From a new bundled payment initiative to an online tool to check the approval status of biologic products, here are eight key developments from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons this year:
1. In October, the society introduced the AAOS Biologics Dashboard to inform physicians about the approval status of biologic innovations.
2. CMS and the AAOS' registry program will collaborate on a model year four Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Program, beginning Jan. 1.
3. AAOS voiced its opposition to CMS' proposal to eliminate Medicare's inpatient-only list in an Oct. 1 letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
4. The organization is launching a Fracture & Trauma Registry with a limited invitation in late 2020. Full enrollment is set for spring 2021.
5. In August, AAOS urged CMS to reconsider its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule for 2021, which outlines significant cuts to reimbursement rates for orthopedic surgical services.
6. The OrthoForum, a network of orthopedic private practices, named the AAOS Registry Program as the recommended registries for its members in July.
7. The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation teamed with AAOS in May to raise funds for biologic research for orthopedic diseases.
8. AAOS in April awarded accreditation for FundamentalVR's orthopedic training technology.