March/April 2022

CT Ortho News - Legislative Update, 2022 Annual Meeting Advance Registration Required, Contribute to Birdies 4 Charities - Support Ortho Residencys

OrthoNews & Updates March/April 2022 2022 CT Legislative Update Since the legislative session began in February, the CT Orthopaedic Society has submitted testimony, presented at public hearings, and worked with the Society’s lobbying firm to advocate for bills that would provide meaningful reform, support orthopaedic surgeons and their practice and provide patient protections. Special thanks to COS President, Dr. Tarik Kardestuncer, Dr. F. Scott Gray, AAOS Councilor, and COS Immediate Past President, Dr. Michael Aronow, for representing the orthopaedic community presenting oral testimony at public hearings on several important bills.   With less than a month away to the end of session, the COS and lobbyists continue to work on the key bills including ASC tax credits, Prior Authorization Reform, High Deductible Health Plans and reimbursement parity. We may be reaching out to the membership with grassroots alerts to lend your voice to our collective advocacy.   A list of the bills the COS is tracking, testifying and lobbying on is below with a brief summary of the COS position. In addition to these bills, the Society is also monitoring the Vaccine Administration by Medical Assistants, that includes supervision by Physician Assistants and Opioid Treatment Plans expanding non opioid treatment discussion to include chiropractic care. If you have questions, please contact Susan Schaffman at ctorthoexec@gmail.com. SB 441, AAC A Credit for Ambulatory Surgical Centers Passed out of Committee. Supported proposed tax credits to help offset the loss of the million-dollar exemption and rectify the ZERO reimbursement by Medicaid for implants used in the care and surgical treatment of our patients.    HB 5450, An Act Concerning Telehealth Public Hearing - can not move as a vehicle. Supported the ongoing use of telehealth by extending insurance coverage for residents who temporarily reside out of state.   HB 5447 – An Act Concerning Prior Authorization for Health Care Provider Services House Calendar Promoted the Texas Gold Card law and to work with the legislature to ensure the language of this bill initiates meaningful reform to the burdensome prior authorization policies of health care insurers.    HB 5449 – An Act Concerning Certificates of Need House Calendar Opposed further costs to a burdensome CON process and in support of free market forces.   SB 354 – An Act Concerning Reimbursement for Certain Covered Health Benefits Public Hearing - can not move as a vehicle. Opposed grouping all providers of health care services under one payment umbrella, recognizing the substantial difference in education, training and skill set of orthopaedic surgeons and the physician community at large.   HB 363 – An Act Concerning Health Insurance Reimbursement Parity for Podiatrists Favorable Report - to be scheduled for vote. Opposed this bill as it would inhibit individual contracting, sets a dangerous precedent for all professionals who contract for their services and has the potential to increases cost to an already burdened healthcare system   HB 5410 AAC High Deductible Health Plans Public Hearing - can not move as a vehicle. Supported reforming the current High Deductible insurance market by altering the collection responsibility to mitigate any further erosion of the physician-patient relationship and stop the self-imposed rationing of care by our patients.   SB 415, AAC Step Therapy, Adverse Determination and Utilization Reviews Public Hearing - can not move as a vehicle. The orthopaedic community supported the measures proposed to change the current adverse and utilization review policies utilized by insurers that have a negative impact on the efficient and effective care and treatment of our patients.    S.B. 89 – An Act Concerning Surgical Smoke Senate Calendar Recognized the importance of policies however the implementation of and the mandate for the use of a surgical smoke evacuation system were opposed due to the lack of information and scientific research for optimal approaches to specific surgical settings.   H.B. 5261 – An Act Increasing Access to Reproductive Health Care   Joint Favorable Substitute Language The Society did not opine on reproductive health care in Connecticut but focused on the concerns that surgical procedures would be performed by Physician Assistants, APRNs and nurse-midwifes, changing their scope of practice without advanced training to perform the surgical procedures.   HB 5235 – An Act Concerning the Calculation of Prejudgment Interest on a Plaintiff's Offer of Compromise Joint Favorable Substitute Language Opposed extending the 8% interest period on a plaintiff’s prejudgment offer to be calculated from the date of the cause of action, a significant change from the current offer to compromise date.   SB 222 An Act Requiring Notice of Discontinuing Prescription Medicine Under a Workers’ Compensation Claim Reported out of LCO Supported patient protections by requiring patient notification of a prescription discontinuance and allows recourse with the provision of an informal hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Commission, allowing the injured worker to advocate on their own behalf.    SB 13 An Act Reducing Prescription Drug Prices Senate Calendar Supported reducing drug prices to ensure Connecticut residents, our patients, are able to afford and pay for their prescription medication.   SB 5042 – An Act Concerning Health Care Cost Growth House Calendar The COS supported the Governor’s goal to drive a better resourced primary care infrastructure however expressed the Society’s significant concerns about the portion of the bill that seeks to develop and enact health care cost parameters and quality benchmarks. The bill does not provide for external checks and balances of the extensive oversight and authority the Office of Healthcare Strategy would have if this bill were enacted.  Donate to the COS Foundation Your Contribution +15% Please join us for this exciting fundraising initiative- 115% of your donation will go directly to the Foundation!   For every dollar you donate, the Foundation will receive an additional 15% from the Birdies for Charity Program. Make your donation go further by donating through Birdies for Charity, now until June 26, 2022. Use the online direct contribution link to make your tax-deductible donation. The Society's Foundation receives all contributions. Help us continue the ongoing support of both Yale and UConn Orthopaedic Residency programs which to date, the Foundation has contributed $190,000.00 combined. Thank you! YES, I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE Are You Registered? 2022 COS Annual Meeting Friday, May 6, 2022 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT Advance Registration is REQUIRED. Deadline to Register April 26th Please register ONLINE. Join your colleagues for the 2022 COS ANNUAL MEETING, the CME accredited educational event features presentations by orthopaedic surgeons who are leaders in their field. Program Director, Michael Kaplan, MD, has developed a relevant and engaging educational program ffor Connecticut's orthopaedic community, Physician Assistants and Physical Therapists. The day will include breakfast, lunch, exhibitors and the Society's award presentations. All 2022 dues paying members attend at no additional fee however advanced Registration is required. Register online by April 26th. We look forward to seeing you. 2022 COS Annual Meeting Agenda Malignant Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors of the Hand Edward Athanasian, MD – Chief Emeritus, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York.  Free The Knee- A Common Sense Method for Getting Total Hip Results with Total Knee Patients Life Lessons from World’s Great Composers H. Del Schutte, Jr., MD – Director, Charleston Institute of Advanced Orthopaedics, Chief of Surgery and Medical Director of the Comprehensive Joint Program, East Cooper Medical Center, South Carolina.   The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Arthroplasty Peter Sculco, MD– Hip and Knee Replacement,  Hospital of Special Surgery, New York   Technology Adoption in Practice: A Spine Surgeon's Perspective Sheeraz Qureshi, MD– Patty and Jay Baker Chair in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York.   The Musician's Upper Limb: Unique Treatment Needs O. Alton Barron, MD - Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, Senior Attending Physician, Roosevelt Hand to Shoulder Center at OrthoManhattan and Medical Director, Pinnacle Surgery Center, Austin, Texas. Orthopaedic Surgeon Burnout: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Alan Daniels, MD – Chief, Division of Spine Surgery, University Orthopaedics, Rhode Island and Associate Professor, Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School.   Workers’ Compensation in Connecticut – An Update Chairman Stephen Morelli – State of Connecticut, Office of Workers’ Compensation Commission.   UConn and Yale Orthopaedic Resident Papers   Orthopaedist of the Year Award (posthumously)     Craig Tifford, MD               Honorary Member Awards                 Michelle Ciarlelli and Carol Hornish       Humanitarian Service Award                                    Kenneth Paonessa, MD                   Please Note: All Connecticut Covid-19 protocols in effect at the time of the meeting will be followed and enforced. Additional protocols may be determined by the COS Board and attendees will receive notification. Thank you!          2022 COS Annual Meeting Sponsors and Exhibitors The COS appreciates the support and participation of the 2022 Annual Meeting Sponsors and Exhibitors. Please stop and visit them during the meeting to learn more about the products and services they offer to the orthopaedic community and patients.   Gold Sponsor  CJRI - Trinity Health New England   Breakfast Sponsor Vericel Luncheon Sponsor Yale – Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation         Exhibitors Advanced Recovery Specialists BD Interventional Surgical Specialties Bioventus CSL Behring Coverys Depuy Synthes Depuy Synthes Endo Pharmaceuticals Enovis (formerly DJO) Globus Medical Heron Therapeutics Integris Group IJT Surgical IWP (Injured Workers Pharmacy) Innovative Medical Products Integrated Physician Management Services Konica Minolta MedArtis Morgan Stanley Pacira Biosciences Prestige Medical Imaging ROM Technologies Smith Brothers Smith & Nephew Sterling Medical Stryker Stryker Vericel Yale – Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation Zimmer Biomet Zimmer Biomet Zimvie 2022 Membership Have You Renewed? Working on behalf of Connecticut’s Orthopaedic Community and Patients.  Call or email COS with any questions at 860-690-1146; email: ctorthoexec@gmail.com RENEW ONLINE 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.   Your ongoing participation and 2022 membership in the Society is instrumental to the work of the COS and its Board. Simply go online to pay by credit card or complete the form and mail with your check payment.