Over the past six weeks, TOA has updated you on its new relationship with AOPOC, which has created a low-cost patient outcomes measurement tool for orthopaedic surgeons.

If you would like to participate in TOA’s effort with AOPOC, please notify TOA (Bobby@toa.org). TOA is negotiating a special rate for TOA members to participate. While we do not expect the final details, we are expecting a monthly cost of $75/per orthopaedic surgeon/month and a nominal one-time set-up fee of approximately $150 per orthopaedic surgeon.

By participating in AOPOC through TOA, Texas orthopaedic surgeons will have the following benefits:

• TOA is able to negotiate a volume discount for Texas orthopaedic surgeons.
• TOA members who participate will have access to the aggregate Texas data and have the ability to benchmark themselves against other Texas orthopaedic surgeons.
• Because the AOPOC tool is new, it is not recognized as a qualified registry at the moment. However, once it reaches the threshold of 50 participants, the registry will be able to submit its application to serve as a qualified registry for meaningful use when the next open period to apply begins in January 2017.

The AOPOC board members believe that the registry will meet all of the requirements set forth in meaningful use. The tool focuses on PROMIS measures. TOA will begin with PROMIS measures. However, if Texas orthopaedic surgeons would like to add additional measures, the AOPOC tool has the ability to do so.

TOA members are invited to learn more about the patient outcomes tool at TOA’s April 7-9, 2016 annual conference at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines. TOA welcomes your feedback and suggestions.