Adam Bruggeman, MD @DrBruggeman Twitter profile | Pikagi

Pikagi

Adam Bruggeman, MD

@DrBruggeman

1,247

Followers

741

Following

112

Media

631

Statuses

Spine surgeon, dual boarded in addiction medicine and orthopedics. passionate about health policy. AAOS Council on Advocacy Chair

San Antonio, Texas

https://t.co/5H3zw0iFbq

Joined June 2014

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

Pinned Tweet

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Take a minute and realize how absolutely laughable this statement (quoted below) that increased physician payments in NSA above an artificially low QPA will cause an increase in insurance premiums. FACTS: One half of one percent of all claims are NSA eligible per AHIP (.005).

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

@LorenAdler

Loren Adler

3 months

The No Surprises Act was supposed to eliminate surprise bills w/o increasing premiums. But that goal now appears at risk. We find that prices emerging from arbitration are much higher than prior in-network rates. As a result, the law may perversely end up ↑ premiums.

24

24

58

11

46

134

Last Seen Profiles

@baegeta

@stw_pdg

@JohnRiveraIV

@nicosemsrott

@LostInqq

@shibaken_mameta

@chupii___

@PailletMaena

@Barley_Juice_

@nachanine

@Tantedesijanda

@BenVibrantt

@iank09087877

@progacz53519

@creates_robin

@ivezic

@DrLSDPittman

@SuperNormal

@ShoadesVvLFio

@jandakembangstw

@BrokeFromGME

@TheCatsMeowInc

@jandakembangstw

@esterviola

@Yassin_Jiwe

@b0ts_0613_

@china61192243

@GeorganneFord

@jockmufc

@Unapers97266236

@carj4yz_

@stw_pdg

@AlexThe_First

@prmryclrdvgn

@Jamie_Barnes3

@krasnekotatko

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

14 days

Today my team sat down with our insurance broker. My health insurance premium for my employees went up 30% for our renewal. The government cut their pay to me and all doctors by 3.37% this year for the first two months then reduced the cut to 1.66% for the remainder of the

54

264

555

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

The cost to American taxpayers? Over $80B ANNUALLY. We can’t keep propping up insurers while cutting pay to physicians annually. Take the money from the hands of insurers and put it in the hands of the doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and

@CMS_Burden_GOV

CMS Office of Burden Reduction - Parody Account

@CMS_Burden_GOV

6 months

MedPac report details how Medicare Advantage plans charge the government 23% more than it would have cost to treat the same patients in traditional Medicare without gimmicks such as prior authorizations and "death" AI algorithms. That's page 26! Now, they deny 30-50% of care

Tweet media one

0

21

32

18

118

324

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Listen to this exchange between Sen Warren and Andrew Witty, CEO of United. He states that the 90,000 employed (or “controlled”) doctors “choose to work with us” implying they have a choice. That’s an incredible manipulation of facts. 1) In order to meet the IRS definition of

@bobjherman

Bob Herman

2 months

I still can't get over this exchange between Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Witty. Semantics aside, UnitedHealth still has 90,000 physicians who have a financial incentive to work with, and look out for, UnitedHealth. That is no small thing.

17

32

101

19

75

248

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Things that have gone down since ACA was passed: 1) physician ownership in hospitals 2) physician pay compared to inflation 3) access to care Things that have gone up since ACA was passed: 1) insurance company profits 2) consolidation/vertical integration 3) insurance premiums

@DutchRojas

Dutch Rojas

3 months

Proponents of the ACA wanted lower premiums. What the country received was higher premiums. Have premiums gone down since 2009?

20

9

52

28

56

208

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

11 months

Hospitals get 3.1% INCREASE from Biden admin and they say it’s not enough. Doctors get 3.36% DECREASE from Biden admin after 20 years of failing to keep physician pay up with costs and inflation. If it’s not enough for hospitals it’s not appropriate for MD small businesses either

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

11

79

195

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Adding insult to injury. How is this ok? Physicians didn’t get paid and now must spend additional money to ultimately get paid due to inappropriate denials. Looking forward to the hearings on the Change Healthcare outage. The system is completely out of control.

@cdemoormd

Carrie de Moor

3 months

This is fun… UHC system crashes for over a month. They get billions behind in payments. Then deny claims not “filed timely” during the time they were unable to process claims… and docs have to waste time to appeal this stupidity. 😡 #insurancefail

Tweet media one

8

69

213

11

57

178

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

I just heard yet another colleague of mine, a surgeon who trained here in San Antonio, was killed today by a patient of his. We must make a stand and protect physicians and their staff. Something has to change. This is senseless.

8

27

155

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Don’t look now… insurance companies have a policy (copays) that saves money, ensures more bonuses for their executives, and increases returns to their stockholders. Guess what it does for patients? It kills them. This is the sad reality of our current healthcare system.

Tweet media one

@oziadias

Ziad Obermeyer

2 months

Ever wonder why your insurer charges a copay for statins (and other high-value meds)? Don’t they want to prevent heart attacks, strokes, etc? Copays never made sense to me. In this new paper in @QJEHarvard , we show copays kill. 🧵

39

329

950

10

53

156

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Physicians want to open hospitals where other entities have failed. The Affordable Care Act prevents these physicians from building hospitals in the communities of need. Instead they can only build clinics. It’s time to repeal Section 6001 of the Act. This is in the community

Tweet media one

6

40

150

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

10 months

300 Orthopaedic surgeons. 350 congressional visits. We advocated for long term payment reform, healthcare worker safety, physician ownership of hospitals, and reform of prior authorization. Nothing happens overnight but the bipartisan interest was clearly evident.

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

Tweet media four

8

12

83

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

I had a previous post showing that Medicare Advantage plans are potentially (in dispute by some members of MedPAC) making $88B in excess profits per year over traditional MCR. This new whistleblower article discusses how Optum, the largest MA plan, is doing it. At a time when

14

25

112

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Want to see the latest Optum tactic? It’s called “Innovative Payment Integrity Approach for Focused Claims Review”. Inundate the physician or hospital with medical records requests, run the claims through AI, then deny if a period is missing. Leads to multiple appeals to get

Tweet media one

16

38

108

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Thank you to Dr Murphy for continuing to point out the downstream effects of declining physician reimbursement… new medical students find it more rewarding to go into business with their MD than to actually practice. We have a shortage of physicians and must protect access

@RepGregMurphy

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.

3 months

The fire physician shortage is here. Med Schools aren’t responding as 63% of medical students now have no intention of practicing. Washington must stop access for Seniors by cutting Medicare reimbursements and crushing access to care.

45

34

139

12

14

106

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

19 days

Today is the day…. The “Prior Authorization Bill” has been dropped. It passed the House unanimously last session right as the CBO scored the bill at $16B. The Senate declined to take it up due to cost concerns. The new score, due to Biden administration actions, should be 0.

10

30

105

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

5 months

This is incredibly important for the future of our country. Thank you for your leadership along with @michaelcburgess

@RepGregMurphy

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.

5 months

Last night, I led a bipartisan coalition in opposing the 3.37% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. 83+ million people in the U.S. currently live in areas without sufficient access to a Primary Care Physician. Congress must stand up for America's patients and doctors!

11

40

147

3

14

100

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Prior authorization continues to burden physicians and patients. In this study, only 0.3% of all claims were ultimately denied but it took over a month on average to get approval and even longer when the insurance company initially denied the care then ultimately reversed course.

@JArthroplasty

The Journal of Arthroplasty

3 months

This study found prior authorization in a high-volume orthopaedic practice to approve elective THA and TKA led to increased surgical waiting times and a high administrative burden for surgeons and healthcare staff.

Tweet media one

2

11

45

2

26

97

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Honored to be asked for the second time in a month to testify on the issues facing physicians in our healthcare system. Listen in on Thursday as we discuss how consolidation is impacting American physicians and patients.

Tweet media one

6

15

97

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

We finally have SOME information about what was stolen. Sounds like it wasn’t charts from physician offices. United also confirmed that the ransom was paid (previously reported as $22 Million). The bad news: a “substantial” portion of the population is impacted. This goes

15

36

95

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

Proud to continue the fight in DC for payment reform, physician owned hospitals, and prior authorization. Our voice and that of our patients must be heard…. The future of our healthcare system depends on a stable and appropriate payment system.

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

6

15

93

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Another day, another bad story about prior authorization. Doctors burning out due to the demands of insurers on how quickly they must deny care. Outsourced medical decisions to nurses in the Philippines. Congress needs to step in and fix this problem!

Tweet card media

A Doctor at Cigna Said Her Bosses Pressured Her to Review Patients’ Cases Too Quickly. Cigna...

Cigna tracks every minute that its staff doctors spend deciding whether to pay for health care. Dr. Debby Day said her bosses cared more about being fast than being right: “Deny, deny, deny. That’s...

www.propublica.org

9

26

92

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Today I had the opportunity to testify in front of the Budget Committee on breaking up Monopolies while Chris Kean, COO of TSAOG testified on independent physician practice in Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. There is a strong bipartisan desire to fix physician pay, break down

Tweet media one

12

12

92

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

If you want a succinct, easy to read description of how our government has failed to reign in insurance companies and how that has ruined American healthcare, it’s right here. Physician groups must work together to bring about change.

Tweet card media

Opinion | Why Do We Tolerate Our Health Insurance Problem?

It's time for patients to be the priority

www.medpagetoday.com

12

34

80

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

5 months

Happy to continue to shine the light on inadequate payment in the Medicare fee schedule for physicians. Every other aspect of healthcare gets a pay increase that reflects inflation. Physicians, midlevels, counselors, and physical therapists instead get cut every year. It’s long

6

16

81

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Thankful to have spent some time with Speaker Johnson for dinner a few weeks ago and then again here in San Antonio. Fun fact… we both got engaged on the Riverwalk. We spent most of our time discussing payment reform and consolidation issues in healthcare.

Tweet media one

11

2

78

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Today I have the privilege to testify in Congress in front of the health subcommittee of energy and commerce regarding the impact of the Change cyberattack on physician practices. My written testimony can be found here: The link to watch is here:

4

11

72

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

I got a last minute call to be in DC for an important meeting…. dinner with Speaker Mike Johnson. I took advantage of my time to have meetings with 12 different offices (mix of staff and Members) in my short time there before flying home. We are making progress on meaningful pay

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

Tweet media four

8

1

66

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Rep Carter couldn’t contain his excitement for this hearing. Thankful to be asked to represent physicians on this ever important topic. Also thank you to Rep Carter for his tireless support of physicians and healthcare providers in our fight against large corporations

@RepBuddyCarter

Buddy Carter

@RepBuddyCarter

1 month

Health care consolidation decreases patient outcomes and increases patient costs.

7

31

72

4

12

66

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

6 months

Thankful for the nearly 200 bipartisan members of Congress that signed on to stop physician cuts. This is the short term fix that must get included in budget bills this January. Pay cuts lead to consolidation, reduced access, and increased overall costs

2

15

63

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Must read for today… The @nytimes and @ChrisDHamby outlined how Multiplan has been coordinating with insurance companies to take significant money (measured in billions) from self-insured companies. What if I told you they have used a different scheme to confuse physicians and

8

24

64

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

See my recent statement on the Medicare cuts for 2024. We can no longer sit back and allow others to control our narrative. Join me in the fight to take back our practices and allow physicians to independently practice medicine the way they were trained

Tweet card media

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) on LinkedIn: #orthoadvocacyinaction

Congress just reduced the 2024 Medicare pay cut, but the minor adjustment hardly classifies as a solution. Read full statement from Adam J. Bruggeman, MD…

www.linkedin.com

2

8

63

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

What’s your life worth? $100? $1000? $10,000? $100,000? Like it or not, insurance carriers are determining your worth every day. This incredible piece by the NYT shows the egregious expansion of prior authorization. This video should appall you. It should shake you to your

2

18

61

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

24 days

What a night of conversation on health policy. I had the pleasure of eating with @drdanchoi and @DrDiGiorgio on the issues plaguing physician practices and how we can solve them. We tackled topics like 340B, site neutral, Medicare payment reform, and prior authorization. It’s

Tweet media one

6

7

61

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

BCBS (and others) complain about the consolidation of anesthesia practices and then announce they will be paying less for anesthesia procedures which will lead to… more consolidation. Another example of the disconnect between payment policy and the value of the care provided.

@CRCook1978

Christopher Cook, D.O., FASA

2 months

@Tamara39224 @txsportsdoc @BCBSAssociation 👀 ⬇️

3

1

1

7

8

58

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Incredibly honored to be invited to speak on behalf of physicians across the country on the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack in Congress next week. I am thankful our elected officials have a strong interest in understanding the effects of the outage and find solutions!

Tweet media one

11

9

58

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Please keep telling your stories. Our elected officials need to hear the issues physicians are facing and the impact this continues to have on patient care and access. Physicians tend to put their head down and weather every storm without complaining but it’s time to speak up

@DrNVSportsSpine

Nikhil Verma, MD (Insert Check Mark)

@DrNVSportsSpine

2 months

The past few weeks, my social media algorithm has been flooding my feed with physicians wanting to leave medicine. Here are some of the posts I've seen 🧵

16

31

135

1

15

56

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

One year and $10.6B in unfunded costs to overturn claims that should have been paid. How many more examples of waste do we have to show before everyone wakes up to the cost insurance is adding through greed and profits? PBMs, prior auth, vertical integration…

@MarilynHeineMD

Marilyn Heine

@MarilynHeineMD

3 months

❗️Healthcare providers 'wasted' $10.6B in 2022 overturning claims denials, survey finds ❗️Add to this: costs of clinical labor to adjudicate claims ❗️Delays: it took an average of 3 reviews - each at 45-60 days - for insurers to go from denial to payment

2

16

33

2

13

53

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

13 days

@JerryMassey Jerry…. Hospitals are indeed getting increases in pay and buying up physician practices but the physician fees are not driving healthcare costs as you note in your reply.

3

0

53

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Good news…. Steward physicians aren’t owned by private equity anymore. Insurance companies will be responsible owners and would never behave like the dreaded private equity. Everyone should be celebrating

14

4

51

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

7 months

Medicare Payment requires reform. Full Stop. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and I spoke recently about the issues around the fee schedule and reforms that need to take place. Listen to our podcast and join the fight to retain access to high quality care!

Tweet media one

5

10

45

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

7 months

There are still those who doubt that Medicare policies have an impact on access to care. This is real evidence of a concerning trend over the last 20 years, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Absent reform we will see many more consequences

@texmed

Texas Medical Association

7 months

Medicare Payment Crisis Forces Rural Practice Closure: Haskell family physician C. Wayne Cadenhead, MD, will close his practice on Dec. 21 due to successive Medicare physician pay cuts that left him with no other choice.

Tweet media one

2

5

7

6

10

45

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Today I had a visit at my office from Representative Emmer, the Majority Whip. We had a great conversation on the challenges faced by physicians and those in the mental health profession. I am thankful for his time and appreciate his concern for our issues!

Tweet media one

1

4

42

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

6 months

Prior authorization has been weaponized against physicians and patients in the name of bottom line profits masqueraded as arguments against overuse. This article outlines the significant pain felt by patients from unnecessary and inappropriate processes.

Tweet card media

The Wrong Fight—Prior Authorization

This essay describes the author’s experience with denial of prior authorization for imaging to complete cancer staging.

jamanetwork.com

3

13

42

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

12 days

I was honored to testify about the issues physicians faced with regards to the Change cyberattack. All of the panelists felt that consolidation is making cyberattacks more frequent and easier. Congress needs to act to protect patients and physicians caught up in the attacks

@bijans

Bijan Salehizadeh

12 days

Consequences of EMR hacks are significant patient safety issues. And yet, terrible endpoint security, lack of 2FA, etc etc plague many healthcare IT system implementations.

1

3

8

4

5

42

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Great explanation of 340B programs. Physicians who are looking for significant changes to the physician fee schedule will need to find ways to pay for the large corrections needed. Redistributing pay away from administration in hospitals is one way to help defray costs

@DrDiGiorgio

Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, MHA

2 months

More proof that complex drug pricing rules are just playgrounds for big, rich hospital corporations. This might seem esoteric, but whether you're a patient or a doctor, it impacts YOU. The 340B program was designed to help hospitals serving many low-income patients by forcing

13

26

91

2

5

40

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Enjoyed my day meeting with Members of Congress and discussing the issues we face since the Change healthcare attack

Tweet card media

Lawmakers rip UnitedHealth at Change Healthcare hearing

Shoring up the healthcare system against cyber threats is going to take a lot of money, witnesses and House members said during the first congressional hearing on the Change Healthcare breach.

www.modernhealthcare.com

3

6

39

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

Thank you to @DGlaucomflecken for joining me on the podcast. Listen to his thoughts on being active on social media, using comedy to approach difficult topics, and the importance of physicians advocating for their patients and their colleagues!

@AAOS1

AAOS

4 months

In the latest episode of the AAOS Advocacy Podcast, Dr. Will Flanary, better known as @DGlaucomflecken by his 4 million followers on social media, explained how he uses medical comedy to entertain and bring attention to key public policy issues.

1

12

43

1

6

36

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

11 months

Did you know that when CMS cuts the “Medicare physician fee schedule”, they don’t just hurt doctors? Those same fees are reduced for PAs, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, social workers, and starting next year, counselors. Something must be done!

7

2

35

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Thankful for the continued coverage of my testimony and the hearing. We need the voice of physicians on the Hill to maintain the pressure on forces trying to drive us out of practice.

Tweet card media

House committee takes aim at healthcare consolidation, eyes site-neutral payments

Equalizing Medicare payment between sites of service to cut down on provider consolidation is a “no brainer,” one witness testified during the hearing.

www.healthcaredive.com

1

14

35

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Just getting to DC for meetings to advocate for our Orthopedic patients and fellow physicians. We call it House Call on the Mall. Now that the budget is behind us, it’s time to get to work!

Tweet media one

7

6

35

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

Had a great weekend talking healthcare and advocating for our issues. It is difficult for physicians in today’s environment but I assure you our voices are being heard. Now is the time to dig in and be at the table to negotiate for a functional healthcare system!

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

5

2

31

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

Thank you to @WISenRonJohnson for saying what all of us are thinking. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Our message continues to resonate in the halls of Congress. Let us know how we can help! “And 80% of physicians used to be independent. Now 80% are part of

2

10

31

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Today the FTC will vote on a potential noncompete ban nationwide. Orthopedic surgeons have significant disagreement on the topic. Do you agree with a noncompete ban for physicians and healthcare professionals? Comment below

Yes, ban noncompetes

1316

No, keep noncompetes

76

44

11

31

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

I talk about the impact of consolidation on healthcare frequently. Many of you have similar concerns, whether it’s an access issue, cost, or other downstream effect. The Department of Justice wants to hear these complaints and has opened a new portal. Click below!

5

14

31

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

19 days

All too often doctors are never given the answer key. Instead they must perform the equivalent of hitting a bullseye in darts while the room is pitch black. Information inequality is intentional by insurers to reduce authorizations and frustrate patients and physicians. I am

@MarilynHeineMD

Marilyn Heine

@MarilynHeineMD

19 days

'Denials must not be a mystery': AMA adopts #FixPriorAuth policies The ⁦ @AmerMedicalAssn ⁩ adopted new policies on #priorauth reform during its annual House of Delegates meeting. Advocating to ⬆️ •Legal accountability •Denial transparency 👉

Tweet media one

1

7

28

1

5

30

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

26 days

Thankful for the time in DC with so many members from both sides of the aisle. House Call on the Mall is a can’t miss event for physicians. Put it on your calendar for next year. I met with Reps Burgess, J Joyce, Carter, Hudson, Van Duyne, Guthrie, T Gonzales, Schrier, Del Bene,

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

Tweet media four

1

7

30

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

11 months

Do you know the many benefits of physician-owned hospitals? • Provide quality care at low costs • Help meet growing need for services • Add competition to the industry Urge Congress to pass #HR977 #S470 and repeal the ban on their growth, expansion #OrthoAdvocacyinAction

Tweet media one

2

25

28

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

6 months

And yet we keep cutting physician pay while creating favorable environments for insurance companies to profit. The savings from fixing this issue (or others) would more than pay for permanently connecting physician pay to inflationary updates.

@bobjherman

Bob Herman

6 months

An updated, and truly damning, MedPAC slide: Medicare Advantage plans are being overpaid by tens of billions of taxpayer dollars *every year* by both attracting healthier, lower-cost people and coding the hell out of everyone who enrolls.

Tweet media one

21

112

248

0

7

28

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Rep Burgess couldn’t be more correct. These models are fundamentally wrong and it is these models that are preventing widespread adoption of physician owned hospitals, which should save our government money. While the CBO refused to comment on policy, their decisions, even when

@michaelcburgess

Michael Burgess, MD

@michaelcburgess

1 month

Competition will lower health costs and increase access to care for American patients. @USCBO should recognize physician owned hospitals as a serious policy solution to reduce consolidation.

2

12

36

0

7

26

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Attention all health policy docs…. This is your chance to turn your online voice into action. Next month we have our House Call on the Mall. The event is led by Congressman John Joyce, MD, and is fully focused on health policy. The meeting kicks off with a breakfast then a

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

1

9

26

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

16 days

Amazon can own a hospital but a doctor can’t. Just think about that as you read this article. Time for reform. Repeal Section 6001 of the Affordable Care Act.

Tweet card media

Leaked documents reveal patient safety issues at Amazon’s One Medical

After One Medical began using a call center staffed by contractors with minimal training, patients with urgent symptoms failed to receive immediate help.

www.washingtonpost.com

0

8

28

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

20 days

I’ve said it several times… MA needs reform. There is significant waste and the cleanup process can create the necessary dollars to pay for needed reforms like physician updates consistent with inflation.

@awgaffney

Adam W Gaffney

21 days

Our article up today on the "Medicare Advantage Paradox" (MA), with @swoolhandler & David Himmelstein. Compared to traditional Medicare, MA is simultaneously *more* costly to the public, yet its enrollees receive *less* care. How? Brief 🧵: No paywall

Tweet media one

11

90

199

5

4

26

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

5 months

Thank you for continuing to beat this drum. I hope we can mark the end of your congressional career with a bill that ensures a long term fix to the continuous cuts physicians have taken over the last several decades

@michaelcburgess

Michael Burgess, MD

@michaelcburgess

5 months

The continuous reduction in physician reimbursement poses a significant threat to our health care system. We must remedy the fee schedule to ensure practices keep their doors open and American patients have access to quality, timely care.

17

48

164

0

5

25

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

You need to read this statement from US Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member @MikeCrapo on the challenges physicians are facing from a recent hearing on Medicare payment. If you have some time to listen to the entire committee hearing, please do!

Tweet card media

United States Senate Committee On Finance

Crapo Statement at Hearing on Medicare Clinician Payment Improvements

www.finance.senate.gov

2

7

25

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Thank you to Chairman Arrington for putting together this hearing. Everyone is in agreement… we must empower physicians to succeed in private practice and break down the monopolies working to inhibit our progress. Grateful for the leadership on both sides of the aisle in Budget!

@housebudgetGOP

House Budget GOP

@housebudgetGOP

1 month

Today, Chairman @RepArrington and the House Budget Committee will conduct a hearing on "Breaking Up Health Care Monopolies: Examining the Budgetary Effects of Health Care Consolidation." This hearing will focus on the budgetary impact of increasing health care consolidation and

5

13

40

0

9

23

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

This is what we were talking about with the @housebudgetGOP @HouseBudgetDems today. Everyone should listen. United and Optum want to be a monopoly and control every aspect of your care to return revenue to their shareholders.

@IWCoalition

Insurance Watchdog Coalition

1 month

Insurance Watchdog Coalition is working to educate Americans & elected officials on the dangers posed by Big Insurance. Healthcare monopolies, like UnitedHealth, are seeking to control doctors, sensitive personal health data, & access to life-saving care. We are here to hold

2

22

32

2

14

24

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Further studies showing consolidation is not helpful in any setting, even value based care. For ACOs, independent practices out performed other physician ownership/management arrangements.

Tweet card media

Medicare Accountable Care Organizations: Past Performance and Future Directions

Summary This Congressional Budget Office report summarizes recent research findings about Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs) and the factors that have contributed to or limited their...

6

6

24

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

In this picture you can see how much of the increased cost (over $80B per year) is coming from upcoding as outlined in the whistleblower lawsuit.

Tweet media one

2

5

21

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

10 months

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes today. I was fortunate to spend my birthday meeting about improving patient care and outcomes as well as an opportunity to play golf with a Navy SEAL. I finished it off with meeting one of my favorite influencers, Dr. Glaucomflecken.

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

1

2

18

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” - Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, 8/12/86 “The nine most terrifying words in the English language may be ‘I’m from your insurer, and I need prior

0

1

17

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Great to talk with Congressman McCormick this morning. He is an ER doctor and former marine pilot representing Georgia. Standing with me are orthopedic surgeons from across the country

Tweet media one

1

2

17

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

18 days

Had a wonderful time with our @AAOS1 delegation at the @AmerMedicalAssn annual meeting. Spoke up in favor of a No Surprises Act resolution and ensured that the voices of our patients and physicians were represented in the House of Delegates

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

Tweet media four

1

1

17

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

This bill is essential for the future of healthcare. Most Americans don’t know that doctors’ pay is tied to the federal budget, not the actual cost of providing care. It’s criminal. Hospitals and ASCs get annual increases based on cost of care unlike doctors. Fix this ASAP!

@EdGainesIII

Ed Gaines

1 year

This bi-partisan bill would link the #Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) and if enacted before this year would have meant a +3.8% increase in the MPFS instead of the -2.1% cut in '23. As sh…

6

22

94

0

5

16

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Podiatrists are pushing legislation in Texas that would mandate allowing privileges to perform procedures at hospitals. This upends a process designed to ensure patient safety. Look at this brochure showing they believe they are better trained than an orthopedic surgeon!

Tweet media one

7

6

16

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

11 months

#PriorAuthorization causes unnecessary delays in care for #MSK patients. @CMSGov and @HHSGov should finalize CMS-0057-P to advance interoperability and improve the process. Thank you @BrooksLaSureCMS for your efforts to #FixPriorAuth ! #OrthoAdvocacyinAction @AAOS1

Tweet media one

0

14

15

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

7 months

Thank you to the doc caucus for their hard work on incremental change to the Medicare payment system for physicians. We are still focused on substantial long term change, but this is the groundwork that must be laid @texmed @AmerMedicalAssn @AAOS1

@RepMMM

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.

7 months

I am proud that the “Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act” passed out of the @HouseCommerce committee. Read more here:

13

3

10

1

3

15

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Had the pleasure of meeting with @DutchRojas in Washington DC this week. Incredibly intelligent and outstanding voice for healthcare. Please make sure you follow him and stay informed on the intersections of quality, value, cost, and care.

@DutchRojas

Dutch Rojas

1 year

If you want to follow two passionate voices in healthcare I recommend you follow @DrBruggeman and @addysmomma23 These are two individuals that are leading the legislative charge in DC. I love people who are passionate about solving the challenges affordable and accessible

Tweet media one

4

4

26

0

2

14

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Proud to represent orthopedics today and attend my first AMA meeting. Together we can make a difference but apart we will be ineffective and allow medicine to be shaped by non-physicians.

Tweet media one

0

0

15

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

The team at @AAOS1 had me busy this week. When I wasn’t testifying, I met with Sens Blackburn and Cassidy and Reps Yakym, Balderson, Scalise, Miller-Meeks, Hern, D Joyce, Petterson, Pappas, and Kennedy. Your Association is hard at work! Get up and get involved!

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

Tweet media three

Tweet media four

0

0

14

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

@orthochick @nytimes @ChrisDHamby The irony here is that physician owned hospitals would save money for the healthcare system and in particular create competition for insurers to reduce their inpatient and outpatient hospital costs yet they refuse to support us in the fight. The public deserves to know the truth

1

2

14

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

Sounds exactly like what every self insured employer deals with when they contract with United. They think they’ve paid their bill only for MultiPlan and United to come back and extort additional amounts for “saving” them money from the original amount.

0

1

13

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Just released…. Our newest podcast. Click the link and learn more about the arguments for physician ownership of hospitals. Dr Blake Curd lays out the case so eloquently!

Tweet card media

‎AAOS Advocacy Podcast: Refuting the Argument Against Physician-Owned Hospitals on Apple Podcasts

‎Show AAOS Advocacy Podcast, Ep Refuting the Argument Against Physician-Owned Hospitals - May 16, 2023

podcasts.apple.com

0

2

13

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Time to get to work ensuring a world class healthcare system for the next generation. Beautiful day in DC. Met with several members and staffers yesterday and have meetings with many more today and tomorrow.

Tweet media one

0

0

13

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 years

In the last 24 hours we had a bill introduced to solve the nearly 5% cuts physicians face next year and the House passed the prior authorization reform bill today. Great momentum from a hard week of work. Lots of work still to do for long term solutions!

Tweet media one

1

3

7

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

I just heard two powerful addresses from @AmerMedicalAssn leaders, President @JackResneckMD and @CEO_AMA James L. Madara, MD. If you don't know about the AMA Recovery Plan for America's Physicians, get to know it -- they're #FightingForDocs . #AMAmtg

Tweet card media

Fighting for physicians

The AMA is your powerful ally, focused on addressing the issues important to you, so you can focus on what matters most—patients.

www.ama-assn.org

1

3

13

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Morning meetings with Congresswoman Dean’s staff and Congressman Bera’s staff. Lunch with Chairman Arrington and Congressman Burgess and Molinaro. Love that healthcare is bipartisan and patient care is a universal issue

Tweet media one

3

3

13

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

One final picture for the books. I am thankful for the great men who stand beside me as we work together for change in healthcare. Congressman Burgess is always gracious with his time and guidance.

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

0

2

12

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Great article on the potential upside and downside of AI in healthcare. AI has a tremendous opportunity in areas like prior authorization if done correctly. Unfortunately too much of the process is opaque, leading to a loss of trust by physicians and patients.

@bobjherman

Bob Herman

1 month

Health insurers love to proclaim how they are using artificial intelligence to speed up administrative tasks and "lower costs." But when @brittanytrang asked them to elaborate, many clammed up. The use of AI in health care is hardly transparent.

9

29

53

3

0

12

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

Incredible voice for medicine. Dr Burgess will be missed and the knowledge he has will be tough if not impossible to replace.

@michaelcburgess

Michael Burgess, MD

@michaelcburgess

2 months

I am honored to receive @texmed ’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. I am humbled and grateful for this recognition. Ensuring Texans have access to affordable health care is my top priority. Read more ⬇️

Tweet media one

4

3

18

0

4

12

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

11 months

It’s critical that we pass bills like the SAVE Act to ensure our healthcare workers are safe and protected in their offices

@813JAFERD

Damian Caraballo MD

11 months

“American health care workers now suffer more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than workers in any other profession, including law enforcement.”

5

69

164

0

1

10

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

@trollietrolly In many states there is a ban on the corporate practice of medicine which prevents the non-physician owner from making clinical decisions. The contracts will reflect that only clinical decisions are left to the physician but control over everything else is given to the employer

4

0

12

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

20 days

Congratulations to a good friend and fellow advocate for patients and physicians!

@texmed

Texas Medical Association

20 days

Great job, Zeke Silva III, MD, and congratulations for being elected to the AMA Council on Medical Service. #TMA

Tweet media one

2

5

25

0

1

11

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 month

Thankful to have been featured on the Becker’s Healthcare podcast. Have a listen as we talk about private practice and healthcare policy issues. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Becker’s Spine and ASC conference in June!

@BeckersHR

Becker's Hospital Review

1 month

Listen Here: In this episode, Dr. Adam J. Bruggeman, CEO and Founder at Texas Spine Care Center shares insights into his background, current solo practice trends he is following, current patient & provider advocacy initiatives he is excited about, & more.

0

0

1

0

2

11

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 months

@ZachJonesForTX They handle tricare data. Definitely possible if not likely military personnel healthcare data was stolen in the breach

3

2

11

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

2 years

Excited to be named advocacy chair for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons starting this March. Looking forward to many meetings in this building. Tomorrow we are on the Hill to advocate for our patients and fellow surgeons.

Tweet media one

2

1

11

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Make no mistake this will be expensive but the right answer is rarely cheap or easy. Doctors carried us through COVID, and we need to ensure we have doctors for the next crisis. Time for a long term fix from Congress.

Tweet card media

AMA Declares Payment Reform an 'Urgent' Priority

Delegates to hold leaders accountable for progress

www.medpagetoday.com

3

2

11

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

4 months

@txsportsdoc @generalorthomd @AAOS1 I’m here in DC this week and will be talking about it on behalf of you and every other member of AAOS. Everyone who has replied to this message needs to meet with their member of congress and tell them the story. It takes a village and everyone needs to chip in

3

1

10

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Secretary Becerra (HHS): Financial instability in the physician payment system is a “real threat to physicians”. CMS: let’s double down on physician payment cuts. This is unsustainable and a slap in the face to the men and women who put their lives on the line during COVID.

Tweet media one

3

3

10

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

3 months

@DrDeepMD @nytimes @ChrisDHamby @sidneyhaitoff Absolutely spot on…. Confusion is the name of the game

0

0

10

@DrBruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

1 year

Thankful for those who continue to fight for this cause. Senator Lankford penned this eye-opening OpEd which looks at a provision from the ACA that stifles competition and reduces access. Join me in the fight to preserve physician owned hospitals.

0

4

10