The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) is looking for AAOS members who perform hip or knee procedures, are willing to learn about the details of Relative Value code development, and will consider becoming part of an expert panel.

General orthopaedic surgeons are invited to attend the American Medical Association/Relative Value Scale Update Committee (AMA/RUC) Physicians Work Survey Training Course presented by Roseanne Fischoff, MMP, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the DFW Hyatt Regency, Dallas. Participants can then attend the AAHKS Annual Meeting (same location, Nov. 5–7) and take advantage of AAHKS member pricing.

The goal of the course is to provide attendees with information on how to accurately complete a RUC survey on hip and knee codes for the review process. The RUC is responsible for making recommendations on relative value units (RVUs) for new and revised codes and for annually updating RVUs to reflect changes in medical practice. These values determine the rate at which Medicare and other payors reimburse for procedures. Recommendations are made to the RUC based on survey data collected from practicing orthopaedic surgeons.

Accurate survey responses ensure that RVUs will be accurately and fairly presented to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is important to your patients because adequate reimbursement helps ensure access and attract orthopaedic surgeons willing to perform these surgeries.

Orthopaedists interested in attending the course should e-mail Eileen Lusk at eileen@aahks.org