News & Updates: June 2022
Important CMS Update:
Medicare Updates to Payments for Hyaluronic Acid Derivatives effective July 1, 2022
Effective January 1, 2022, CMS newly required all manufacturers of drugs and biologicals payable under Part B to report Average Sales Price (ASP) data for their Part B products as a condition of payment for their covered outpatient drugs under Part B.
 
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) derivative products are included in this submission requirement. Previously, Medicare reimbursement of these products was calculated based on Wholesaler Acquisition Cost (WAC). Medicare reimbursement will now be calculated based on ASP, and these products will be included in CMS’ quarterly ASP Pricing File as of July 1, 2022. Each local Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) will implement pricing updates thereafter.
 
 
Practices offering Viscosupplementation Injections should carefully review updated payment limits for each offered product to ensure profitability. Be sure to review the payment per dosage in the ASP pricing file when calculating reimbursement.
 
The following HA derivatives are listed in the ASP Pricing File effective July 1, 2022. We are seeking additional guidance to offer members on this important topic.
Avoid the Kickback Trap
The May issue of AAOS Now includes a powerful article describing the life-changing consequences for two orthopaedic surgeons who were prosecuted for their involvement in kickback schemes. Both surgeons insist they believed the business arrangements had been scrutinized for legal compliance and were appropriate financial arrangements.
 
This article underscores the critical importance of vetting all financial arrangements entered by the practice and/or individual physicians through seasoned legal counsel. Click here to read the article.
Upcoming Webinar
Physician Financial Relationships & Conflict of Interest Policies
Thursday, July 7th | 1:00-2:00 PM (ET)
Given the myriad of laws and regulations governing financial relationships in health care, practices should have policies in place to vet the financial relationships of their physicians and professional staff. 

This webinar will review policies and procedures needed to vet your staff & discuss the potential liabilities should there be improper financial relationships that violate state and federal law.
The webinar is a free educational offering for our members.
Please follow the instructions to register for the event.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This webinar is sponsored by:
SCOA Annual Meeting
Registration Underway: 2022 SCOA Annual Meeting
August 4-6, 2022
Sanctuary Hotel
Kiawah Island, SC
The South Carolina Orthopaedic Association invites you to join us for a weekend full of education, collegiality, and networking in Kiawah Island!
Keynote Highlights Include:
Developing High Performing Teams & Individuals
Chris Penso
-Olympic and MLS Referee

Chris will draw on his extensive experience as a full-time professional referee for elite soccer to share insights on developing high performing teams and individuals.

His dynamic experience includes MLS Referee since 2009, having refereed over 200 regular season games; FIFA Video Match Official since 2021; 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics – 1st official to ever work both the Men’s & Women’s Gold Medal matches; FIFA Referee 2013-2015; MLS All-Star Game 2016; MLS Cup VAR 2018, 2021; 6x NCAA Men’s College Cup Referee; 2x NCAA Men’s Division 1 National Championship Referee; and Coordinator of Officials for American Athletic Conference
Cultivating Dynamic Physician Leadership
Jeff Kneisl, MD
-Chief Surgical Officer, Atrium Health Greater Charlotte Region
-Executive Vice Chairman, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute
-Marie-Claire Marroum MD Distinguished Chair Of Orthopaedic Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

25 years as a practicing orthopaedic oncologist greatly enhance Dr. Kneisl’s leadership in multiple roles within Atrium Health. As both the business of healthcare delivery and treatment opportunities evolve quickly, seasoned pysician leaders are essential to effectively navigate the disruption of change toward meaningful improvement. Dr. Kneisl will share his experience and lessons learned as a physician leader in a large health system in hopes of encouraging us to embrace the challenges of leadership with optimism and zeal.
Navigating SC’s Orthopaedic & Insurance Landscapes: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Shawn Stinson, MD
-Senior Vice President, Healthcare Innovation & Improvement, BlueCross BlueShield of SC
Matthew Bartels, MD
-Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of SC

Two of BlueCross BlueShield of SC’s most senior and experienced leaders share their thoughts about trends, challenges and opportunities facing SC’s orthopaedists.
SCOA Foundation Fundraiser
The South Carolina Orthopaedic Association is currently raising funds for the SCOA Foundation and we need YOUR support in reaching our $20,000 goal by the Annual Meeting (August 4-6, 2022).
Those who donate will have their name featured on signage at the 2022 Annual Meeting registration desk, receive a special ribbon, and are invited to the SCOA Foundation Donor Appreciation Reception!
Learn On Your Schedule
Replay Past Webinars in the Webinar Archive!
Past webinar topics include:
  • ​Online Patient Journey & the Physician Practice Part 1: Reputation Management
  • BRACE YOURSELF with Compliance Tools for Medicare’s new DME Requirements
  • Making MIPS Work for Orthopaedics
  • ​Short-staffed. Short-tempered. Short-timer.
  • And more!
Member Benefit: Discover OrthoEvidence
Our members receive complimentary access to OrthoEvidence (OE), which is the global online source for high quality and timely orthopaedic-only evidence-based summaries, pre-appraised by orthopaedic medical experts.
Thank You To Our Corporate Partner:
South Carolina Orthopaedic Association www.scoanet.org
844-234-7800