Here are 8 things for spinal surgeons to know for March 6, 2014.
1. Cervical total disc arthroplasty will get Category I CPT Code in 2015
The American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel gave two-level cervical total disc arthroplasty a Category I CPT code and revised the existing Category III CPT code to describe three or more level arthroplasty, according to a letter from North American Spine Society President William Watters, MD, to NASS members. The new codes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
2. NASS urges Congress to pass SGR repeal
The North American Spine Society announced support for the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014, which would repeal the current sustainable growth rate formula and create a merit-based incentive payment system that streamlines the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value Based Modifier and meaningful use into one program. The legislation would also eliminate penalties from these programs in 2018.
3. Biomet selected underwriters for IPO
Biomet's owners have selected Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase to lead the initial public offering later this year, according to a Reuters report. The offering could come in the first half of 2014 and raise more than $1 billion.
4. PLIF may result in higher incidence of revision spine surgery than PLF
An article published in the March issue of Spine examines the incidence and risk factors of adjacent segment disease requiring surgery among spinal fusion patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion. PLIF had 2.4 times higher incidence of adjacent segment disease requiring surgery than PLF.
5. NuVasive 4Q revenue reached $190.8 million
NuVasive announced that its revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 is $190.8 million, up from its revenue during the same period last year, $165.7 million. The company also announced its revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 — $685.17 million — up from the year ended Dec. 31, 2012, which resulted in revenues of $620.25 million.
6. Study asks: does industry funding impact quality of care?
The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine recently published a report examining opinions about the conflict of interest between physicians and industry-sponsored education. Most of the respondents also believed this relationship was ethical or had no opinion of surgeons who maintained these relationships. Respondents were largely in favor of educational conferences regardless of funding sources, but disclosure of these relationships was important as well.
7. AANS/CNS announced support for new trauma system bill
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons sent a letter to U.S. Congressmen Michael Burgess, MD, and Gene Green supporting the "Trauma System and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act," that would reauthorize programs that provide grants to states for planning, implementing and developing trauma care systems.
8. The global biomaterials market is expected to reach $88.4 billion by 2017
The global market was valued at $44 billion in 2012 and is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent from 2012 to 2017. North America is the largest biomaterial market in the world.
More Articles on Spine:
Anterior Spine Surgery for Disc Herniation at C7-T1: Outcomes Analysis
Orthopedic, Neurosurgeon Roles: Medical Teaching, Administrative & Research
Growing Patient Volume in 2014 & Beyond: 4 Spine Surgeon Initiatives
8 Things for Spine Surgeons to Know for Thursday — March 6
Here are 8 things for spinal surgeons to know for March 6, 2014.
1. Cervical total disc arthroplasty will get Category I CPT Code in 2015
The American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel gave two-level cervical total disc arthroplasty a Category I CPT code and revised the existing Category III CPT code to describe three or more level arthroplasty, according to a letter from North American Spine Society President William Watters, MD, to NASS members. The new codes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
2. NASS urges Congress to pass SGR repeal
The North American Spine Society announced support for the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014, which would repeal the current sustainable growth rate formula and create a merit-based incentive payment system that streamlines the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value Based Modifier and meaningful use into one program. The legislation would also eliminate penalties from these programs in 2018.
3. Biomet selected underwriters for IPO
Biomet's owners have selected Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase to lead the initial public offering later this year, according to a Reuters report. The offering could come in the first half of 2014 and raise more than $1 billion.
4. PLIF may result in higher incidence of revision spine surgery than PLF
An article published in the March issue of Spine examines the incidence and risk factors of adjacent segment disease requiring surgery among spinal fusion patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion. PLIF had 2.4 times higher incidence of adjacent segment disease requiring surgery than PLF.
5. NuVasive 4Q revenue reached $190.8 million
NuVasive announced that its revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 is $190.8 million, up from its revenue during the same period last year, $165.7 million. The company also announced its revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 — $685.17 million — up from the year ended Dec. 31, 2012, which resulted in revenues of $620.25 million.
6. Study asks: does industry funding impact quality of care?
The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine recently published a report examining opinions about the conflict of interest between physicians and industry-sponsored education. Most of the respondents also believed this relationship was ethical or had no opinion of surgeons who maintained these relationships. Respondents were largely in favor of educational conferences regardless of funding sources, but disclosure of these relationships was important as well.
7. AANS/CNS announced support for new trauma system bill
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons sent a letter to U.S. Congressmen Michael Burgess, MD, and Gene Green supporting the "Trauma System and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act," that would reauthorize programs that provide grants to states for planning, implementing and developing trauma care systems.
8. The global biomaterials market is expected to reach $88.4 billion by 2017
The global market was valued at $44 billion in 2012 and is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent from 2012 to 2017. North America is the largest biomaterial market in the world.
More Articles on Spine:
Anterior Spine Surgery for Disc Herniation at C7-T1: Outcomes Analysis
http://www.beckersspine.com/spine/item/19443-anterior-spine-surgery-for-disc-herniation-at-c7-t1-outcomes-analysis
Orthopedic, Neurosurgeon Roles: Medical Teaching, Administrative & Research
http://www.beckersspine.com/spine/item/19424-orthopedic-neurosurgeon-roles-medical-teaching-administrative-research
Growing Patient Volume in 2014 & Beyond: 4 Spine Surgeon Initiatives
http://www.beckersspine.com/spine/item/19415-growing-patient-volume-in-2014-beyond-4-spine-surgeon-initiatives