AAOE Brings Orthopedic Practice Priorities to Capitol Hill

On September 29 and 30, AAOE leaders and members traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) and a joint AAOE-OrthoForum Capitol Hill Day. Together, these events gave AAOE members an important opportunity to collaborate with partners across the orthopedic community and speak directly with congressional offices about policies affecting AAOE members.

During the joint Hill Day, AAOE and OrthoForum met with influential congressional offices, committee, and caucus staffers, including:

• The GOP Doctors Caucus
• The Democratic Doctors Caucus
• Speaker Mike Johnson
• The majority and minority staffs of the House Ways and Means Committee
• The minority staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
• Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA), a senior Ways and Means member positioned to potentially assume a committee leadership role
• The Senate Finance Committee majority staff
• Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee
   

In each meeting, AAOE highlighted immediate threats facing orthopedic practices under the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The meetings focused on CMS’ 2027 PFS proposals that will lead to reimbursement cuts if finalized this year, which include proposed reductions in work relative value units for major hip, knee, and shoulder replacement procedures and payment reductions associated with Modifier 25. AAOE members shared real-world examples of how broad payment reductions could affect orthopedic practices across sites of service, accelerate consolidation, and create additional barriers for Medicare patients seeking musculoskeletal care.

The discussions also addressed the need for longer-term Medicare payment reform, including a more stable conversion factor and changes to budget-neutrality policies that repeatedly cause payment reductions for physicians. The groups discussed potential year-end legislative opportunities and offered AAOE members as ongoing resources for congressional offices working on these issues.

Advocacy is About More Than One Visit

The timing of this year’s advocacy effort was especially important. Congressional decisions made during the closing months of the year could determine whether significant orthopedic payment reductions take effect in 2027. Congressional offices need to hear how those policies would affect practice operations, workforce stability, patient access, and the continued viability of orthopedic care.

NOLC and the joint Hill Day also demonstrated the importance of coalition building. By working alongside OrthoForum and engaging with partners such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), AAOE was able to reinforce shared priorities while bringing the distinct operational perspective of orthopedic practice executives to the conversation. A coordinated message from physicians, practice leaders, and other members of the orthopedic community carries greater weight than any organization advocating alone.

Just as important are the relationships built through these meetings. Effective advocacy depends on trusted connections with congressional members and staff who understand the challenges facing orthopedic practices and know whom to contact when related issues arise. By serving as a practical, credible resource, AAOE can help ensure that the practice-management perspective is considered as Congress evaluates both immediate payment concerns and broader Medicare reforms.

AAOE will continue working with its members and coalition partners to protect patient access, strengthen independent orthopedic practices, and advance a more predictable and sustainable Medicare payment system.

Check out photos from the events here: NOLC 2026 by AAOE 
Get involved: Public Policy - American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives 

“Advocacy extends well beyond visiting legislative offices. It includes educating stakeholders on key issues, monitoring legislative and regulatory developments that may affect patient care, and building alliances and networks that strengthen our collective ability to represent patients, clinicians, and healthcare organizations. By working together, sharing knowledge, and aligning our efforts, we expand our reach and increase our potential to influence meaningful change. Meeting with legislators and participating in the conversation remain essential. Our perspectives deserve to be heard, and having a voice at the table is always better than remaining silent.”

Paul Bruning, DHA, Division Administrator, AAOE 2026-2027 President-Elect, Duke University

“NOLC brought together orthopedic surgeons and practice leaders from a range of associations, ownership models, and locations across our states to deliver a unified message on how the proposed changes will affect us all, and to show that coordinated advocacy carries far more weight than any one organization speaking alone.” 

Andrea Nelson, MBA, LAT, Director Orthopedic Care Services, AAOE 2026-2027 Past President, Heartland Orthopedic Specialists - A Service of Alomere Health

“The bigger picture here is that these policies would reduce orthopedic Medicare payment by roughly 7% in 2027, on top of decades of inflation-adjusted decline. These cuts should not be viewed in isolation. Their cumulative effect threatens patient access, accelerates consolidation, and pushes care toward higher-cost settings. If we want physicians to remain independent and continue providing care in lower-cost settings, Medicare payment policy should not make that progressively harder. We as a collaborative, through the actions of advocacy, must defend not only those we care for, but those who provide the care.”

Ross Rigdon, Chief Operations Officer, AAOE 2026-2027 Treasurer, Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic

“As orthopedic health care administrators, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for physicians and patients while understanding the operating environment of our practices. It is important that we partner with like-minded organizations to share this knowledge with our legislators to drive positive innovations and initiatives. I enjoyed sitting at the table with the AAOS and OrthoForum surgeons who provided the clinical perspective and with the added experience of the OrthoForum executives.”

Lisa Warren, CPC, MSHA/MBA, Chief Executive Officer, AAOE 2026-2027 Member-at-Large, Andrew Sports Medicine