Session Schedule

Join a panel of seasoned orthopedic practice administrators as they delve into the intricacies of efficient prior authorizations. Discover the complexities surrounding staffing, finances, regulations, and workflow, and explore optimal approaches to this vital function. 

This discussion encompasses key facets of the prior authorization process: in-house versus outsourced methods, ideal timing, authorized services, recipient identification, available systems, and the nuanced pros and cons of outsourcing. Gain valuable insights as panelists highlight implementation considerations, potential pitfalls, staff perspectives, and invaluable lessons learned. 

Don't miss this opportunity to uncover strategies for refining prior authorization workflows, navigating challenges, and leveraging practical insights for smoother operations. 

As the trend of increased payor audits persists, fortifying your defense becomes paramount in protecting your orthopedic practice. Join us for this session aimed at identifying potential risk areas and implementing proactive measures to mitigate any audit-related challenges. 
 

• Discover the true essence of 'Medical Necessity' and its pivotal role in navigating audits effectively. Gain insights into the mandatory aspects and immense benefits of a tailored compliance program—one that not only aligns with your practice's needs but is actively utilized. 
   
• Delve into high-risk areas vulnerable to audits and acquire strategies to fortify these critical zones. Arm yourself with the knowledge to craft a robust defense, ensuring your practice remains audit-ready in 2024 and beyond. 
   
• Equip yourself with essential insights and practical tactics to safeguard your practice against audit risks. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and safeguard the future of your orthopedic practice. 

Given that labor shortages and resource limitations are here to stay for the foreseeable future, healthcare organizations must view this challenge through a new lens—making the most of existing staff resources, identifying top performers and rewarding performance.

One key question to ask: If staff gave just 10% more every day, how would that impact operational margin? Like most healthcare organizations, Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists (LOS), sought solutions to an array of converging issues that include declining reimbursements, increasing costs and staff deficiencies. Organizational leadership devised a strategy to capitalize on labor effectiveness—the one area where they could change the outlook.

Realizing that recognition and rewards is critical to retaining the best staff in today’s competitive climate, LOS implemented an infrastructure built on effective intelligence that would provide real-time insight into employee performance, allowing the organization to creatively implement programs to motivate staff. In this presentation, participants will learn how LOS not only decreased its labor dependence but also drove revenue cycle improvements. Presenter will also demonstrate how a healthy dose of competition in daily work can drive improved productivity and outcomes.

Elevate your influence in shaping decisions crucial to your practice and patients getting engaged on the Hill--virtually and in person. Join us for an insightful session designed to amplify your voice among decision-makers. 
 

Discover the 'how' and 'why' behind effective Hill engagement, uncovering strategies to champion your cause. Gain deeper insights into the policy objectives set forth by AAOE, aligning your advocacy efforts with impactful initiatives. 
 

Unlock the secrets to conducting impactful Hill meetings, learning the art of running engaging and impactful sessions. Empower yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to leave an indelible mark on healthcare policy discussions. 
 

Step up as a proactive advocate for your practice and patients. Don't miss this chance to amplify your influence and be an active participant in shaping the future of orthopedic care. 

This discussion is designed for senior practice professionals who are responsible for leading and directing their assigned functional area.

Recommended for: Operation directors, technology directors, human resource directors.

• Approximately 100 million covered employees in the United States are enrolled in self-insured health plans (source: Kaiser Family Foundation).
• Self-insured employers can save up to 15% in healthcare costs with direct contracting strategies (source: Society for Human Resource Management).
• The self-insured ecosystem consisting of TPA’s, nurse navigators, and broker/advisors are looking for transparently priced bundled orthopedic care.
• Learn how to directly contract to grow this market segment.

Embark on a journey of organizational evolution as we share our transformation story. Initially ranked in the 52nd percentile for overall employee satisfaction in 2009, our experience hit a low when leadership satisfaction fell below the 25th percentile. 

Committed to excellence, a small, passionate team catalyzed change by reshaping our culture. We pivoted our leadership approach, fostering collaboration with high performers, nurturing trust, and fostering an emotional connection to the work. Rather than solely troubleshooting, our focus shifted to empowering our team for success. 

Our efforts yielded remarkable recognition—we've been honored as a 'Best Place to Work,' listed among America's top 100 hospitals, and awarded a CMS 5-star rating. Witness our journey from the 52nd to the 98th percentile in employee satisfaction and the leap from the 29th to the 97th percentile in engagement. 

Join this session to glean straightforward yet impactful strategies that propelled us to this remarkable success. Discover actionable tactics to elevate your organization, kick-starting your journey toward becoming a premier healthcare workplace. 

Join us for a the culmination of our comprehensive exploration into the world of orthopedic practice models. Leading up to conference, there will be a three-part webinar series taking a deeper look at the various practice models, leading up to a lively discussion at the Annual Conference. 
 

Attendees will learn about the various orthopedic practice models, empowering you to collaborate effectively with physicians and office stakeholders to choose the ideal model for your practice. As succession planning becomes increasingly critical, the insights gleaned from these sessions will aid in making informed decisions. 
 

We will scrutinize the benefits and challenges associated with Independent, Joint Venture, PSA, Hospital, Private Equity, and Merger models. Each webinar session will include an interactive question and answer segment, fostering engagement and facilitating direct interaction with industry experts. 
 

To find more details about the pre-session webinars, visit www.aaoe.net. Attendance at these webinars is not required, but highly recommended prior to this conference session. 

Engage in strategic conversations and insights on navigating financial challenges, optimizing revenue streams, and capitalizing on market trends specific to the orthopedic industry. Network with fellow finance leaders, share best practices, and explore innovative financial solutions driving success in orthopedic healthcare.

Recommended for: CFO, Finance Managers, Accounting, Revenue Cycle Managers.

Discover invaluable insights on crisis management from seasoned practice executives and security leaders. Our panel session brings together experts to delve into various types of crises, effective strategies for addressing them, and seamless implementation of new policies and procedures within your practice. 
 

Learn from firsthand experience and receive expert guidance on tackling diverse crises that practices encounter. Gain practical advice on crisis response tactics, enabling you to safeguard your practice effectively. 
 

Join us to explore the intricacies of policy implementation during crises, ensuring a proactive and prepared approach within your practice. Don't miss this opportunity to equip yourself with actionable strategies and best practices from industry leaders, enhancing your practice's crisis readiness and resilience. 

Discover the key to reducing repetitive coachings and staff turnover by setting and communicating clear expectations upfront. Learn the art of effective coaching that emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring your team's success from the start and saving valuable time in the long run. 
 

Join this session to unravel the transformative impact of proactive expectation-setting on office dynamics. Explore how investing time at the outset cultivates a culture of success, boosting team morale and productivity. Happy employees breed productivity, ultimately driving a more profitable business. 
 

Unlock the secrets to a happier, more efficient workplace. Learn to lay the groundwork for success, fostering a culture that thrives on proactive coaching and sets your office up for sustained success. 

Join us for an illuminating case study featuring a dynamic collaboration between a prominent orthopedic group and a surgeon-founded pricing transparency solution. In today's evolving healthcare terrain, optimizing payment processes and financial performance is paramount for independent practices. Discover how this collaboration revolutionized payment strategies, delivering exceptional orthopedic care while meeting patient and self-insured ecosystem demands. 
 

Explore the challenges faced by the practice and the strategic objectives set to overcome them. Dive deep into their innovative implementation of price transparency and direct-pay options, expanding their payer mix and enhancing patient experiences. Hear firsthand accounts from the practice CEO on transforming payment processes for heightened success. 
 

Gain insights from the surgeon-founder on developing comprehensive price transparency strategies, integrating direct-pay solutions seamlessly into operations, and achieving remarkable results. Learn how this collaboration drove market expansion, revenue growth, improved patient experiences, and ensured compliance with self-insured employers. 
 

This session unveils the power of collaborative innovation in reshaping financial success and elevating patient satisfaction in orthopedic practices. Be inspired to propel your practice forward, delivering exceptional care and thriving in today's evolving healthcare payment landscape. 

Discover the intricate world of stress and its dual nature—both a motivator and a detractor in our lives. Delve into the fight/flight/freeze response, understanding how it triggers and affects us. 
 

In this enlightening session, learn to spot stress signals not just within yourself but also in your workplace environment. Explore common unhealthy coping mechanisms many succumb to, aiming to numb stress's impact. 

However, the journey doesn't stop there. Gain insights into healthier coping strategies designed to tackle stress head-on, not merely dampen it. Unearth the mind-body connection, discovering how thoughts and actions influence stress levels and well-being. 

Equip yourself with additional tools and techniques to fortify your stress management arsenal. Elevate your understanding and embrace a holistic approach to conquering stress, empowering yourself and those around you to lead balanced, fulfilling lives. 

If you have over five years of experience working in practice management and/or are working in a management role that reports to a functional area director, this roundtable is for you. Exchange ideas on how to succeed in your role and prepare for further career advancement.

Recommended for: finance managers, accounting managers, human resources managers, billing managers, and related positions.

Join us for an empowering session poised to ignite change in the orthopaedic landscape! Discover the compelling link between Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and elevated morale among medical staff. Gain insights into how fostering diversity creates a welcoming environment for both staff and patients, enhancing satisfaction and clinical outcomes. 

 

Uncover the pivotal role of EDI in attracting and retaining top talent within orthopedic surgery settings, transforming the way we approach recruitment and retention. Walk away equipped to champion EDI initiatives, poised to rejuvenate and propel our orthopaedic community into a brighter, more inclusive future. Don't miss this transformative session aiming to inspire change agents and create a forward-thinking environment within your sphere of influence. 

Discover the untapped potential of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) as a revenue booster in Physical Therapy. Gain insights into selecting the right vendor partner, defining program goals, and navigating various operational models while ensuring compliance. 
 

Join us to demystify RTM and explore its distinct advantages as an ancillary service complementing in-person care. This session is tailored for those curious about RTM's benefits but seek clarity on its implementation without extensive research. 
 

Delve into Medicare programs like Chronic Care Management (CCM), Patient Care Management (PCM), and Remote Physiological Monitoring (RPM). Understand the nuances, similarities, and differences, empowering you to navigate these programs effectively. 
 

Perfect for those exploring RTM's potential without prior in-depth knowledge, this session unveils its role as a revenue-enhancing adjunct to Physical Therapy, equipping you with the insights to implement and optimize this service in your practice efficiently. 

Discover how PROMs have become an essential measure defining the value of orthopedic care. Learn how these outcomes not only depict care quality but also significantly impact payer contracts and the shift toward value-based care. 

This session highlights PROMs as a multifaceted tool: a marketing asset showcasing care value to patients, a benchmarking tool for comparison among practices, and an internal catalyst for innovation and enhanced patient care. Join us to unlock the potential of PROMs in driving better patient outcomes and practice success.

Track and improve your ASC's surgical process effectively. Uncover insights into missed surgeries, last-minute rescheduling, and candidate dropouts, empowering your ASC to ensure smooth transitions to the operating table. 
 

Learn the critical levers to maximize surgery closure rates and enhance patient experiences. Gain practical tips for a transparent, data-driven surgical pipeline, bridging gaps between your practice and ASC. Discover strategies to dissolve operational barriers and empower teams for seamless surgery coordination. 
 

Empower your staff to autonomously manage surgeries, fostering collaboration and driving increased surgical volume while reducing administrative burdens. This session is your key to optimizing ASC operations, enhancing efficiency, and bolstering profitability for your practice. 

In the high-stakes world of orthopedics, precise coding and documentation are non-negotiable for financial health and compliance. Dive into our presentation for an insightful exploration of common pitfalls in orthopedic billing, coding, and documentation, equipped with practical strategies for accuracy and compliance. 
 

Understand the financial impact and compliance risks linked to errors, particularly in modifier usage, procedure coding, and medically necessity documentation. Learn to spot, rectify, and prevent errors, safeguarding reimbursement and mitigating audit and denial risks. 
 

Our expert speakers will illustrate with real-life examples and case studies, unveiling best practices for accurate coding and documentation. Delve into E/M coding nuances, aligning with updated guidelines for optimal reimbursement. 
 

Discover the significance of regular audits and effective error identification strategies, ensuring coding and documentation integrity. Equip yourself with actionable tools to elevate accuracy, safeguard financial health, and align with coding and documentation best practices in orthopedics. 
 

Join us to master the art of precision in orthopedic billing, avoiding common errors, and cultivating excellence in your practice's financial and compliance standards. 

This discussion is designed for practice professionals who are new to the practice setting, or new in their careers. Join us to build your network and learn from others who are getting their start.

Recommended for: Practice professionals with less than 5 years of experience or under 40 years old.

Amidst evolving healthcare landscapes and reimbursement challenges, it's time for a paradigm shift in care delivery. Join us as we explore a transformative approach designed to meet the ever-growing demands for superior care while optimizing scheduling efficiency. 

In this session, we'll unravel the evolution of care delivery, from traditional office visits to a groundbreaking model centered around problem-based appointments. Discover how this model, focusing on high-level maintenance and strategically reserved visits, aligns with medical necessity, enabling tailored treatment plans. 

But it doesn't stop there. We'll delve into the sustainability of this model, evaluating its impact on patients, physicians, and practices alike. Uncover how this innovative approach not only enhances patient care but also streamlines the physician's workload and elevates practice efficiency. 
 

Join the conversation and be at the forefront of reshaping medical care. Don't miss this opportunity to explore a sustainable, patient-centric model that benefits all stakeholders in the healthcare journey. 

This Roundtable discussion is designed for licensed providers, including physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, who are working in a practice operations role.

Recommended for: Managing physicians, clinical directors, clinical managers, patient navigators, and related positions.

Whether you are new to benchmarking or a regular participant, finding time to complete the AAOE Benchmarking Survey and getting answers to your questions about the survey while you are in your office can be challenging. The purpose of this workshop is to help you get started on the Benchmarking Survey for Data Year 2023 with the guidance and support of AAOE staff and members of the AAOE Data Analytics Council.

Prior to the workshop, you will be asked to familiarize yourself with the Benchmarking Survey, pull reports that you will need to complete specific sections of the survey, and connect with others in your practice who will provide data for the Benchmarking Survey. Then, bring your laptop, reports, and data to the workshop and get suggestions, clarifications, and assistance from workshop facilitators to complete data entry into the Benchmarking Survey.

You will leave with several sections of the survey started or completed, a better understanding of the data requested in the survey, and a strategy for successfully completing the survey after you return to the office.

Join Sean as he unveils the crucial importance of cultivating a culture of compliance within healthcare settings. This session isn't your standard compliance talk—it's a deep dive into the often overlooked areas that could leave your organization vulnerable to government scrutiny. 
 

From a risk-based standpoint, Sean will navigate the uncharted territories of compliance, shedding light on critical aspects often brushed aside. Don't let the size of your organization deceive you—this session is essential for safeguarding your practice against potential threats from government agencies and their investigators.
 

Walk away empowered, armed with insights to fortify your compliance program and shield your organization's assets. Embrace this opportunity to bolster your defenses and proactively secure your practice's future. 

Join your peers in orthopedic leadership for the AAOE Executives Roundtable to collaborate on strategies, share visions, and address big issues.

Recommended for: C-Suite* Professionals and Practice Administrators (i.e., most senior staff who reports directly to the Board).

*We recommend CFOs attend the Financial Leader Roundtable for more finance specific discussions.

Game Changer

Join Rear Admiral Ryan as she takes you back to a chilly early morning in February 1988. Picture a distress call from a fishing vessel nearly 100 miles offshore, taking on water and in desperate need of rescue. Relive the heart-pounding moments of the Coast Guard Cutter battling 15, 20, and 30-foot seas as they pushed the boundaries of engineering and human endurance to answer the call. This is not just a story of survival but a testament to the power of teamwork, quick thinking, and sheer determination. 

In this experiential workshop you will see yourself in every aspect of this leadership journey. Learn the practical and tactical lessons of holding the light. Learn how other organizations 'hold the light,' and to apply those lessons in every aspect of your life, at home, at work, and in your community. 

Game Changer

In the 2022 “State of the Global Workplace” Gallup reports that only 21% of employees are engaged at work and only 33% of employees are thriving in their overall wellbeing. Most employees would say that they don't find their work meaningful, they don't think their lives are going well or they don't feel hopeful about their future. Global workers report mantras such as: "Living for the weekend," "watching the clock tick," "work is just a paycheck."

We can assume that these attitudes also spill over impacting our communities, and our home-life. So, what are the 21% of companies doing right that the other 79% of companies are not doing? If we are a leader or business owner, how can we create an environment that is an affirming, validating, empowering place to be? How can we be self-affirming, self-validating, and self-empowering when we find ourselves in an environment that is not supporting those things? How can we be a “positive node” in our workplace, in our community, and at home?  
 

Join me to uncover proven strategies that you can use right now be the bright light in your ecosystem that serves to light others up.

Game Changer

A culture of inclusivity is a culture of high performance. Likely you’re prioritizing diversity and inclusion. And, you’ve had setbacks—and need some fresh ideas and inspiration! 
 
Dr. Ivan Joseph shares practical and proven strategies to build an inclusive culture. An authority on retention of under-represented populations in predominantly white organizations, Dr Joseph also speaks movingly from his own experience. He has overcome challenges, broken barriers, and led a transformation toward inclusivity in every organization he’s worked for. 

Born in Guyana, Ivan moved to Canada at age five. Ivan knows what it’s like to look different and sound different, to be a Black student on a white campus, to be a leader from an under-represented group. He has experienced the challenges and opportunities of being a designated hire. And he understands from the inside the complexities of creating an inclusive organizational culture.

In this perspective-shifting talk, Ivan shares insights and experiences from his own remarkable story.

• Seven steps for thriving on change. 
• How to cope with workplace situations that are beyond your control. 
• Twelve motivators that can keep you motivated at work. 
• Five ways to rekindle passion for your career. 
• How to communicate concerns in a way that will get the results you desire. 
• How to effectively protect yourself from the negativity of others. 
• How to use your “resiliency?resources” to bounce back from adversity. 

IGNITE

No matter what business you’re in, your success can very often boil down to one thing – your culture.  You may offer the very best medical care for your patients with the big dollars to promote it, but it’s the people that will really define how successful you are.  Your employees have the power to make or break your brand. 

A deeply embedded culture of success inspires loyalty in employees and makes them want to be a part of a team.  It motivates people to do the right thing, not just the easy thing.  At companies with winning cultures, people not only know what they should do, they know why they should do it.