On July 6, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System policy changes, quality provisions, and payment rates proposed rule. CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule through September 6, 2016. The final rule is expected to...

On July 7, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that updates payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2017. The PFS pays for services furnished by physicians and other practitioners in all sites...

ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (July 2016) Updated July 5, 2016 (This supplements the ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (2014)) A PDF version of the policy statement is available here. Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS Neuro-Spine Solutions, Bristol, TN   Rationale The index 2014 ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally...

ISASS recently signed on to a multi-specialty letter to U.S. Senator John Barrasso, MD in support of the “Protect Continuing Physician Education and Patient Care Act” (S. 2978), which would protect the dissemination of peer and independent third-party reviewed services and products that improve patient care. The legislation clarifies a provision in the Sunshine Act...