Author: Alan Condon

Joint pain medical encounters are projected to increase 22 percent in 2022, with spine-related visits expected to rise 7 percent, according to a Jan. 5 report by predictive analytics company Prealize Health.

The shift of spine procedures to the outpatient setting has gained momentum in recent years as commercial payers boosted coverage, devicemakers refocused their strategies and surgeons warmed to the idea of operating on patients at ASCs.

Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, an independent hospital in Springfield, has affiliated with Columbus-based OhioHealth and Dayton-based Premier Health, which will both share ownership in the facility with 35 physicians.

Lincoln (Neb.) Orthopaedic Center and Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, also in Lincoln, have kicked off the new year as a merged entity, the Lincoln Journal Star reported Jan. 3.

Birmingham, Ala.-based Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center is the latest practice to join U.S. Orthopaedic Partners, a private equity-backed management services organization in the Southeast.

Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif., plans to build a $58 million neurosciences center with 50 beds, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Today's healthcare leaders are required to perform their duties while navigating a difficult and changing environment.

Orthopedic expansions picked up steam in 2021, particularly those designed for outpatient services, as Medicare, commercial payers and patients continue to push procedures from inpatient settings to the ambulatory environment.

After some initial success in bundled payment models, many orthopedic providers are dropping out of such Medicare programs as the continuous challenge to reduce costs and maintain high-quality care becomes a "race to the bottom."

Implementing minimally invasive technologies, enhancing the patient experience and weighing whether to scale back Medicare consults are among the biggest priorities for spine practices next year.