Becker's Spine Review

6 SPINE Are insurance companies determining the future of orthopedics? By Claire Wallace A s the orthopedic industry continues to innovate with new robotic, 3D-printed and GPS-guided navigation options, physicians are concerned that insurance companies won't be open to covering new care options. Potential care plan denials by insurers oen result in patient care delays and revenue delays for orthopedic surgeons. Additionally, as orthopedic and spine procedures expand into the ASC setting, payers are increasingly resistant to covering certain procedures in an outpatient setting. While new technologies provide great options for patients, and ASCs provide ideal orthopedic surgical environments for many, the industry won't be able to see benefits if insurers choose to continually deny coverage for these care options. Michael Redler, MD, a surgeon at Connecticut Orthopedics in Hamden, told Becker's that the future of many techniques will rely on the payers. "Orthopedic surgery is a specialty whereby technology is changing at an ever-increasing rapid pace. ere are so many new options for treating patients that didn't exist 10 years ago. e big challenge for orthopedic surgeons today is balancing the role of new technology in an environment where cost savings are going to continue to be very important. Many of these outstanding technologies can be used in an ASC-type setting. e challenge, of course, is getting the insurance companies to agree to pay for these technologies when performed in an ambulatory setting. is not only relates to implants and new techniques, but also to the always important perioperative comfort experience. Our ability to perform opioid-sparing surgery is going to, in part, rely on the insurance companies recognizing the importance of the great advancements that have been made in minimizing the need for narcotics. Insurance companies' acceptance of new injections and devices to minimize opioid use will not only benefit the patient, but society as a whole." n Dr. Joseph Schwab to lead Cedars-Sinai spine- oncology program By Carly Behm J oseph Schwab, MD, will lead Los Angeles-based Cedars- Sinai's spine-oncology program and the Center for Surgical Technology and AI Research, according to a Sept. 11 news release shared with Becker's. Dr. Schwab previously worked at Harvard Medical School in Boston where he was a professor and chief of its Orthopaedic Spine Center and director of spinal oncology. At Cedars-Sinai, he will lead the expansion of the spine oncology program and help advance AI and predictive algorithmic applications with the Center for Surgical Technology and AI Research. Dr. Schwab specializes in bone tumor care and spinal disorders. n Dr. Marinus de Kleuver named president of Scoliosis Research Society By Cameron Cortigiano Marinus de Kleuver, MD, PhD, accepted the role of president of the Scoliosis Research Society. The appointment was announced Sept. 9 during the organization's 58th annual meeting, according to a Sept. 9 news release shared with Becker's. Dr. de Kleuver will become the third international president of the Scoliosis Research Society. The organization also announced its 2023-24 board of directors, which has 18 members, including Dr. de Kleuver, the release said. n Dr. Todd Lanman launches disc replacement program for patients By Carly Behm T odd Lanman, MD, launched the ADR Spine Top Doctors in Arthroplasty Program to connect patients with disc replacement surgeons in their regions. The program is expected to grow with new surgeons added to the directory each quarter, accrording to a Sept. 15 news release. Dr. Lanman aims to have a full national roster of disc replacement surgeons by the end of 2024. Each surgeon is evaluated for their expertise and track records in disc replacement. n

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