August 2020

MA Ortho News-Workers Comp,Healthcare Bill in MA, CMS Proposed Cuts Fee Schedule

Orthopaedic News & Updates Mid August 2020 MOA to MA House and Senate Legislature Stop Unsafe Scope Expansion, Support Fair OON Reimbursement & Parity for Telehealth Visits MOA President Walter Stanwood, MD, continues to emphasize the importance of patient safety, fairness for out of network healthcare and parity for telehealth medicine. With the Massachusetts' State Legislature back into formal session (past their July 31st deadline) until December 31, 2020, the legislators will be addressing conference committee and budget matters, however anything can move during this extended session time.  Both the House and Senate each passed different health care bills concerning scope of practice, telemedicine and Out of Network. MOA President, Walter Stanwood, MD addressed the Senate regarding their bill which provided for scope of practice expansion to podiatry, optometry, dental therapists and independent prescribing for nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurses; parity for telehealth visits and Out of Network reimbursement (see copy of MOA letter in the July issue of MOA Enews).   As the Health Care Conference Committee begins its deliberations on S.2796 and H.4916, An Act to Promote Resilience in our Health Care System, the Massachusetts Orthopaedic Association will communicate next week to the Conferees the collective concerns of the orthopaedic community on provisions relative to podiatry scope of practice, Out of Network (OON) and telemedicine.   As MOA lobbyist, Ronna Wallace and MOA Board members continue to advocate on behalf of orthopaedic surgeons and their patients, we thank you all for responding to the MOA's Call to Action in July. We hope you will continue to reach out to your legislators when future Calls to Action are requested. We will continue to keep members updated on health care legislation and any others that may impact the profession. Save the Date MOA Clinical Capsule Webinar For Orthopaedic Surgeons and PAs   Safe and Reasonable Use of Stem Cells and Orthobiologics in Sports Medicine and Early OA Wednesday, October 28, 2020 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.   Featured Speaker: Christian Lattermann, MD Chief of Sports Medicine Service & Director of Cartilage Repair Center, Brigham & Women’s The MOA is pleased to present this informative clinical program to all members and PA staff at no charge. Plan to join the MOA for this Clinical Capsule virtual event. Simply click here to RSVP. Zoom details will be forwarded in October. CMS Open Forum Call Physician Fee Schedule 2021 Cuts, Scope of Practice, Advanced Use Criteria Policy, Telehealth and More. Join this informative CMS call to learn more about key changes, updates and provisions in Medicare reimbursement and policy. All are welcome to dial in and there is a recording option to replay the call later (scroll below for details). Please share with your staff. CMS Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum Wednesday, August 19, 2020   2:00 PM – 3:00 PM AGENDA ** Subject to Change** I.Announcements II.FY 2021 Physicians Fee Schedule Final Rule Updates    Telehealth (and Other Services Involving Communications Technology) Care Management and Remote Physiologic Monitoring Services Evaluation and Management Services and Related Valuations Proposals Regarding Professional Scope of Practice and Related Issues PFS Payment for Services of Teaching Physicians Scope of Practice Valuation of Services for Vaccine Administration Medicare Coverage for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Services Furnished by Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Appropriate Use Criteria Announcement II. Open Payments Open Payments Updates: Changes from the SUPPORT Act III. Open Q&A Open Door Participation Instructions: This call will be Conference Call Only. To participate by phone: Dial: 1-888-455-1397 Conference Passcode: 9375124 Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-759-3449 beginning 1 hours after the call has ended. The recording expires August 21, 2020, 11:59 PM ET. MOA Representatives Join AAOS in Advocating for Federal Legislation MOA In District Advocacy Meetings MOA Representatives will be advocating for all MA orthopaedic surgeons and their patients during the In District Advocacy Event in late August.    The MOA is joining AAOS members from around the country to meet with members of Congress to discuss key issues including: Cuts by CMS in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Medical liability reform, Prior authorization reform, and Lifting restrictions on physician-owned hospitals.   To learn more about the issues, the AAOS has prepared one page talking points for each. Simply click on the link for more information. If you would like to reach out to your Representative on any or all of these issues, simply contact the MOA for office staff contacts and email addresses to connect directly with their office.  MA Workers' Compensation Seeks Orthopaedic Surgeon to Serve on Health Care Services Board The Massachusetts’ Workers’ Compensation Health Care Services Board currently has an opening for an orthopaedic surgeon to serve as a Board member. MOA Emeritus Board Member, Dr. David Babin (Falmouth, MA) recently retired from serving on the Board. Dr. Babin represented the MOA and the entire MA orthopaedic Community for more than 15 years and we are grateful for his dedication and appreciative of leadership.    The Health Care Services Board is a 14-member board with Dr. Dean Hashimoto (Brigham & Women’s) presiding as Chair. The functions of the Board include: 1.     Create and Revise Workers’ Compensation Treatment Guidelines for MDs. 2.     Hear Physician Complaints from WC Patients. 3.    Act as a Sounding Board for the Senior Judge.   The MOA is currently seeking a member to serve with a possibility to “board share” the position. This is a volunteer position with a small stipend per meeting. The meetings are held 5 times a year from 8-11 a.m. on Saturdays; currently the are virtual however the physical meeting location is Boston.    If you would like to know more and/or are interested in serving on the Health Care Services Board, please contact the MOA. This is an important representation for the MOA and orthopaedic community.  Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to share with your orthopaedic colleagues who may be interested in serving. MOA 2020 Membership Renewal Support the MOA's Work on Behalf of the Orthopaedic Community Now more than ever, your 2020 membership renewal is vital to the work of the MOA in supporting orthopaedic surgeons, the practice of medicine and protecting patients. The MOA has been very active during these stressful, rapidly changing times by providing timely updates, relevant information, and advocating on behalf of all our members and patients.  Some of the MOA work is highlighted below.  Successfully Advocated for Liability Relief.  Urged Governor Baker to Reopen Surgical Procedures in Phase One. Requested Prior Authorization Extensions for our Previously Scheduled Patients. Informed Members of Med Mal Premium Credits and Deferments. Provided Data Sheet for all Telehealth Codes and Policies for ALL Commercial Carriers. Requested Health Insurers credit Policy Holders that Have Not Accessed Health Care. Represented the orthopaedic community on weekly calls with the DPH, DOI, CMS and MMS. At just $300.00 a year (150.00 for first-year members), the MOA represents all orthopaedic surgeons whether you’re in private practice, hospital or academic based, you benefit. Your membership renewal also includes a FREE one-year subscription to OrthoEvidence - A global, online source for quality, evidence-based summaries by the orthopaedic community of the highest quality research at no cost to you ($100.00 value). To Renew Online via Credit Card (click here) Email for 10% GROUP Discount for Your Practice (click here) Unsure of your 2020 Membership Renewal? Simply email Susan to check your status.