January 2021

Ortho News: E/M Codes-Effective, Omnibus Bill ,Medicare Reimbursement,Dues Renew

OrthoNews & Updates January 2021 Wishing You and Yours a Happy and Healthy New Year! New Materials - E & M Changes & Other Updates Effective January 1, 2021 In addition to the information and material provided in last month’s Enews article on the most extensive of the CPT changes, effective January 1, 2021, the COS is pleased to provide, courtesy of Garfunkel Health Advisors, the documents and webinar recording from the recent online presentation, "CMS Finalizes Major Changes to 2021 E/M Coding and Documentation Requirements”. Access documents here. Access webinar recording here.  If you missed last month's issue and the material provided, please review this brief overview of the E & M new and established patient codes that has been provided courtesy of Integrated Physicians Management Services, Inc., www.ipmscorp.com . The COS appreciates this helpful overview and summary of the changes. Omnibus Package Includes Mitigating Medicare Reimbursement Cuts & Surprise Billing Solution The COS was pleased to support the national advocacy efforts of the AAOS and many other national specialty organizations to advance the policies found in the recent federal Covid-19 package. AAOS President, Dr. Bosco, summarized the package and outlined the key wins for orthopaedic surgeons including mitigating the impending Medicare reimbursement cuts for 2021 and a positive solution for surprise medical billing. READ AAOS PRESIDENT’S LETTER. COS representatives held in-district legislative meetings to gain the support of CT Representatives and Senators and issued several calls to action to COS membership. Thank you to those who responded to the grassroots efforts.  While there will be much work to be done in 2021, at both the state and federal levels, it is encouraging to see that when everyone works together for the collective good of the profession and patients, it can have a positive impact and outcome.  Renew Your 2021 COS Membership Your participation and renewal is vital to the work of the COS; supporting the profession, the practice and patients. 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 continued to lobby for sensible health care reforms, Covid-19 liability relief and telehealth parity. In addition, the COS 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 and practice suggestions, distribute telehealth codes and policies for all insurers to ensure patient care and practice reimbursement during the most critical stages of the pandemic. 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. 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 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 again for another great program developed by Michael Kaplan, MD, Meeting Program Director. Please Renew Your COS Membership for 2021. Three Easy Ways to Pay.   Pay online and update your new directory profile.                                                                    Credit Card Online www.ctortho.org Complete the 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. Any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Susan Schaffman. *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.