On February 20, ISASS submitted comments to Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) regarding its technology review on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Pain, specifically related to minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion (MIS SIJ fusion) surgery. ISASS expressed concern with several conclusions of the evidence review and asked to provide further input prior to BCBSA’s n...

News and noteworthy information for January 2017: A Closer Look at Biomechanical Device Coding MACRA/QPP Survey Global Surgery Data Collection Program Finalized Judge Blocks Aetna-Humana Merger Price Testifies at Senate Confirmation Hearings ICD-10 Code Updates and Impact to PQRS FDA Reclassifies Pedicle Screw Systems   A Closer Look at Biomechanical Device Coding Effective January 1,...

On January 31, ISASS submitted comments to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) regarding two sets of coding edits, one set implemented in September 2015 and another set scheduled for implementation on March 1, 2017. The coding edits bundle: laminectomy codes 63042, 63047 and 63048 with lumbar fusion codes 22630 and 22633 additional level posterior/posterolateral fusion...

Code Change Requests Coding Cycle Code changes for all medical specialties take effect on January 1 annually as a result of the CPT Editorial Panel process. The American Medical Association (AMA) is responsible for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and has convened the CPT Editorial Panel to develop and maintain the nomenclature healthcare providers use to...