June 2023

Latest Orthopaedic Updates from CT Orthopaedic Society

June 2023 2023 CT Legislative - End of Session Report During the session, COS Officers and Board members were active testifying and issuing testimony on behalf of Connecticut's orthopaedic community and patients. Society members throughout the state answered the COS advocacy action alerts and sent emails to their Representatives, Senators, and Governor Lamont on Prior Authorization, Medicaid, and Out of Network reimbursement.  COS is fortunate to be represented by the Lobbying Firm, Focus Government Affairs. With their dedication, experience, and assistance, several bills were passed benefiting the orthopaedic community while several potentially harmful bills were defeated early in the legislative process.  COS members, alongside Connecticut’s state and specialty societies, advocated for increases to Medicaid reimbursement for physicians and changes to burdensome prior authorization policies. We made headway in both these areas this legislative session with $7 million from the State Budget earmarked for Medicaid reimbursement increases and reducing insurer’s response time to prior authorization requests. COS, along with other medical organizations, successfully fought a bill that would have reduced out of network reimbursement and potentially jeopardize the State’s current Surprise Billing Statute.   The Society joined with the Connecticut Ambulatory Surgery Center Association to support their lead role in ensuring ASCs be allowed to continue to charge facility fees and maintaining current State requirements for change of ownership threshold to report at 10%. Please review the COS summary of key 2023 legislation impacting physicians. At the time of this publication, all bills summarized are currently awaiting Governor Lamont’s signature. Please contact the COS if you have any questions or would like additional information.   End of Session CT Legislative Report REMINDER State & DEA Training Requirements State Mandatory Training Identifying and Reporting Elder Abuse Deadline- June 30, 2023 State of Connecticut, Public Act No. 22-58, requires all mandatory reporters, including physicians, to complete the educational training program developed by the CT Department of Social Services on the identification and reporting of elder abuse. The training must be completed by JUNE 30, 2023, or not later than ninety-days after becoming a mandatory reporter. Please Note: This training is a one-time only requirement.  The Department of Social Services has made online training available. To access the training, click the link below.  PSE Web Based Training for Mandated Reporters  For More Information New DEA Requirement Prior to renewal of a DEA registration- on or after June 27, 2023 The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the requirements for training for the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. These requirements are tied to an initial or a renewal DEA registration. The deadline for satisfying this new training requirement is the date of the next scheduled DEA registration submission—regardless of whether it is an initial registration or a renewal registration—on or after June 27, 2023. Under the Act, completed training must be at least eight hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders from a range of training entities on opioid or other substance use disorders. Please review the DEA letter for additional information and visit the AMA online resources for helpful resources to meet the requirements. AMA Resource LET’S GO "FORE" THE GREEN! Please help the CT Orthopaedic Foundation reach “the green” with our 2023 fundraising goal of $13,500. Our efforts help to continue the support of UConn and Yale orthopaedic residents. Last year, the Foundation raised over $12,000.00, and received an additional $1,800.00 from the Birdies for Charity Program. The Foundation contributed $10,000.00, to the Yale and UConn Orthopaedic Residency Programs (combined) in 2022 and again this year. Whether you give $20 or $200, your donation is increased by 15% through the Traveler’s Championship Birdies for Charity. It’s a win win! Donate now through June 24th and 115% of your donation goes to the Connecticut Orthopaedic Society Foundation.  DONATE HERE Thank you! From July 24-28, orthopaedic surgeons across the U.S. will come together for a national grassroots advocacy effort. Using simple, minute-long activities, they will deliver critical messages to lawmakers and regulators on key healthcare policy issues impacting musculoskeletal care. Now is the time to mark your calendar, begin making plans to participate, and encourage your colleagues to join this completely virtual event! Learn More

CT Orthopaedic Society | Riggs Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107 Unsubscribe ctorthoexec@gmail.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by ctorthoexec@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Latest Orthopaedic Updates from CT Orthopaedic Society

December 2022 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. Scan to Join the COS Text Network Don't Miss Out - Sign Up Today! Sign up for texts from COS. Receive advocacy alerts, regulatory updates. relevant programs and insurance news.  All cell phone information will remain private. Texts sent weekdays and within normal business hours ONLY. Opt-out at any time.  IMPORTANT : You are giving express written consent to receive mobile text communication from the CT Orthopaedic Society. Message and data rates may apply. 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.

CT Orthopaedic Society | Riggs Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107 Unsubscribe ctorthoexec@gmail.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by ctorthoexec@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!