November 2020

CT Ortho News - Anthem Issue, Advocacy, 100% PAC, 2021 Dues, New Website/Directory

OrthoNews & Updates October/November 2020 Message from COS President New Anthem Policy  Please read the recent message regarding a new Anthem policy, effective November 1st which impacts small joint surgery. Dr. Aronow issued an email message to all orthopaedic surgeons at the end of October. In a recent letter to Anthem, Dr. Aronow reiterated the concern of national organizations, including the AAOS, and requested a delay in the implementation of the policy until further review and discussion could occur. READ COMPLETE MESSAGE TO MEMBERSHIP READ COS LETTER TO ANTHEM COS Advocacy Efforts In District Meetings COS Vice President, Tarik Kardestuncer, MD (Norwich) hosted Congressman Joe Courtney at his practice last month. The visit followed the recent AAOS In District Advocacy event COS hosted for all CT House of Representatives and Senators. During the meeting with Rep. Courtney, Dr. Kardestuncer invited Rep. Courtney and his staff to visit him and his practice, Orthopedic Partners in Norwich tolearn more about the day-to-day impact Covid 19 is having on patients, the practice and profession. Dr. Kardestuncer and his practice colleagues discussed PPP, PPE and access to care for patients with Rep. Courtney. (From left; Rep. Joe Courtney, Orthopedic Partners HR Kathryn Hackett and COS Vice President, Tarik Kardestuncer, MD) COS Leadership and Orthopaedic Residents joined the In District virtual meetings which focused on advocating and supporting federal legislation, lead by the AAOS on these key issues. ·      Cuts recently proposed by CMS in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ·      Medical liability reform, ·      Prior authorization reform, and ·      Lifting restrictions on physician-owned hospitals.  COS 100% AAOS PAC Participation 2020 Thank you to all who contributed and to the COS Leadership for their dedication and commitment to enhancing the strength of the AAOS PAC. COS Membership 2021  While this has been a challenging time for our profession and critical time for the health of our State, the Connecticut Orthopaedic Society continues to advocate, inform, and support the orthopaedic community.   Even with the disruption of the 2020 legislative session, your Society worked for sensible health care reforms, Covid-19 liability relief and telehealth parity. In addition, the COS and its lobbyists represented you during discussions with the Governor’s Office, Department of Insurance, Department of Public Health and CMS on all matters related to Covid-19 and the continuum of care to patients.   The Society worked to provide timely Covid 19 updates, share business webinar with legal and practice experts, distributed telehealth codes and policies for all insurers to ensure patient care and practice reimbursement during the most critical stages of the pandemic.   We have much more work ahead to be done. Your ongoing involvement and dues renewal for 2021 is critical to the Society and vital to the advocacy, programs and representation by COS for the entire orthopaedic community – private practice, hospital and academic employed.  Now more than ever, your membership support is needed.  The COS is your strongest ally and the only statewide association committed to effecting positive change for the orthopaedic community and patients while delivering value to members with the low annual membership fee of $295.00.   The Society looks forward to serving, representing, and assisting the orthopaedic community and patients in 2021. Be sure to save the date for the 2021 COS Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 14, 2021 in Farmington, CT, when we plan to gather together for another outstanding program developed by Michael Kaplan, MD, COS Program Director.  Renew for 2021 Today - Three easy ways pay. Online www.ctortho.org Complete the “Pay by Check” form and enclose it with a check payable to the CT Orthopaedic Society.                                                           Arrange for convenient group billing, please call the COS at 860-690-1146, or email your request to ctorthoexec@gmail.com. Visit the New COS Website Update Your "Find a Surgeon" Profile The COS is pleased to launch the newly revised COS website. Visit www.ctortho.org today for timely updates, membership renewal and directory of surgeons* and be sure to update your profile. *Please note that this area of the website is for current members (2020 dues paid) of the Connecticut Orthopaedic Society. Once logged in, members will have the ability to request a password and manage their directory listing on our “Find a Surgeon” page and to renew your membership. If you wish to join/renew, you can do so online and create your profile. Any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Susan Schaffman.