Author: Claire Wallace

Effective Sept. 1, UnitedHealthcare will begin requiring prior authorization for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and Medicare-covered chiropractic services delivered in multidisciplinary offices and outpatient hospital settings. 

Manchester, N.H.-based Elliot Health System's Elliot 1-Day Surgery Center has earned the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care's orthopedic advanced certification for its total joint replacement program, according to an Aug. 20 report from Ink Link.

Jacob Ziegler, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minn., recently became the system's first surgeon to use new sensor technology licensed by Zimmer Biomet through a partnership with Canary Medical. 

Charlotte, N.C.-based OrthoCarolina has signed one of the nation’s top college football recruits, David Sanders.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Axis Brain and Back Institute has opened a new surgery center on its Southlake campus specializing in microsurgical techniques for neck and back pain. 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Holy Cross Health has added a married surgeon duo — orthopedic surgeon Tara Gaston Moncman, DO, and neurosurgeon Ryan Moncman, DO. 

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Sugar Land (Texas) Hospital has added spine surgeon Alexander Molinari, DO, according to an Aug. 19 report from the Fort Bend Herald. 

Spinal surgeon Arthur Steffee, MD, referred to in a Cleveland Clinic article as the "father of modern spine surgery," has died at 90, according to an Aug. 17th report from the Cranberry Eagle.

G. Dean MacEwen, MD, a pioneer in pediatric orthopedic surgery, died at 96, according to an Aug. 16 obituary published in Delaware Online.

Miami-based Badia Hand to Shoulder Center has added its first associate, orthopedic surgeon Joel Peterson, MD.