Becker’s Spine Review

For several months before he left private practice, Zachary Lum, DO, worked without a paycheck. So did the other physicians in his South Florida orthopedic group, which had turned to credit cards to cover its bills and stopped paying its…

Omaha, Neb.-based Sequel Ortho has named Stephanie Scoggins as chief payer strategy officer. In the role, Ms. Scoggins will lead the organization’s payer strategy, including payer partnerships, specialty-care contracting, value-based care, employer relationships and commercial strategy, according to an Oct.…

From the growing use of robotics to extensive spinal fusions, spine surgeons are questioning long-standing practices and assumptions shaping their specialty. As surgical techniques and technologies evolve, some leaders are calling for greater scrutiny of whether these approaches deliver meaningful…

Reimbursement is tightening, and health systems are building anyway. CMS’ proposed 2027 physician fee schedule would cut orthopedic surgery pay by about 7% and neurosurgery by about 2%, yet systems spent 2026 breaking ground on orthopedic towers, recruiting spine surgeons…

Stryker lowered its full-year 2026 guidance after third-quarter results that the company’s chief executive said missed internal expectations. The Portage, Mich.-based medtech company now expects organic net sales growth of 6.5% to 7% and adjusted EPS of $14.80 to $14.90.…

Metro Tulsa (Okla.) Foot & Ankle Specialists, a foot and ankle surgery and treatment practice, has provided notice of a data breach.  The practice became aware of unusual activity in its network environment on or about July 29, 2026. An…

Nearly one in five orthopedists who reported burnout said it is so severe that they are thinking of leaving medicine altogether, according to Medscape’s “Orthopedist Burnout & Depression Report 2026.”  The report, published Oct. 30, draws on a survey of…

As reimbursement pressures and rising costs challenge independent orthopedic practices, surgeons are turning to direct employer contracts, bundled payments, ASC ownership and other strategies to protect margins. Here are five approaches highlighted in recent Becker’s reporting. 1. Direct employer contracts…