How Should Orthopaedic Surgeons Be Paid?

In this episode, host Stuart J. Fischer, MD, FAAOS, welcomes David Jevsevar, MD, MBA, FAAOS, and Ronald Navarro, MD, FAAOS, to discuss the pros and cons of the various payment models for orthopaedic surgeons. Both guests have extensive experience in physician payment and administration across independent, employed, and academic settings.

The conversation moves through RVU-based pay, straight salary, salary plus incentive, multispecialty groups, and fee for service. Drs. Jevsevar and Navarro discuss the tension between rewarding clinical productivity and valuing leadership, research, and community service. They also explore how ancillary income, bundled payments, and patient-reported outcomes are changing the landscape. The conversation closes with Drs. Jevsevar and Navarro weighing in on what a better payment system might look like, while acknowledging that there is no perfect solution.

Host: Stuart J. Fischer, MD, FAAOS, member, AAOS Now Editorial Board

Guests: David Jevsevar, MD, MBA, FAAOS, sports medicine surgeon and CEO of OrthoVirginia

Ronald Navarro, MD, FAAOS, sports medicine surgeon and Regional Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, Southern California region, at Kaiser Permanente