T.K. Miller, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with Carilion Clinic Orthopedics and the medical director of the Roanoke (Va.) Ambulatory Surgery Center. He specializes in knee treatment, shoulder problems and sports medicine.
Board certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Miller also serves as an associate professor in the department of surgery at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also completed his internship. Dr. Miller completed his residency at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh and a fellowship in sports medicine at Hughston Sports Medicine Hospital.
In an interview with Becker's ASC Review, Dr. Miller said that orthopedic-driven surgery centers may no longer enjoy insurance contracts that accept the costs of implants as dictated by suppliers. There is sufficient overlap in the orthopedic implant market, he said, that it is possible to select a primary implant vendor and negotiate reduced costs based on that relationship. This requires consensus from ASC physicians and careful ongoing assessment of case costs on the part of the ASC administrator. "For orthopedic- and spine-based centers, this will be an area of significant change from the status quo," he said, adding that surgery centers must assess every new implant for a "traditional" procedure for cost feasibility. New implants and old implants may be similar, but that does not necessarily mean they cost the same amount.
Board certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Miller also serves as an associate professor in the department of surgery at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also completed his internship. Dr. Miller completed his residency at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh and a fellowship in sports medicine at Hughston Sports Medicine Hospital.In an interview with Becker's ASC Review, Dr. Miller said that orthopedic-driven surgery centers may no longer enjoy insurance contracts that accept the costs of implants as dictated by suppliers. There is sufficient overlap in the orthopedic implant market, he said, that it is possible to select a primary implant vendor and negotiate reduced costs based on that relationship. This requires consensus from ASC physicians and careful ongoing assessment of case costs on the part of the ASC administrator. "For orthopedic- and spine-based centers, this will be an area of significant change from the status quo," he said, adding that surgery centers must assess every new implant for a "traditional" procedure for cost feasibility. New implants and old implants may be similar, but that does not necessarily mean they cost the same amount.