William C. Tally, MD, offers insights into why he believes reimbursement and consolidation will shake up the spine industry in the next year.
Dr. Tally is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Georgia Regents University School of Medicine/Athens Campus and also treats patients at Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic Clinic.
Dr. Tally will be speaking at the Becker's 16th Annual Future of Spine + The Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference. To learn more and register, click here. Contact Maura Jodoin at mjodoin@beckershealthcare.com or Kristelle Khazzaka at Kkhazzaka@beckershealthcare.com for further information about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
Question: What do you think will impact the spine field the most in the next year?
Dr. William Tally: I think the biggest impact will be reimbursement and consolidation. Hospitals will continue to use leverage and power to force us into employment models. Those that can navigate the reimbursement changes will be able to stay viably self-employed. My biggest concern is the overall transition to employment-based practice and our subsequent loss of system control; that will not serve our patients well.
Q: What new techniques are grabbing hold in the spine space?
WT: The biggest technical change will be the continued rise of minimally invasive spine and the correlated transfer of spine procedures into an ambulatory surgery center setting.