Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary

Episode: Dr. Brett Shore, President & CEO at Shore Orthopedics
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Host: Grace Lynn Keller

Introduction to Dr. Brett Shore

In this episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Grace Lynn Keller welcomes Dr. Brett Shore, an esteemed orthopedic surgeon and the President & CEO of Shore Orthopedics. Recording live at the 22nd annual Spine Orthopedic and Pain Management Conference, Dr. Shore provides an in-depth look into his professional journey and the operations of his organization.

"I'm the president and CEO of Shore Orthopaedics." (00:54)

Industry Trends and Shifts

Dr. Shore highlights significant trends reshaping the healthcare landscape, particularly within orthopedic surgery centers.

• Partnerships Between Surgery Centers and Payers:
  Dr. Shore observes a growing trend of collaborations aimed at reducing healthcare costs for both patients and insurers while maximizing value.

  "There's a formation of partnerships between some of the surgery centers and the payers... to minimize healthcare costs both for the patient and for the insurer." (01:58)

• Shift to Ambulatory Settings:
  A notable shift from inpatient to outpatient procedures is underway. Dr. Shore reminisces about longer hospital stays during his training years compared to the current preference for same-day discharges.

  "Many of those surgeries either done as 23-hour OBS or same day discharges." (02:15)

Staffing and Workforce Challenges

Addressing the pervasive staffing issues in healthcare, Dr. Shore shares strategies his organization employs to navigate these challenges.

• Anesthesia Providers Shortage:
  The changing landscape in anesthesia availability and reimbursement poses significant challenges. Dr. Shore emphasizes the critical role of high-quality anesthesia care in maintaining efficient and profitable surgery centers.

  "One of the keys in maintaining and running an efficient, safe and profitable surgery center is high quality anesthesia care." (03:10)

• Strategic Hiring Practices:
  By focusing on recruiting well-trained anesthesiologists, Shore Orthopedics ensures the delivery of superior patient care despite the competitive market.

The Evolving Role of Orthopedics in Outpatient Care

Dr. Shore discusses how orthopedics is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to outpatient settings within the broader healthcare ecosystem.

• Suitability for Outpatient Procedures:
  Orthopedic surgeries often involve high-risk procedures with significant blood loss. However, advancements in minimally invasive techniques and blood management have made many of these surgeries viable in ambulatory settings.

  "Orthopedics is in some ways going to be a leader and a pioneer, I think, in bringing the majority of surgeries into the ambulatory setting." (04:39)

• Impact on Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Costs:
  Moving surgeries to outpatient facilities not only enhances patient recovery experiences but also contributes to substantial cost savings by reducing the need for inpatient stays.

Innovations and Promising Initiatives

Exploring the forefront of healthcare innovation, Dr. Shore identifies key initiatives that hold promise for improving efficiency and patient outcomes.

• Collaborative Partnerships:
  Successful partnerships between surgery centers and insurance providers can deliver safe, effective, and cost-efficient care while enhancing physician reimbursement.

  "When you can check all those boxes, then it ends up being, I think, a really promising development in the ambulatory surgery model." (05:55)

Navigating Medicare Challenges in Ambulatory Surgery

In the final segment, Dr. Shore addresses the complexities Medicare introduces to ambulatory surgery centers.

• Diverse Reimbursement Rates:
  While some procedures receive favorable reimbursement from Medicare, others do not, presenting a strategic challenge for surgery centers.

  "Understanding how to incorporate or choosing not to incorporate Medicare into the ambulatory model... is going to be critical for the success of surgery centers going forward." (06:42)

• Future of Medicare Reimbursements:
  With limited prospects for increased Medicare reimbursement rates, surgery centers must carefully evaluate their participation to ensure financial viability.

Conclusion

Dr. Brett Shore provides valuable insights into the dynamic field of orthopedic surgery within the U.S. healthcare system. From strategic partnerships and staffing solutions to the pivotal role of orthopedics in outpatient care and navigating Medicare's complexities, his expertise offers a comprehensive overview for healthcare leaders aiming to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Notable Quotes:

• "High quality anesthesia care is... a key in maintaining and running an efficient, safe and profitable surgery center." – Dr. Brett Shore (03:10)
• "Orthopedics is... going to be a leader and a pioneer... in bringing the majority of surgeries into the ambulatory setting." – Dr. Brett Shore (04:39)
• "Understanding how to incorporate or choosing not to incorporate Medicare... is going to be critical for the success of surgery centers." – Dr. Brett Shore (06:42)

For more episodes and insights, visit Becker's Healthcare Podcast.