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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANTS
8365 Keystone Crossing
Suite 107
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(800) 280-2390
(317) 205-9481 Fax
asopa@hp-assoc.com

 Last modified on 1/16/08

TESTIMONIALS

I strongly encourage the use of qualified OPA-Cs. We have several in our office. They are very qualified and help deliver health care in a cost-efficent manner. Currently, we have experienced difficulties by not getting reimbursement from Medicare or Medicaid. This decreases the use of these individuals, often leading to assistance from other surgeons, which is more expensive and directs their time away from seeing their own patients. I feel it would be very prudent for the "powers that be" to arrange for reimbursing f physician assistant services.

Mitchell T. Copeland, D.O.
Western Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Grand Junction, CO

I'm an orthopedic surgeon practicing primarily sports medicine and further sub-specialize in shoulder surgery. I've been in practice for 8 years and have enjoyed an association with a very skilled orthopaedic physician's assistant for the last six of those years. My assistant has been invaluable to my practice in many ways. He facilitate the management of our patients in the office by performing initial evaluations, scheduling surgeries, doing patient education and troubleshooting patient problems. He is also extremely helpful in surgery where he assists on all of my cases. He's able to increase my efficiency tremdendously by providing expert assistance during the surgery as well as performing closures which allows me to spend more time with the patient's families updating them on the results of surgery and giving them instructions on postoperative care. My OPA has increased my efficiency and thereby increased the profitability of my practice as a business. I highly recomment all surgeons to consider hiring OPA's as part of their practice as well.

Peter L. Sallay, M.D.
Methodist Sports Medicine Center
Indianapolis, IN

It has come to my attention that the American Society of Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistants is again trying to document support for legislation reimbursing the services of orthopaedic physician’s assistants. Mr. Jason Mazza, OPA-C, SA-C has been working directly with my patients since 1996. He has become an intricate part of my practice. He has an excellent fund of knowledge that allows him to facilitate patient care activities for the orthopaedic patients. Under my direct supervision, he has aided in the collating of data the interviewing of patients, and presentation of laboratories and radiographic findings. With his assistance, I have been able to provide patient care to a significant number of patients. It is my opinion that without Mr. Jason Mazza’s help, I would not be able to provide the volume of care necessary for an aging population.

In my opinion, the orthopaedic physician assistant becomes a valuable facilitator in the delivery to our growing population here in Florida. During the time that Mr. Mazza has been under my employment, I have seen him continually educate himself on the various facets of orthopaedic care. His National Association also encourages continued education for the Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistants. In my opinion, orthopaedic physician’s assistants provide a service to the population they should be reimbursed by the medical system. They provide a valuable service to our health care continuum, and their expertise is a cost-effective means to deliver care to our patient population.

One function that has been very helpful to me is the use of Mr. Jason Mazza’s services in the operating room. Over time he has gained tremendous experience and skill in assisting my surgical endeavors. In my opinion, the use of orthopaedic physician’s assistants is a most cost effective means to provide surgical assistance to a physician without requiring a compensation of an assistant surgeon. I do think that the HCFA and the Medicare task groups should look at the cost effectiveness of using physician extenders, such as orthopaedic physician’s assistants to aide in the treatment and cost effective delivery of surgical care.

John H. Shim. M.D.
Florida Spinal Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine Center
New Port Richey, FL