July/August 2023

Ortho News -What You Need to Know About New CT Non Covenant Law, Thanks to Our Contributors, AAOS ONLINE Advocacy Week-Medicare Reform
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July/August - 2023

CT New Covenant Not to Compete Law - What You Need to Know


Connecticut Modifies Physician Non-Compete Law, Extends Protections to APRNs and PAs


Effective July 1, 2023, Connecticut modified its law governing physician covenants not to compete and extends non-compete protections to advanced practice registered nurses (“APRNs”) and physician assistants (“PAs”).



Physicians, APRNs, PAs, and their employers will need to evaluate current non-competition provisions and revise, as needed, to comply with the new law.


The Society appreciates the legal information provided by: Barry B. Cepelewicz M.D., Esq., Merton G. Gollaher and Elisabeth A. Pimente, from the law firm of Garfunkel & Wild. 


READ MORE HERE


Orthopaedic Advocacy Week is a national grassroot effort and completely virtual event. Orthopaedic surgeons across the U.S. will rally around key healthcare policy issues. Daily activities will include amplifying the orthopaedic voice on social media, sending prewritten letters to Congress, supporting regulatory messages, and investing in the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 


July 24th  Amplify Across Social Media

Raise awareness around the key healthcare policy issues on social media. Download the social media toolkit for each healthcare policy issue and utilize AAOS-branded graphics and sample posts to amplify the orthopaedic voice! Tag your congressional representatives and use the hashtag #OrthoAdvocacyinAction.


July 25th   Growing Support with Grassroots

With just two clicks, send and customize pre-written letters to your members of Congress from the AAOS Advocacy Action Center. Last year, a total of 788 letters were sent by AAOS members to congressional representatives on the below issues.


July 26th   Shaping Policy through Rulemaking

AAOS members will be able to add their name to letters that will be sent to regulatory agencies following the event.


July 27th    OrthoPAC Day of Giving

All PAC contributors will have a chance to participate in the Winners Choice Sweepstakes and the OrthoPAC Charity Match. PAC contributions of $2k, $1k and/or $100., will be matched to the charity of the contributor's choice (501c3 nonprofit). Please consider the CT Orthopaedic Society Foundation for the match. The OrthoPAC goal is to raise $300k.


Note: All related materials will be available the week of the Orthopaedic Advocacy Week.

Learn More

We Hit THE GREEN Thanks to You!

Special thanks to the Society members who donated to the CT Orthopaedic Foundation through the Birdies for Charity Program. Thanks to them, the Foundation exceeded its 2023 fundraising goal of $13,500. Our efforts help to continue to support the UConn and Yale orthopaedic residents.


Donations to the Foundation can still be made directly using the ZELLE APP. Once you are in the ZELLE APP, simply enter the email: ctorthoexec@gmail.com to make a contribution directly to the Foundation investment account at Morgan Stanley.


2023 Birdies for Charity Donors- Thank You!


F. Scott Gray, MD

Lisa Lattanza, MD

Matthew Grosso, MD

Mariam Hakim-Zargar, MD

Michael Aronow, MD

Robert Green, MD

Jenna Bernstein, MD

Christian Merrill, MD

Erik Carlson, MD

Gary Friedlaender, MD

COS

Workers' Comp Increases RME/IME Fees

Workers' Compensation Chairman Morelli recently announced an increase in the fee for RME/IMEs to $850.  The memorandum is below, and the information will be posted on the WCC website.


MEMORANDUM NO. 2023-02

Fee Increase for Employer/Respondent's Examinations (RME)


RE: Fee Increase for Employer/Respondent's Examinations (RME)


Effective June 1, 2023, the fee for an Employer/Respondent’s Examination will be increased to $850.00.


The Professional Guide for Attorneys, Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners Guidelines for Cooperation can be found here.

Have You Completed the

State & DEA Training Requirements?

State Mandatory Training


Identifying and Reporting Elder Abuse

Deadline- June 30, 2023

Connecticut 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. 


To access the training, click the link below.

 PSE Web Based Training for Mandated Reporters 


New DEA Requirement


Prior to renewal of a DEA registration- on or after June 27, 2023


The U.S. DEA released 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.


Please review the DEA letter for additional information and visit the AMA online resources.

AMA Resource

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.

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. 

Melanson Media