New Payment Models: The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, Merit-based Incentive Payment System, Advanced Alternative Payment Models, Bundling, Value-Based Care, Quadruple Aim, and Big Data: What Do They Mean for Otolaryngology?

New payment models have been introduced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to move medicine away from volume-based care toward value-based care. Most models focus on changes for primary care, but specialists like otolaryngologists are wise to familiarize themselves with this changing payment landscape to take advantage of the opportunities and avoid the pitfalls associated with each model.

Malpractice Woes: Here Is What You Should Do if You Get Sued.

This article relates the first-hand experience of a surgeon who faced 2 medical malpractice actions separated by 30 years and how each of those experiences affected him. The first episode occurred early in his career and caused anxiety, fear, and anger. The importance of getting support during a medical malpractice event, and the opportunities to do so, are discussed. The timeline of a typical medical malpractice lawsuit and phases of the litigation process are detailed. The authors provide guidance on how to make this process less stressful. The article summarizes medical malpractice lawsuits involving otolaryngologists.