Questions & Answers for Eastern Orthopaedics Patients

Click on a question below to see the answer.

Why merge Wellington and Eastern Orthopaedics?

Because it's a win-win-win for our practices, our patients and our community.

Both practices have excellent physicians and solid reputations in Greater Cincinnati, particularly on Cincinnati's east side. Merger of these two medical practices will allow the physicians and staff to focus their combined resources to maintain and enhance the high quality of musculoskeletal care delivered by Eastern and Wellington physicians.

The merged practice will be Cincinnati's largest musculoskeletal specialty group, providing service to patients in every aspect of musculoskeletal care.

The merger will allow the physicians to:

  • Work together to serve area hospitals for emergency room consultation and after-hours call support.
  • Improve both groups' ability to recruit and retain the highest quality physicians in the Greater Cincinnati area.
  • Collaborate in delivering high-quality ancillary services such as physical therapy and diagnostic imaging services.
  • Collaborate to invest efficiently in new technology such as electronic medical records and digital radiology systems.
  • Create a unified business structure to provide maximum efficiency for practice support functions such as scheduling, billing, medical records, accounting, purchasing, and information systems.

Back to list of questions
 

When will the merger be effective?

The merger was effective January 1, 2006

Back to list of questions
 

How many physicians will be included in the merged practice?

The merged practices will include 29 practicing physicians (and 2 emeritus physicians: Dr. Robert Heidt Sr. and Dr. Edward Miller), covering every aspect of musculoskeletal care, including:

  • Hand & wrist
  • Foot & ankle
  • Spine care
  • Sports medicine
  • Joint replacement/reconstruction and arthritis care
  • Bone and soft tissue tumors

Please see our complete list of physicians.

Back to list of questions
 

What is the name of the merged practice?

On January 1, 2006, Eastern Orthopaedics physicians became members of the Wellington practice.

While Eastern Orthopaedics enjoys a high level of community confidence and equity, we have agreed that the practice name will transition to Wellington Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine to communicate our new partnership and leverage the impact of our new combined organization.

Back to list of questions
 

How will this merger impact patients of Wellington and Eastern physicians?

Patients will see a smooth transition and experience very little impact. They will continue to receive the same excellent care from their Eastern/Wellington physician at the same convenient locations. Also, their insurance coverage should be largely unaffected as Wellington and Eastern physicians expect to continue participation in most local insurance networks.

Back to list of questions
 

How will the merger impact participation in insurance networks and overall relationship with insurers?

Wellington and Eastern physicians expect to continue participation in most local insurance networks. (Wellington is currently not a provider in Aetna networks and Anthem Senior Advantage.)

Our physicians work collaboratively with our insurance partners to provide evidence of the high-quality, cost-effective care delivered to patients, and to secure reasonable reimbursement for the services which we provide.

Back to list of questions
 

How does this merger impact hospitals?

Eastern and Wellington physicians provide treatment to patients at most Cincinnati area hospitals and many outpatient surgery centers. Our physicians will continue their active roles in the local hospital community.

Back to list of questions