17
Thought Leadership
The potential of bundled-payments: Hospital for
Special Surgery Chief of Spine explains
By Jackie Drees
F
rank Schwab, MD, chief of spine ser-
vices at Hospital for Special Surgery in
New York City, shares insights on the
evolution of technology in orthopedics as
well as the future of bundled-payments.
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity
and length.
Question: How has technology
evolved in orthopedics?
Dr. Frank Schwab: Technology has dramatically helped in the care of
patients through several aspects. Data-driven algorithms help us in the
diagnosis, optimal treatment and decision-making tools regarding risk
and benefit.
Other important areas where technology has evolved in orthopedics re-
lates to navigation and robotics where greater precision and safety may
lead a new era in musculoskeletal care.
Q: Will bundled-payments become the standard? Does this
help or hinder orthopedic surgery?
FS: It seems that bundled-payments will continue to expand but unlike-
ly that this will fully replace current payment models given a stratified
consumer market.
Bundled-payments may help some aspects of orthopedic surgery where
substantial standardization has occurred and where physician employ-
ment models incentivize a drive to best outcomes and efficiency.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring orthopedic sur-
geons?
FS: Orthopedic surgery is becoming an even more exciting field due to
new technologies being introduced and the growing demand for solu-
tions to musculoskeletal problems. It is critical that aspiring orthopedic
surgeons remain innovative and engage heavily in research and technol-
ogy with a passion for helping patients. n
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