To help set a path for access to better healthcare around our Northeastern Wisconsin communities, and around the country, Sandy Fragale, CEO of OSMS, joins the Board of Directors for OrthoForum Value Network (OVN). OVN is a network of 5,500 independent musculoskeletal physicians and providers across the nation working vigorously to help provide employers and patients with quick access to affordable, high-quality healthcare within their local areas.

The OVN Board of Directors are responsible for creating visions and strategies to help brokers, insurers, and employers have easy access to musculoskeletal healthcare through one single signature. The group is taking the pressure off employers by helping them find premium care for their employees that will not only save them, and their company money on healthcare costs, but will also streamline their care by providing them with appropriate appointments within a timely manner.

Recent studies have shown that as the cost of healthcare continues to increase, quality of healthcare is impacted negatively; and the cause is hospital mergers and acquisitions. “Competition in healthcare is good – it is healthy – and mergers not only limit competition, but it also impacts patient experience and access to healthcare,” explains Sandy Fragale.

OVN, and the independent practices partnered with them, including OSMS, are passionate about being the change in healthcare, making it more affordable for everyday people, while not sacrificing the quality of care everyone deserves. Specific criteria and quality metrics must be met for these independent practices, so the vision they set is upheld.

“We know that something needs to change with the cost and quality of healthcare. OSMS, along with the OrthoForum Value Network, is that change”, describes Fragale. “OSMS prides itself in exceptional patient satisfaction and providing access to outstanding care – which is lacked in healthcare today”.

Too often patients are kept waiting weeks to be seen for musculoskeletal care. The independent groups at OVN know the importance of access and appropriateness. Because most insurance plans do not require a referral, patients can save time by getting the right care, from the right specialty doctor, at the right time.

Fragale states, “Patients should have access to any healthcare organization they want to seek care from, regardless of where their primary care is. People want to see the best physicians for their unique needs and situations, and they need to know they have a choice in that matter.”

Although the state of healthcare can be daunting, OSMS and independent practices of the OrthoForum Value Network have made it their mission to lead the way in inspiring transformation in healthcare to make it less stressful and easier to navigate in many regards.