Back to Our Regular Programming

In decades past, at the end of a news soundbite that interrupted a regularly scheduled television show, an announcer would say: “And now, back to our regular programming.” That announcement feels somewhat reminiscent of our current transition to life after the pandemic.

After more than a year of the world functioning on amended personal and professional schedules, we are excited to be planning live events again, including the annual HealthTrust University Conference. My team is working with more than 70 presenters to deliver a quality slate of education programs for our live attendees, as well as those of you who will join us virtually on July 26, 27 and 28.

Of particular timeliness is the “COVID-19 Impact & How to Move Forward” panel on July 27, featuring three Physician Advisors: Howard L. Burley Jr., M.D.; Frank Drummond, M.D., MBA; and S. Shaefer Spires, M.D. The panel will address how health systems can move forward despite the fact that significant changes implemented during the public health emergency will no longer be in effect (see the cover story with Dr. Spires on page 52). These subject matter experts will also address the impact to front-line healthcare workers, vaccine efficacy and the new reality: caring for COVID long-haulers, which has become a specialty.

Outpatient movement

Joining me on July 26 for “Procedures Move Toward Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)” will be Tony Taparo (Surgery Partners), along with Physician Advisors Richard R. Heuser, M.D., FACC, FACP, FESC, FSCAI, and Christopher Kauffman, M.D. We will communicate the general changes to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ final rule for 2021 with regard to outpatient procedures and focus on how health system leaders, physicians and service line leaders can best prepare for this extensive shift in site of care. The outpatient movement will continue to grow as more procedures are removed from the Medicare Inpatient Only list and are performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPD). ASCs will benefit, as many procedures performed in HOPD will most likely make the ASC-approved list for Medicare reimbursement.

Physician collaboration

Rounding out our Physician Advisor participation in the 2021 event are two sessions with a focus on contracting and the importance of using clinical evidence and process improvement to collaborate with physicians in medical device sourcing. Offered on July 27, those sessions include:

“Physician Collaboration Is Key to Successful Medical Device Sourcing,” featuring Physician Advisors Steve Gremillion, M.D., FACC, and Mark Pinto, M.D., MBA
“The Osteobiologics Contracting Process,” featuring Physician Advisors Kade Huntsman, M.D., and William Payne, M.D.

In-person invites to HTU are based on IDN allocations. The good news, however, is that all members are invited to attend the virtual event. We look forward to your participation and feedback.

For more information on attending the virtual HTU event, contact the HealthTrust Marketing & Events team at conferences@healthtrustpg.com.