launch systems to compete with the Medtronic, Globus Medical and Zimmer Biomet systems that control most of the market.
6 numbers making spine surgeons nervous
From fighting CMS policy proposals to challenges with rising COVID-19 cases, spine surgeons have faced multiple hurdles since 2020.
What CMS pays for 15 spine procedures at ASCs vs. HOPDs
CMS' procedure price look-up tool allows users to compare average pay for several procedures in ASCs and hospital outpatient departments.
How Dr. Edward Dohring plans to transform NASS
Strengthening spine surgeon education is just one of many things Edward Dohring, MD, wants to accomplish as he steps into the role of president for the North American Spine Society. He also wants to grow diversity among leadership and engagement.
Meet North American Spine Society's '20 Under 40' class of 2021
The North American Spine Society released its "20 Under 40" list of spine care honorees under 40 years old Sept. 29.
10 highest-paying physician specialties in 2021, per Medscape
Plastic surgery is the highest-paying physician specialty in 2021, according to Medscape's 2021 Physician Compensation Report.
1st commercial cases performed with NuVasive's spine platform
The first commercial cases using NuVasive's Pulse Platform for spine surgery have been completed in Ohio and Texas.
Walmart, Amazon & more: 2 orthopedic surgeons on outside forces in healthcare
Amazon, Walmart and Walgreens have all taken steps into healthcare, but their lasting impact remains to be seen. Two orthopedic surgeons told Becker's how they feel about the companies' hand in healthcare.
'The perfect fit where we want it': How patient-specific implants can revolutionize spine surgery
In September, a Connecticut neurosurgeon became the second in the world to perform spine surgery with a newly approved patient-specific implant, which he believes can reduce complications and achieve superior outcomes over traditional implants.
SPINE SURGEONS
6 numbers making spine surgeons nervous
From fighting CMS policy proposals to challenges with rising COVID-19 cases, spine surgeons have faced multiple hurdles since 2020.
Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi operates on Whoopi Goldberg at Hospital for Special Surgery
Spine surgeon Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, operated on daytime television host Whoopi Goldberg, she said on The View.
Appellate court OKs $10M award in wrongful death suit against Laser Spine Institute
A Pennsylvania appeals court rejected arguments that a $10 million verdict in a patient death lawsuit against the now defunct Laser Spine Institute was so excessive that it required a new trial.
Spine surgeon sees TPAs reject procedures approved by insurer's policy
Orthopedic and spine surgeons have watched the preapproval process become more rigorous over the past few years, and one reason is third-party administrators, said Scott Blumenthal, MD, partner at Texas Back Institute in Plano.
The state of robotics in spine surgery today: 14 observations
Surgical robots continue to make noise in the spine industry and are expected to pick up steam in the coming years as more devicemakers launch systems to compete with the Medtronic, Globus Medical and Zimmer Biomet systems that control most of the market.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
How Dr. Edward Dohring plans to transform NASS
Strengthening spine surgeon education is just one of many things Edward Dohring, MD, wants to accomplish as he steps into the role of president for the North American Spine Society. He also wants to grow diversity among leadership and engagement.
How can value-based care improve in orthopedics? 4 surgeon insights
Four orthopedic surgeons told Becker's how value-based care can become more effective, from improving data analysis to using a stakeholder-focused approach.
'Patients will demand it': How awake spine surgery will develop in the next decade
Neurosurgeon Vijay Yanamadala, MD, made history on Oct. 1 when he became the first surgeon to perform an awake spinal fusion in New England.
'It is changing rapidly': The must-knows for the next generation of spine surgeons
A spine surgeon's career can be highly rewarding, both personally and financially, but the road to get there is not easy, and there are many factors to consider before deciding on a surgical specialty.
'The city became part of me': How 11 spine surgeons chose where to practice
From connections within training programs to personal bonds with a city, spine surgeons must weigh many considerations when deciding where to work.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
California health system sues neurosurgeons over alleged walkout
Fresno, Calif.-based Community Health System is suing a physician group claiming it withheld "lifesaving" neurosurgical trauma care "in an attempt to secure leverage over" Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 23.
Montecito acquires building that houses Rhode Island's largest orthopedic practice
Montecito purchased a medical office building in East Greenwich, R.I., housing University Orthopedics.
Mount Sinai awarded $2.3M to support spinal program
New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System's Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance received a $2.3 million grant to support its spinal cord injury program, the health system said Sept. 20.
8 fast facts on the leadership team of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
Chicago-based Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush is the No. 6 orthopedics center in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Here are eight fast facts on three of its executives:
IMAC Holdings acquires Louisiana orthopedic practice
IMAC Holdings acquired Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Rehab Institute in Baton Rouge, according to an Oct. 4 news release.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Patient-specific spine implant secures CMS reimbursement boost
Carlsmed's newly launched patient-specific spine implant, Aprevo, has been granted the New Technology Add-On Payment by CMS.
Zimmer Biomet names spine & dental spinoff, adds leadership
Zimmer Biomet has named its spine and dental spinoff ZimVie, and several executives were appointed to its leadership team, the company announced Sept. 14.
Orthofix surpasses 60K M6-C disc cases worldwide
More than 60,000 M6-C artificial discs have been implanted worldwide, Orthofix said Sept. 27.
Spinal fracture system earns breakthrough designation from FDA
Amber Implants' VCFix spinal system for treating vertebral fractures received a breakthrough device designation from the FDA, according to an Oct. 5 news release.
1st commercial cases performed with NuVasive's spine platform
The first commercial cases using NuVasive's Pulse Platform for spine surgery have been completed in Ohio and Texas.
ASC
'Profit-hungry bureaucracy' or 'much-needed capital investment'? How PE will shift the ASC industry
Private equity firms were the buyer in 63 percent of second-quarter deals, according to a Bass Berry & Sims report published in JDSupra.
USPI, SCA and Surgery Partners growth plans: 15 notes
Three of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. have added physicians and centers to their network and have ambitious growth plans.
State rescinds Illinois hospital's ASC permit granted in 2017
An Illinois review board has rescinded Advocate Sherman Hospital's permit to build a $12.7 million ASC that originally was approved in 2017, the Chicago Tribune reported Oct. 25.
The biggest threats to ASCs today
ASCs have faced multiple challenges since the pandemic began in March 2020, from limited elective procedures and temporary center closures to staff furloughs and high personal protective equipment costs.
Patients want the 'precision of robotics,' Florida administrator says
In the new "shopping" era of healthcare, some ASC leaders feel surgical robots are a way to stand out.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Judge tosses lawsuit alleging New York orthopedic surgeon set former office manager up for arrest
A civil lawsuit that alleged a NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon set his office manager up for a charge of grand larceny has been thrown out by a Manhattan judge, The Madison Leader Gazette reported Oct. 2.
Physician noncompete disputes continue, but Biden administration wants them exiled
Physician noncompete contracts are a common but sometimes contentious issue in the healthcare industry as they have the potential to disrupt the physician-patient relationship and remove physicians — who are already in short supply — from the workforce.
14% of physicians under 40 years old are in private practice: 17 insights
Early-career physicians continue to favor employed opportunities over private practice as declining reimbursements, steep medical school debt and the cost of malpractice insurance premiums remain key factors driving career choices, according to the "Medscape Young Physician Compensation Report 2021."
$17B coming for physician groups with pandemic revenue losses, HHS says
HHS made $17 billion funds available for physician groups and other healthcare providers that reported revenue loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why some payers, physicians object to the Texas physician 'gold card'
A new law that took effect Sept. 1 in Texas aims to ease the administrative burdens that insurance companies place on physicians, but some payers have voiced their opposition to the legislation, claiming it will put more patients at risk.