Dear patients, colleagues and friends,
You may have seen Orthopedic Institute in the news recently. We wanted to take this opportunity to talk to you directly and clarify some things you may have questions about.
Avera Health Plans
Avera has been hiring orthopedic surgeons as employees for a couple of years after CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine decided that they could take better care of patients directly instead of being weighed down by the cost and bureaucracy of big medicine. CORE’s business relationship with Avera ended in 2016. In an effort to direct and restrict patients’ and doctors’ choice and to funnel patients to their own orthopedic group and thus their hospital and support services, they recently announced that Orthopedic Institute will no longer be “in-network” for their
employee
health plan. This does not apply to non-employee Avera health plan participants.
Orthopedic Institute is still “in-network” for all
non-employee
Avera health plan participants.
We strongly believe in individuals’ and referring providers’ right to choose who they feel will provide the best care, and we will continue to work to ensure as many people as possible have access to the healthcare team of their choice. We also are committed to outstanding value in care choices. We are committed to remaining the highest quality orthopedic option at the lowest cost for patients, insurance providers, and employers.
Our Building
Orthopedic Institute has leased our current office located at 810 E 23rd Street in Sioux Falls since it was built in 2000. Avera recently purchased the building from the Graham Group, an investment group from Iowa. This building has provided convenient access for patients and is close to the only 5-star hospital that provides orthopedic care in the region – Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital – and also to Avera McKennan Hospital.
The purchase of the building does not change our practice nor our plans and commitment to remain independent to better serve our patients and the physicians who have confidence and trust in us to provide the highest quality orthopedic care.
Our Team
Orthopedic Institute and CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have joined together because we share the same vision and dedication to our patients. On April 1, 2019 we were able to get everyone under one roof assembling the highest trained and broadest spectrum of orthopedic care in one location in this region. This partnership strengthens our position to remain independent in the face of increasing pressure from big hospital system medicine. This also allows us to broaden access to outstanding orthopedic care with 18 outreach locations across South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa. Our growing team is comprised of 17 orthopedic surgeons, 1 physiatrist and 1 pain physician representing the top training programs in the country such as the Mayo Clinic, Harvard and Johns Hopkins. Our team has a history of exceptional care and with strong ties to the community is positioned to remain
The One to Trust
for orthopedic care in this region.
Thank you for your continued confidence and allowing us the privilege of taking care of you, your family and your patients. If you have questions or concerns about these issues, please do not hesitate to contact us at (605)331-5890 or bring it up with us at your next appointment.
Sincerely,
