Medicare reimbursement and orthopedic surgery: past, present, and future

Purpose of review This paper reviews the history and structure of Medicare reimbursement with a focus on aspects relevant to the field of orthopedic surgery. Namely, this includes Parts A and B, with particular attention paid to the origins of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) and the physician fee schedule, respectively. We then review newer policies affecting orthopedic surgeons.