Dear NVOS Members,
Happy New Year!
The articles contained in this e-newsletter are excerpted from AAOS newsletters and other media sources to help our members stay current on national issues.
The NVOS Staff |
Study: Many Patients Have Incorrect Expectations About Treatment Benefits And Harms
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Data published online in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine suggest  that many patients may have unrealistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 35 studies covering 27,323 patients. They found that most participants overestimated intervention benefit and underestimated harm. "Clinicians should discuss accurate and balanced information about intervention benefits and harms with patients," the researchers write, "providing the opportunity to develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions."
Read more...
Read the abstract...
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Release Of Medicare Payment Data Unlikely To Initiate Fraud Cases, But Could Bolster Them
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An article in Modern Healthcare looks at the issue of public release of U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payment data and how it might affect cases of suspected Medicare fraud. According to a spokesperson for a law firm that often represents whistle-blowers, "There's nothing inherently fraudulent about doing a large number of procedures," and thus being among the highest-paid physicians. That same spokesperson notes however, that whistle-blowers are required to have independent knowledge of wrongdoing, and the release of Medicare payment data could bolster a case based on information from a whistle-blower. Read more... |
Review Study Looks At Opioid Prescribing
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A review study published online in the journal The BMJ looks at the effect of opioid prescribing for low back pain. The researchers note that opioids appear to have short-term analgesic efficacy for chronic back pain, but state that benefits for function are less clear. They examine guidelines and safety strategies for the use of opioids, analyze data from a number of relevant studies, and offer suggestions for future research. "There is no evidence that opioids improve return to work or reduce the use of other treatments," the researchers write. "They may even limit the effectiveness of other treatments. Clinicians may want to monitor treatment success on the basis of functional ability, in addition to self-reported pain severity." Read the abstract... |
MedPAC May Recommend Keeping Medicare Payments Flat
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At its December meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) reinforced its opposition to the current sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Although commissioners noted that current payments seem adequate based on access indicators, disparities in compensation raise concerns about the accuracy of fee schedules. They continued to call for repeal of the SGR, noting that temporary overrides create uncertainty, administrative burdens, and barriers to broad-based reform and that the recent slowdown in spending has reduced the cost of repeal. MedPAC suggested a "per beneficiary" payment for primary care to replace the primary care bonus that expired this year. In addition, MedPAC is likely to recommend eliminating payment updates for ambulatory surgical centers, kidney dialysis, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospice care and long-term care hospitals in its report to Congress in March.
View the presentations...
Read the meeting transcript (PDF)...
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Survey: Despite Receiving Multiple Job Offers, Many Residents Would Choose Another Field If Given The Opportunity
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A survey of final-year residents conducted by Merritt Hawkins & Associates� finds that 62 percent of respondents received 50 or more job solicitations, 46 percent received 100 or more. The survey included responses from more than 1,200 medical residents who were about to complete their training and enter the job market. Additional findings include:
- 25 percent of respondents would choose a field other than medicine if they had to make the choice again
- 3 percent said that they would prefer to practice in communities of 25,000 people or fewer
- 2 percent said that they would prefer to work in a solo practice
- 68 percent said they would prefer employment by a hospital, medical group, or outpatient clinic
Read more (PDF)...
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CMS Rule Changes Could Affect How ACOs Are Formed
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An article from Lexology notes that recently proposed regulations from CMS could have implications for entities that wish to form accountable care organizations (ACOs) to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The writers note that existing CMS regulations require an ACO formed by two or more "otherwise independent" participants to be a separate, independent legal entity. However, prospective participants have raised questions as to the exact meaning of "otherwise independent" and the specific parameters of when a separate legal entity is required. The writers state that the proposed regulations appear to resolve these questions by requiring the formation of ACOs as separate legal entities whenever two or more participants are identified by a unique taxpayer identification number. The proposed CMS regulations are currently in a 60-day comment period that will conclude Feb. 6, 2015.
Read more...
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Thank you to our 2014 NVOS Reno Regional Meeting Exhibitors
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2014-2015 Board of Directors
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