The 2022 Health Policy Fellowship application is now closed
Congratulations to our recipient:
Ravi Vaswani, M.D.
The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) exists to promote, encourage and support the development and dissemination of knowledge in the discipline of arthroscopic surgery. AANA's goal is to improve upon the science and art of arthroscopy and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system.
The goal of the Advocacy Committee (HPP) is to provide comprehensive and timely analysis of health policy issues for patients and physicians. The past decade has witnessed tremendous change in the reimbursement and regulation of musculoskeletal healthcare. The future promises even greater change. It is essential for AANA to be more pro-active in influencing the legislative and regulatory forces effecting this change. The areas requiring special attention are those which affect treatment guidelines, compensation models and assessment of quality of care. AANA has determined the need to engage members early in their careers to develop strategies to influence the national discussion on healthcare to insure continued patient access to high-quality arthroscopic care.
In keeping with this mission of advocacy, AANA has determined it necessary to create a Health Policy Fellowship (HPF) program. The HPF seeks to develop and engage the membership in this active agenda.
Program Goals
The goal of this fellowship program is to provide a two-year period of exposure, training, and skill development to prepare the fellow for a leadership role in the advocacy efforts of AANA in the healthcare policy arena.
Eligibility Requirements
The AANA HP Fellowship is open to orthopedic surgeons in the United States who have completed a certified arthroscopy and/or sports medicine fellowship and who are AANA members. Any AANA member in good standing is eligible but preference will be given to those candidates who are within 5 years of finishing their fellowship. Prior experience in areas of Health Policy or Health Care Economics is advantageous but not required.
Application Process
Applications for the Health Policy Fellowship are accepted in the spring each year.
A complete application will include:
- Submission of a personal statement.
- Letters of support and approval from the Director of the applicant's Arthroscopy/Sports Medicine Fellowship for current fellows.
- For practicing post-graduate applicants, two letters of support from AANA members who have in-depth knowledge of the applicant's practice and advocacy interest are required.
AANA Health Policy Fellowship Model
The AANA Health Policy Fellowship will be a two-year program that will provide exposure to the various legislative and regulatory organizations that impact the delivery of care for patients treated with arthroscopic surgery. The following National Health Policy and Advocacy Meetings will be part of the Fellowship Program over a two-year period:
- AAOS Coding, Coverage and Reimbursement Committee
- AMA RUC Meeting
- AMA CPT Advisory and Editorial Panels
- National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference
- BOS/Board of Councilors Fall Meeting
- AANA Annual Meeting and AANA Board Meeting
- Visits to the AAOS Washington and Rosemont offices
- Participate in the AANA HPP conference calls and HPP meetings
- Joint activity with AAHKS and AAOS Health Policy Fellows in Washington, DC
- Other forums as deemed significant to the mission of AANA and determined by the HPP and/or BOD
Mentorship of the Fellow will be by the AANA HPP Committee Chair, AANA Health Policy Committee, and other AANA members with an interest in health policy matters. One specific AANA member will be chosen to mentor each fellow and will guide the fellow through the exposure and training process. The mentor will also serve as a research advisor and coauthor for the fellow's research project.
Applications will be reviewed by the HPP in April/May and the selected fellow will be approved by the AANA Health policy and Practice Committee. Their fellowship will commence at the Annual Meeting.
The HP Fellow will choose a research topic and will be expected to present the results of that project to the membership at the Annual Meeting. The project should be of a quality suitable for publication in Arthroscopy.
Funding
AANA will fund the HP Fellow for two years for travel, hotel and other expenses that would result from his/her attendance at key health policy and advocacy events that are part of the Fellowship Program. The amount of $10,000 for this two-year cycle is funded by an AANA Education Foundation grant.