American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Partners with Callagy Recovery for No Surprises Act

American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Partners with Callagy Recovery for No Surprises Act Support as Healthcare Association Movement Grows

AAOE delivers members specialized arbitration expertise as medical associations nationwide formalize partnerships with Callagy Recovery

Rosemont, IL — Orthopaedic practice executives now have direct access to specialized No Surprises Act arbitration expertise following a strategic partnership between the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives and Callagy Recovery. The announcement positions AAOE among a rapidly expanding group of medical associations nationwide that are formalizing partnerships to provide members with sophisticated federal arbitration support.

Callagy Recovery now works with 13 healthcare associations and is in active conversations with dozens more, reflecting accelerating momentum as organized medicine mobilizes to ensure members can fully access federal arbitration protections. What began as isolated partnerships has evolved into a coordinated movement, with associations representing hundreds of thousands of physicians and healthcare executives stepping forward to formalize relationships that deliver turnkey arbitration expertise without upfront cost or administrative burden.

Enacted in 2022, the No Surprises Act created a federal arbitration pathway for resolving payment disputes between insurers and providers. But the process is brutally complex, technical, deadline intensive, and operationally demanding. Industry data suggests massive volumes of eligible claims go unfiled each year simply because practices lack the specialized infrastructure to pursue them.

That's changing. Medical associations are stepping in, formalizing partnerships that give members turnkey access to arbitration expertise without upfront cost or administrative burden. AAOE's decision to join this movement signals recognition that NSA arbitration support isn't optional anymore, it's foundational.

"Orthopaedic practice executives are navigating one of the most challenging reimbursement environments in modern healthcare history," said Andrea Allyn, MBA, LAT, Director Orthopedic Care Services, Heartland Orthopaedic Specialists and AAOE President. "This partnership reflects our commitment to equipping our members with best-in-class resources that reduce administrative burden while maximizing their ability to recover what they've rightfully earned under federal law. Our members benefit from proven infrastructure, specialized expertise, and a track record of results that speaks for itself."

The numbers tell the story. Callagy Recovery currently manages thousands of IDR arbitration cases per month. In December 2025, providers represented by the firm secured over $100 million in NSA related arbitration awards. Across all healthcare focused entities founded by Sean Callagy, more than $1.4 billion has been recovered for providers nationwide allowing resources to flow directly back into patient care, staffing, technology, and operational stability.

"What we're witnessing is a fundamental shift in how medical associations support their members," said Fernando Valencia, Chief Revenue Officer of Callagy Recovery. "Associations are recognizing that providing access to specialized NSA arbitration expertise isn't just a value add, it's essential infrastructure. The growing number of partnerships we're formalizing reflects a clear pattern: organized medicine is mobilizing to ensure physicians and healthcare executives can fully access the statutory protections Congress intended."

Sean Callagy founded Callagy Recovery on a foundation of advocacy, mastery, and integrity. He is one of only two attorneys in the United States to achieve two Top 100 National Jury Verdicts and is the only legally blind attorney in the country to earn that distinction. He is the founder of Callagy Recovery, Callagy Law, Integrous Financial, Unblinded, the Callagy Institute for Doctorpreneurs, and ACTi Actualized Intelligence.

Beyond arbitration services, Callagy Recovery's commitment to physician welfare extends through the Callagy Institute for Doctorpreneurs, a nonprofit organization funded by a portion of the firm's contingency fees. The Institute focuses on improving the lives of physicians through education, resources, and support that address the unique challenges healthcare providers face in today's complex environment. This structure ensures that every successful arbitration outcome contributes not only to individual provider recovery but also to systemic improvements across the physician community.

"Orthopaedic practices are essential to musculoskeletal care in this country," said Sean Callagy. "This partnership ensures AAOE members have the infrastructure, the expertise, and the advocacy to pursue fair reimbursement at scale, so practice executives can focus on what they do best: running exceptional organizations that deliver life-changing care. When organizations like AAOE step forward and say our members deserve every protection Congress established under federal law, it creates momentum across the entire healthcare landscape."

The financial model removes barriers. Callagy Recovery operates entirely on contingency, advancing 100 percent of federal arbitration filing fees and receiving compensation only upon successful recovery. For orthopaedic practices already managing tight margins and complex operations, this structure provides access to sophisticated arbitration capabilities without adding budget pressure or upfront cost.

Through this partnership, AAOE members gain access to NSA arbitration support that operates entirely between insurers and providers. Patients are never involved and are not affected in any way. The process complements existing revenue cycle operations rather than replacing them, ensuring practices can fully utilize statutory protections established under federal law without disrupting current workflows.

As medical associations nationwide formalize similar partnerships, a pattern is emerging: organized medicine is mobilizing to ensure healthcare providers can fully access the protections Congress established under the No Surprises Act. AAOE's partnership reflects this broader movement and establishes a framework that supports both immediate financial recovery and long-term sustainability for orthopaedic practice executives nationwide.

AAOE members interested in learning more about how the No Surprises Act arbitration process may apply to their practices are encouraged to contact Kandice Williams at kandice.williams@callagyrecovery.com.

About the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives

The American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives provides advocacy, networking, education, and resources for the profession of orthopedic and musculoskeletal healthcare.

About Callagy Recovery

Callagy Recovery is a national firm focused exclusively on No Surprises Act Independent Dispute Resolution arbitration for out-of-network healthcare claims, operating on a contingency model with no upfront costs to providers or health systems.