Becker's Spine Review

25 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Larry Nassar, Former USA Gymnastics Physician, Gets 40-175 Years in Prison — 6 Things to Know By Megan Wood A seven-day hearing for former U.S.A. Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar ended today with a prison sentence of 40 to 175 years, e New York Times reports. Here is what you need to know: 1. In September 2016, two former gym- nasts told the IndyStar that Mr. Nassar had sexually abused them during medical treatments. Since that explosive report, 150-plus young women have shared sim- ilar stories. 2. In November 2017, the 54-year-old former physician pleaded guilty to seven criminal sexual conduct charges in Ing- ham County, Mich., CNN reports. Aer hearing testimonies from 156 victims who said they were sexually abused by Mr. Nas- sar, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told him, "I just signed your death warrant," when reading his sentence. 3. Among those who testified were Aly Ra- isman and Jordyn Wieber, two members of the 2012 U.S.A. women's gymnastic team. 4. Mr. Nassar also pleaded guilty to three more criminal sexual conduct charges in Eaton County, Mich., but has not received this sentencing yet. 5. In a separate federal case, Mr. Nassar already received a 60-year prison sentence for child pornography charges. 6. Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs revoked Mr. Nassar's li- cense for three years in April 2017. n Former Hospital Owner Receives 5-Year Prison Sentence for Paying Spine Surgery Kickbacks — 5 Things to Know By Megan Wood F ormer Long Beach, Calif.-based Pacific Hospital owner Michael D. Drobot, was found guilty of healthcare fraud, as reported by the United States Attorney's Office Central District of California. Here are five things to know: 1. As owner of Pacific Hospital, Mr. Drobot concocted a plan to pay physicians il- legal kickbacks to refer workers' compensation patients to the hospital for spine surgeries. 2. The Department of Justice report noted Mr. Drobot offered a $15,000 kick- back for a lumbar fusion surgery and a $10,000 kickback for a cervical fusion surgery, and bribed physicians to perform spine surgery at his hospital. 3. The 15-year scheme amounted to $500 million in fraudulent bills and $40 million in illegal kickbacks. 4. Mr. Drobot paid most of the kickbacks through medical device sales for state work- ers' compensation patients undergoing spine surgery. A California "pass-through" law, which is now repealed, let hospitals bill workers' compensation payers the total implanted device cost for spine surgeries. He owned the company, International Im- plants, and would add $250 to every device his company sold to Pacific Hospital. Under the "pass-through" law, California had to pay the total cost of devices. 5. Mr. Drobot will serve a five-year and three-month federal prison sentence for conspiracy and paying illegal kickbacks. n ASA Urges Providers to Reconsider All Opioid Use By Eric Oliver T he American Society of Anesthesiologists issued a statement urging providers to limit opioid use or avoid using them altogether in recognition of Physician Anesthesiologists Week, Jan. 28 to Feb. 3. Here's what you should know: 1. The ASA recommends providers opt to use opioid alternatives to man- age pain or discomfort. 2. ASA President James Grant, MD, said, "Nobody needs a prescription for 30 or 50 opioids and even those who are in major pain and may bene- fit should only take them for a day or two. There are effective alternatives and many people don't need opioids at all or at least should drastically re- duce the amount they take." 3. The ASA drafted advice for patients to cope with pain and discomfort, in- cluding: • Ask providers about opioid alter- natives • Manage pain expectations • Be an active participant in your own care • Limit opioid use and take opi- oids sparingly • Be aware of the side effects associated with opioid use 4. The ASA has launched several initia- tives to combat opioid abuse. n

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