Orthopedic

Ozempic and Wegovy have become as recognizable as brands like McDonalds and Amazon. But what will these drugs' popularity mean for the orthopedic industry? 

Texas-based pain management specialist Oscar Lightner, MD, has been sentenced to seven years in prison over his role in the operation of a pill mill clinic that unlawfully prescribed over 600,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash. 

Pain treatment and surgical solutions leader Bioventus has agreed to contract with Aetna Medicare Advantage plans beginning Jan. 1, 2024. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based Vori Health has partnered with Contigo Health, a health benefits platform, for orthopedics.

Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute added artificial intelligence-assisted hip replacements, Positively Osceola reported Dec. 7.

Here are three orthopedic "firsts" Becker's has reported on since Nov. 9:

Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Health plans to open a sports medicine facility in a former Sears department store at the Hagerstown-based Valley Mall, according to a Dec. 4 report from The Herald-Mail.

Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company has acquired MyACTome, a digital health platform for fall risk and frailty assessment.

A 30-story medical office building is under construction on the Upper East Side of New York City, according to a Dec. 6 report from New York Yimby. 

2023 has been a big year for physician-payer relationships, with reimbursement rates dropping, new spine and orthopedic codes being added and removed from prior authorization requirements, and health systems cutting ties with Medicare Advantage plans.