Call to Action: Fight the Threat Against In-Office Ancillary Services Take Action!
Dear Colleague:
We have been notified that Congress has requested the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to examine the potential savings of eliminating the in-office ancillary services (IOAS) exception from the Stark Law, essentially banning physicians from owning advanced imaging and physical therapy services, among others. There is concern that if the CBO reports out significant savings from closing the IOAS exception, Congress will use those savings to help prevent the impending "fiscal cliff."
The ability to provide in-office ancillary services within an orthopaedist's office is an integral resource for musculoskeletal patients with limited mobility. You and I know that the prohibition of in-office ancillary services could present significant harm to our patients. We've all seen how additional travel often exacerbates patient conditions, or worse yet, forces them to forgo their treatment altogether.
It is also perplexing to me that if Congress is so focused on improving care coordination, why they would get rid of an integrated care model, like IOAS, which combines a variety of musculoskeletal caregivers to deliver comprehensive healthcare to our patients. You and I know that fragmented care often delays treatment and causes costly additional tests to be performed because the treating physician is not present.
Tell them that significant technological advances have been made in our field so that patients can receive timely and accessible screenings and therapy services from the comfort of their doctor's office. Stress that fragmentation of care means lower quality and higher costs for their constituents.
Sincerely,
John R. Tongue, MD
President
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
