Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1523628
11 ORTHOPEDICS Rothman, Independent Blue Cross extend value-based care agreement By Carly Behm I ndependence Blue Cross and Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute extended their value-based care agreement for three more years. e two organizations have had their value-based care agreement since 2018, the insurer said in a March 20 news release. eir agreement includes total hip, knee and shoulder replacements, knee arthroscopy, lumbar laminectomy and spinal fusion. "e data has shown that value-based care works," Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Rothman, said in the release. "Here at Rothman Orthopaedics, we are proud to work with Independence Blue Cross on this model, and we will continue to look for ways to build upon this approach for their members." Since 2018 the agreement helped Rothman lower clinically-related costs by more than $3,000 per case, reduce hospital admissions by 38% and reduce emergency department visits by 29%. e renewed agreement also opens the door for them to focus on initiatives including a new chronic episode of care pilot for pain management and health equity. n How orthopedic compensation, wRVUs changed over 5 years By Carly Behm O rthopedic surgeon pay and work relative value units grew since 2019, according to MGMA's Provider Compensation and Productivity report. Orthopedic surgery compensation grew 8.77% from 2022 to 2023, the May report said. Orthopedic wRVUs grew 11.44%. From the five-year span of 2019 to 2023, orthopedic surgeon pay grew 12.4%, and wRVU grew 15.75%, the report said. Surgical specialists overall saw a 4.42% increase in median compensation over one year, and they saw a 6.08% increase in pay from 2019 to 2023.n Hospital for Special Surgery partners on value-based care bundle program By Claire Wallace N ew York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery is set to collaborate with Best in Class MD to launch a bundled surgery program for orthopedics. The Best in Class MD value-based surgical bundle program is designed to serve as an intermediary to worker's compensation carriers nationwide, according to a May 28 news release. The program is designed to streamline care for patients, providers and payers, with a Best in Class MD physician confirming for payers that a recommended procedure is appropriate and communicating to beneficiaries that care will be available at HSS. n Zimmer Biomet partners with CBRE to develop ASCs By Carly Behm Z immer Biomet partnered with CBRE Group to develop orthopedic ASCs as part of a larger plan toward above-market growth, the devicemaker said May 29. CBRE is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, and the partnership aims to expand patient access to Zimmer Biomet's orthopedic technology, according to a news release. The partnership is part of Zimmer Biomet's larger three-year strategy to bring mid-single-digit revenue growth, raise adjusted earnings per share and grow free cash flow. n