Here are seven things for spinal surgeons to know for March 13, 2014.
1. Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion was given a Category I CPT Code
The American Medical Association's CPT Editorial Panel voted to establish a Category I CPT Code for MIS SI joint fusion and deleted the current Category III CPT code to describe percutaneous/minimally invasive sacroiliac joint arthrodesis, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
2. Biomet filed for an IPO of up to $100 million
Biomet filed with U.S. regulators for an initial public offering of its common shares of up to $100 million, according to a Reuters report. The company has selected Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase to lead the IPO.
3. James Weinstein, DO, received the OREF Clinical Research Award
Dr. Weinstein and his team were given the award for their work with the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial at the American Academy Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting. Dr. Weinstein is president and CEO of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System.
4. Sanford Health establishes personalized wellness program for spine patients
The program — the Sanford Center for Spine Success — offers patients individualized treatment plans with a multidisciplinary team. The program aims at providing a better patient experience before and after the procedure.
5. Study shows scoliosis surgery improves quality, is cost-effective
A study published in Spine recently examined the cost and value of spinal deformity surgery. The studies showed a trend toward quality of life improvement among adults who underwent surgery for scoliosis.
6. FDA approves Ellipse Technologies' MAGEC Spinal Bracing & Distraction System
The MAGEC system is a growth-friendly solution for pediatric patients with severe progressive spinal deformities associated with thoracic insufficiency syndrome. The system has been used by more than 150 surgeons in 24 countries, thus far.
7. NASS participated in the National Day of Action to Repeal the SGR
The North American Spine Society participated in the National Day of Action to Repeal the SGR to urge congressional representatives to enact a permanent solution to the sustainable growth rate. If additional legislation isn't passed by April 1 physicians face a nearly 25 percent pay cut for Medicare patients.
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