Wisconsin not-for-profit hospital Agensian sued Cerner software provider for $16 million alleging that the health information services giant misled them into switching software providers which left them saddled them with software riddled with flaws. Cerner vehemently disagrees and promises to fight the lawsuit aggressively.
According to MarketsandMarkets, the orthopedic braces and supports market products is on a trajectory to reach $4.93 billion in annual sales by 2022. That’s up from the current $3.76 billion figure of 2017. In the research report “Orthopedic Braces and Supports Market by Product (Lower Extremity (Knee, Foot, Ankle, Back), Upper Extremity (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist), […]
A 20-year study from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California Los Angeles’ David Geffen School of Medicine found that receiving Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) funding can greatly increase the odds of receiving National Institute of Health (NIH) funding.
One of the fastest-growing new class action lawsuits is about a warming blanket used in knee and hip replacement surgeries. Over 1,300 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit. What’s going on? The plaintiffs are alleging that that cuddling up in the operating room might lead to surgical site infections. Here’s what’s going on.
The Protecting Access to Care Act (PACA) of 2017, sponsored by Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King, is winding its way through the Congress and is odds on favorite to become the law of the land. Known colloquially as the common sense liability form, PACA was inspired by the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) in […]
Is Amazon, the giant online retailer, dropping hints about moving into the healthcare industry? In May 2017, CNBC reported that Amazon was on the hunt for a general manager to “break into the multi-billion dollar pharmacy market.” The $380 billion retail drug business is presently dominated by such brick and mortar companies as CVS and […]
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can have relatively high transfusion and adverse event rates. However, a study published on June 8, 2017 in Arthroplasty Today reveals that patients who received ConforMIS, Inc. (CIM) customized implants via 3D technology enjoy much lower adverse event rates. The study, “Comparison of adverse events rates and hospital cost between customized […]
A formal announcement has revealed two-thirds of clinicians will be exempt from MIPS by 2019—and a number qualify now. After months of seeing forecasted percentages, over 800,000 clinicians have received letters confirming their exemption. Now, clinicians are digging into the qualifications, exceptions, and what to expect in the CMS 2017-18 transitional years.
In an unprecedented move, Louisiana’s Attorney General Jeff Landry offers to settle a $1 million antitrust lawsuit with Pfizer if the pharma giant gives the state $1 million worth of their opioid reversal drug Naloxone. Landry, well aware of the opioid epidemic in the state, says it’s a better settlement for residents of the state and truly “priceless.”
Bipartisan bill HR 2474 the Medical Product Review Harmonization Act of 2017 was submitted by California U.S. House of Representatives Mimi Walters and Ami Bera on May 16, 2017. If passed the bill will make certain Class II medical devices quicker and easier to get FDA clearance—including removing the need for redundant, duplicative review processes.
If you’ve seen a Medicare card, you’ve probably noticed that a social security number (SSN) is included in the information. Your SSN is your unique, numeric identifier that’s linked to just about everything from your student loans to pensions, and hospital records to job applications. However, stealing SSN numbers is also a popular foundation for […]
On May 16, 2016, Xtant Medical Holdings, Inc. announced a licensing agreement with Sites Medical LLC. Together, the two medtech leaders are bolstering Sites Medical’s OsteoSyn Ti technology, a premium porous titanium scaffold. The product will be available to both national and international markets. Xtant is based in Belgrade, Montana and is a developer and […]
The Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles was awarded a $2.2 million National Institute of Health (NIH) grant to study “Regional Gene Therapy to Enhance Bone Repair.” The five-year grant is earmarked for gene therapy research, which shows promise in aiding challenging bone breaks and fractures. The Keck […]
From Richards to Smith & Nephew to Sofamor Danek – walking in Memphis has been a particularly successful and lucrative way to launch orthopedic technologies. MB Innovations (MBI), with engineering DNA from those legends of the past, is now offering to be any company’s medical device R&D support staff. It’s an offer few should refuse.
UnitedHealth faces another whistleblower-backed lawsuit from the Department of Justice. Filed on May 2, 2017, the whistleblowers are offering up details from UnitedHealth employees and former employees who claim they warned the company numerous times about Medicare payment problems.
A few years ago a former UnitedHealth employee filed a False Claims Act against United and 14 other insurers. On February 15, the Feds (Department of Justice) joined the suit on the side of the whistleblower. Together they are alleging that insurers “upcoded” claims in order to pocket excess reimbursements from Medicare Advantage.
On May 2, 2017, TheraCell, Inc. announced a new patent for their “enhanced cancellous demineralized bone (ECS)” technology. Issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, patent number 9,636,436 is helping to expand TheraCell’s vast intellectual property portfolio. The patent, titled “Compositions of and Methods for Cancellous Bone Technology,” is referred to as “a […]
The most senior FDA executives went public with their worries, frustration even, we suspect, impotence regarding the plethora of stem cells therapies in the market last November. And that article, which appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine just keeps growing in influence. Here is what Celia Whitten, Peter Marks and Robert Califf said.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed changes for reimbursement procedures on April 14, 2017. Although currently “just” a proposal, any secured changes will take effect in August 2018 for the 2018 budget year. Under the FY2018 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposal, there are a number of suggestions that may impact […]
Orthopedic surgeons are the fourth “most sued” doctors. However, according to a survey by The Doctors Company, they don’t need to be. After mining data from 2,100 orthopedic surgeons over seven years, the company released a survey outlining exactly how often orthopedic doctors are sued, why, and steps for minimizing lawsuits. Here are the findings.
Getting the low down on healthcare happenings in Washington, D.C. helps prepare us for challenges—and sometimes, a few sweet surprises. On April 6, 2017, the House Rules Committee approved an American Health Care Act (AHCA) amendment to create a “federal invisible risk-sharing program.” At first, naysayers suggested the rush job of this last minute approval […]
A bill is pending to amend the Internal Revenue Code’s Public Health Service Act (PHSA). The Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act (BOAT) potentially places a one penny per milligram excise tax on most opioid prescriptions, with the revenue earmarked for opioid treatment programs.
Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic prompted the state to update its guidelines. Those have proven to be so well crafted that they are a foundation for national guidance. Among the many constituents who are affected, a perhaps surprising one is the National Football League. Here are those guidelines and how they might impact physicians, patients and athletes.
University Orthopedics (UOI) in Providence, Rhode Island, welcomes Gwynne Bragdon, M.D. to the team. Joining the Orthopedic Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery Division of the Department of Orthopedics at Newport Hospital, Dr. Bragdon specializes in upper extremity injuries including hand, forearm and elbow fractures as well as nerve compression issues, peripheral nerve injuries, arthritis […]
Everyone moves differently (just ask a yoga teacher!). How a person moves effects how well hip replacement “takes” after surgery. If you’ve never heard of British orthopedic company The Corin Group, you’re not alone—and you’ve probably never had a hip replacement in Australia. Corin is the little orthopedic innovation company that could, thanks to their […]
Doctors and patients report rushes for procedures as worries over ACA overhaul spike.
A massive class action lawsuit against suppliers of Glucosamine Chondroitin and their retailers is moving to a second settlement. This new deal gives thousands of patients a higher award, there will likely be no funds leftover for the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation. Which is a big bummer. Here are the details.
Double down on your Advanced MSK Ultrasound conferences this spring with the March 9 – 11 event in Breckenridge, Colorado, followed by the April 28 – 29 conference in Chicago, Illinois, with a cadaver course and regenerative medicine focus. Hosted by the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME), register early because these conferences do sell […]
Twelve South Dakota doctors practicing at the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopedic & Spine (CNOS) in Dakota Dunes filed a lawsuit against four hospital administrators for allegedly defrauding them of several million dollars. The doctors included orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. As investors in Progressive Acute Care (PAC), the doctors claim the administrators purposefully presented the four […]
This lawsuit over a wrist injury is unlike any we have ever seen. And, appropriately, it is between two attorneys. After reading this we think it couldn’t happen to two more deserving legal beagles. Attorneys George Vallario and Peter Lindley are in the ultimate shakedown after a children’s birthday party in Boca Raton, Florida. Vallario […]
In June 2014, Rehabilitation Research and Practice retracted a review article from 2012 titled “Therapeutic Management of the Hallux Rigidus” authored by researchers in India. The reason? “Substantial flaws in scientific methodology”—and that was it. Little information was given on what constituted the alleged flaws of the article on stiff big toes. There has been […]
Orthofix settles with the SEC and DOJ for r $14 million. The case concerns claims of bribery in Brazil, faked invoices and exaggerated discounts by employees to lure in government hospital doctors. Five employees left the company and, all are personally reimbursing Orthofix as part of the agreement.
Peachtree Orthopedics is the second orthopedic clinic in Atlanta to fall victim to TheDarkOverlord hacking group in 2016. With over half a million patient records held at ransom, with sensitive information leaked in a teaser threat, Peachtree is working with the FBI to prevent patient identity theft
Faked reviews are on the rise. Peer reviewed articles are, rarely, retracted for reasons like lack of data integrity. But faked peer reviews? What’s really at the core of this disconcerting phenomenon? Are editors overwhelmed and over-burdened? Are faked reviews the natural and unstoppable fallout of the high-pressure environment to publish?
“March” into spring break season in Orlando, Florida, at the third annual International Children’s Spine Symposium. On March 3 and 4, co-chairmen Drs. George H. Thompson, Jonathan Phillips and Suken A. Shah welcome spinal experts from around the globe at The University of Central Florida. Stay at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and enjoy […]
Interested in learning more about the lateral approach to treating surgical spine conditions? Join the third annual Advanced Lateral Approaches to the Spine conference February 25, 2017 at the Seattle Science Foundation. Located in the James Tower in downtown Seattle, Washington, this one-day seminar brings together leading experts for a day of live demos and […]
Seven months after the DOJ filed a lawsuit to stop the $37B Aetna-Humana merger, along with a complementary Anthem-Cigna merger, a district judge rules in favor of the DOJ—but Aetna promises a quick appeal. What does a potential merger mean for the millions of Medicare Advantage customers who rely on these mega insurers for coverage?
Germany’s CeramTec and Colorado’s CoorsTek have been entrenched in a two-year legal battle over pink hip implant products. It’s a drama full of stolen goods at a Parisian tradeshow, a cease and desist letter with exaggerated trademark claims and ultimately a lawsuit that centers on the color pink, jurisdiction, and intricate trademark details.
A decade-long legal battle between Zimmer Biomet, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ended in a grand finale with a $30.5 million settlement. Allegations include violations of the U.S> Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and improprieties in Brazil and Mexico.
Japanese Researchers sent fish into space in 2014 to study bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Now, the findings are in. Published in the December 2016 Scientific Reports issue featuring lead researcher Dr. Akira Kudo, the results pinpoint exactly when BMD loss is most prevalent, creating the new research niche of gravitational biology.
Get details on the juiciest orthopedic surgery controversies at the annual Orthopedic Surgery Controversies 2017 conference. It’s the conference “for surgeons, by surgeons.” Don’t miss a weekend that promises to “challenge your thinking and make you reconsider your ideas, learn new ideas, and try to put some perspective on unresolved issues in shoulder surgery.” Attendees […]
Make Lady Luck your Valentine at the 16th Annual Symposium on Current Concepts in Spinal Disorders. Hosted by Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, this can’t-miss conference in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, takes place at The Cosmopolitan Hotel February 2 – 4, 2017. Course directors include Drs. Hyun Bae, Neel Anand, Theodore Goldstein, and J. Patrick Johnson. Hot […]
Get ready to push the envelope at this orthopedic trauma and fracture care conference in gorgeous Coronado, California. The long weekend of January 19–22, features a course crafted just for orthopedic surgeons. Offered by the Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education (FORE) and hosted by Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, current core trauma and […]
Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jamie Alexandra Dale is seeking justice and $31 million after she was attacked and left for dead by her ex-boyfriend and former NFL player Curtis Jordan. Her permanent injuries have left her unable to continue her surgery practice. Her story is not only heartbreaking but an indication of the economic toll this attack represented.
This may be one of the more essential conferences of 2017. Value based care is the new buzz word. It will certainly have an impact on your practice. Time for a nuts and bolts summit on the subject. Here it is. On January 21-22, 2017, the annual Interdisciplinary Summit on Orthopedic Value Based Care takes […]
In a twist of lawsuits, MiMedx promises to sue five (now former) sales employees after two terminated employees filed lawsuits against MiMedx. Two top-ranking former MiMedx employees claim MiMedx “channel stuffs” records, faking transactions of their most expensive product to VA hospitals around the country. MiMedx says the five employees were in breach of contract.
A $4.5 million settlement was reached between Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). “Patients are getting billed as though they’ve seen a doctor when in reality they’re being seen by technicians who aren’t necessarily being supervised, ” says Prosecuting Attorney Jason Mehta.
