HCSC/BCBSIL’s draft policy is moderately onerous in the sense that most indications for a spinal fusion are still covered. The areas where lumbar spinal fusions procedures “are not considered medically necessary” include patients where the sole indication is a disc herniation or neuro structure compression (initial discectomy/laminectomy) “as well as” degenerative...

Earlier this week, HCSC, the parent corporation for Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, issued a new draft policy for Lumbar Spinal Fusions. Concerns have been raised that this new policy rules out access to lumbar fusion for patients where the sole indication is a disc herniation or neurostructure compression...

ISASS President Steven Garfin, MD, has written a response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division of Outpatient care regarding agency considering the removal of cervical disc arthroplasty from the Medicare “Inpatient Only” list. The letter is copied below and is also available in PDF format. Download PDF Version >>   April 20,...

Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) Proposed Research Title for the Topic: Spinal Fusion for Painful Lumbar Degenerative Disc or Joint Disease Comments submitted on behalf of International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) Jean Charles LeHuec, MD, PhD – President 2323 Cheshire Drive, Suite 101 Aurora, IL 60502 630-995-9994 www.isass.org Introductory...