March/April 2023

CT Ortho IMPT Legislative News & Updates, 2023 Annual Meeting Register Online
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March 2023

2023 CT Legislative Update

Increase in Medicaid Reimbursement

Reforms in Prior Authorization

Changes in Surprise Billing

Reforms to CON and Med Mal

And More


The 2023 session of the CT Legislature is at the halfway mark and public hearings are winding down with Committees taking action on the bills. COS Officers and Board members have been very active testifying and issuing testimony on behalf of Connecticut's orthopaedic community and patients.


Your Society has weighed in on more than a dozen key bills (as noted below) and commented on scope expansion discussions. While there have been no bills specific to these expansion discussions, nothing is over until the session commences on June 7, 2023.


As the session moves along at a quick pace, we need members to answer CALLS TO ACTION issued by COS. Please sign up for the COS texting platform to receive timely text alerts(use QR code below). Your voice matters! 


Read the full legislative report on the following legislative issues including COS testimony and video clips.


Medicaid Reimbursement Increases

Prior Authorization Reforms

CT Surprise Billing in Jeopardy

Certificate of Need Reforms

Truth in Advertising and Consumer Protection

Impact to ASC Facility Fee and MD Reporting of Ownership

Fee Determinations & Health Care Contracting

Notice of Prescription Medication Discontinuance in Workers’ Comp

Med Mal Reform, Non-Compete Covenant, Podiatry Work Group, Opioid Prescribing Changes 


2023 CT Legislative Update - Full Report

COS Text Alerts

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2023 Annual Meeting


Friday

May 12, 2023

8 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.


Aqua Turf Club

Plantsville, CT


ADVANCED REGISTRATION

Online


View Agenda*

*Subject to Change.

In Memoriam Dr. Ripps, Avert Medicare Pay Cuts, Renew Your Membership, 2023 AMeeting Speakers Announced, COS Text Sign Up

December 2022

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In Memoriam

Ronald A. Ripps, MD

May 1943 - November 2022

"The fire that burns in his eyes was lit for the day when he earned the right and the awesome responsibilities of surgical practice and it will never be extinguished.”

It's Who You Are, Noah H. Ripps - Summer 2008

The Connecticut Orthopaedic Society (COS) and members of the Board mourn the passing of past president and longtime board member, Ronald Ripps, MD. Dr. Ripps served as COS President from 2001 to 2003, and is being remembered for his leadership, foresight, and contributions to the Society. He joined the Society’s Board in 1996, and for over a decade was a mentor to many, both professionally and within the Society.  

 

Under his leadership and tutelage as President of the Society, Dr. Ripps laid a solid foundation for growth and expansion of the professional society to represent orthopaedic surgeons on legal, regulatory, and professional fronts. He was a contributing editor to BACKBONE, the Society’s original newsletter, writing articles of human interest and professional importance. In 2008, Dr. Ripps was honored with the Society’s highest award, Orthopaedist of the Year, for his work in developing a thriving and relevant professional organization. 

 

He was the founder of Connecticut Family Orthopedics in Danbury, served on the Board of the Fairfield County Medical Association and the Connecticut State Medical Society’s Legislative Committee. Dr. Ripps served as Chief Flight Surgeon at Dyess Air Force during the Vietnam War. He received his medical degree from Tufts University Medical School.

 

He will be missed and fondly remembered. The COS Board extends their sympathy to Dr. Ripps’ wife, Barbara, and their family. 

 

In 2008, his son Noah wrote an article reflecting on his father’s career as an orthopaedic surgeon which was published in the Society’s, Backbone Newsletter in the Summer of 2008.

 It's worth a read!

Avert 2023 Medicare Pay Cuts

Contact CT U.S. House of Representatives Members

Join the AAOS and COS in urging Congress to support physicians and Medicare patients and prevent looming Medicare payment cuts beginning in January 2023. Connecticut's Congressional delegation needs to hear from YOU


As of December 1st, there are 106 cosponsors of House bill, HR 8800, Support Medicare Providers Act of 2022.  REP. JOHN LARSON HAS SIGNED ON FROM CONNECTICUT. IF YOUR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER HAS NOT SIGNED ONTO THE BILL YET; PLEASE SEND A LETTER USING THE LINK BELOW.  It's quick and easy to advocate for the profession and Medicare patients.

SEND LETTERS

2023

COS Membership Renewal


The COS is the only statewide association representing Connecticut’s orthopaedic community. In 2022, working on behalf of orthopaedic surgeons and their patients,

 

COS, as a coalition member, and its lobbyists successfully repealed the onerous ASC tax of seven years in Connecticut saving ASCs millions of tax dollars. Members lobbied and testified on this and other important issues impacting the profession in 2022.


COS representatives met in D.C. with CT House of Representatives and U.S. Senators to lobby for Prior Authorization Reform, and urged congress to avert the 2023 Medicare Payment Cuts.


We have much more work ahead in 2023,

  • Prior Authorization Policy Reforms
  •  Increase Medicaid reimbursements
  •  Ensuring scope expansion equates to patient safety and more.



Please renew for 2023 either online or complete the form and mail with your check payment. To arrange for group billing, have your staff contact COS at 860-690-1146 or email ctorthoexec@gmail.com to request.

RENEW ONLINE

Join your colleagues for the 2023 COS meeting developed by Michael Kaplan, MD, Program Director, and featuring great speakers, relevant presentations, CME, latest products and services, breakfast, lunch and networking.

All 2023 COS members attend at NO FEE.


Click for Agenda*

*Subject to Change.

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COS

2023 Annual Meeting



Friday

May 12, 2023

8 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.




Aqua Turf Club

Plantsville, CT

AAOS

Volunteer Opportunties


AAOS members who may be interested in volunteering for one of the many volunteer opportunities with AAOS are encouraged to view the postings in the AAOS CAP System and apply.


AAOS members can visit the www.aaos.org/cap from now until to December 18, 2022.


LEARN MORE

AAOS OrthoPAC


The AAOS strongly supports the federal advocacy activities of the Connecticut Orthopaedic Society in Washington, D.C.  


There are two major and critical bills the AAOS PAC is working to secure passage by the Senate; Prior Authorization Reforms in Medicare and delaying the Medicare payment cuts scheduled to go into effect January 2023.   


To ensure the strength of Connecticut orthopaedic surgeons on a federal level, our Society continues to support the AAOS OrthoPAC with 100% statewide participation.  


To augment the collective support of COS, please consider making an additional contribution by texting AAOS to 41444 or click here for easy online donations. 

Melanson Media