3 trends that could impact your orthopedic practiceWhat they mean for clinicians, patients, and in-office MRI

Payer policies continue to push many procedures to non-hospital sites of care. As many as 80-90% of diagnostic imaging procedures could be impacted by site of review policies from private payors in non-rural markets.⁴ Many private payers are already restricting MR in the hospital-based setting, and Medicare is also encouraging procedure migration outside the hospital. Policies like these from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private payors will likely drive more imaging volume to outpatient centers.⁴

As a result of the pandemic, orthopedic and spine surgeries are significantly backlogged. COVID-19 caused the deferral of millions of elective procedures nationwide. Now, not only are cases backlogged but, as a result, many of those cases may involve more advanced disease states and, potentially, poorer outcomes for patients.²

The U.S. population is aging rapidly. In 2010, just 12% of the population was over 65. By 2030, 19% of the population will be over 65. In fact, there will be 67 million adults with arthritis by 2030. The rise in aging and chronic disease will likely fuel the orthopedic implant market over the next 10 years.³

Payer policies continue to push many procedures to non-hospital sites of care. As many as 80-90% of diagnostic imaging procedures could be impacted by site of review policies from private payors in non-rural markets.⁴ Many private payers are already restricting MR in the hospital-based setting, and Medicare is also encouraging procedure migration outside the hospital. Policies like these from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private payors will likely drive more imaging volume to outpatient centers.⁴