5-Minute Summary: Trends in Orthopedic Surgeons Signing Medicare Opt-Out Affidavits

Medicare reimbursement cuts and increasing administrative burdens have contributed to a growing number of physicians opting out of the program, with orthopedic surgeons disproportionately affected due to their patient population, procedural volume, and operational costs. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze (1) trends in the incidence of orthopedic surgeons opting out of Medicare, (2) the demographic and professional characteristics of those opting out, (3) the geographic distribution of opt-outs, and (4) provider characteristics associated with the timing of opt-outs among orthopedic surgeons.