Public Policy and AdvocacyFebruary 2012 - Video: Dr. Morgan Lorio's AHRQ Testimonial ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Chair Morgan Lorio, MD has posed a video testimonial response to the AHRQ: Comments on Key Questions: "On July 12, 1982 at 10am I fell approximately 35 feet at work from scaffolding and literally broke my back. I recovered from the fractures but suffered from an insidious onset of low back degenerative disc disease. This problem was underscored in 1997 as I required an L5/S1 diskectomy for left leg radiculopathy. My leg pain was greatly improved but my back pain worsened. By 2005 I was wearing a TENS unit ramped up to the maximum and requiring cortico-steroids and anti-inflammatory treatments to have anything akin to a normal life." Read More / Watch Video > 
February 2012 - Advocacy Alert: Call to Action from ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Chair Morgan Lorio, MD "It has been brought to my attention that YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED regarding a time sensitive notice issued by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Summarized, AHRQ has requested comments on spinal fusion for painful lumbar degenerative disc or joint diseases. It is our timely duty, and it is imperative that we respond with a strong front supporting the care of our spinal patients. As spinal surgeons, we must be actively involved in this worthy endeavor. "I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOUR ACTION. ISASS will forward a statement with the ISASS Lumbar Fusion Policy Statement. I plan to formulate my own testimonial this week in both written and YouTube format. I implore each of you to act as well – every spinal surgeon member should send any support letter, article, case experience, and/or testimonial available to AHRQ." Read More > Related Links: AHRQ: Comments on Key Questions ISASS Policy Statement on Lumbar Fusion Surgery
January 2012 - ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force "The ISASS Board is pleased to announce that Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS, of Bristol, Tennessee, will chair the new Coding & Reimbursement Task Force. Dr. Lorio is in private practice, and also is an assistant clinical professor at East Tennessee State University." "The Coding & Reimbursement Task Force is charged with: 1.) identifying spinal surgery-related coding and reimbursement issues that may adversely impact patient access to medically indicated spine surgeries; 2.) developing for the Board's approval advocacy action plans on the society's behalf to address those issues; and, 3.) assisting in the execution of those advocacy actions plans as appropriate and necessary." Read More >
September 25, 2011 - ISASS Seeks Members' Participation on New Coding & Reimbursement Task Force "In order to advocate properly for spine surgeons, ISASS seeks members who have an interest in coding, valuation and reimbursement issues, and who might lend their expertise to our nascent efforts through participation in a newly formed Coding & Reimbursement Task Force." Read More >
July 15, 2011 - Advocacy Alert - Dr. Jean-Charles LeHuec Responds to First Coast Service Operations, Inc.'s Draft LCD number DL32074 - “Lumbar Spinal Fusion for Instability and Degenerative Disc Conditions” "I am writing on behalf of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) in regards to the above-mentioned Draft Local Coverage Determination. ISASS is an international, scientific and educational society organized to discuss and assess existing strategies and innovative ideas in the clinical and basic sciences related to spine surgery to enhance patient care...." Read More (PDF) >
July 15, 2011 - ISASS Policy Statement on Lumbar Fusion Surgery International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) Policy Statement on Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery, including: - Introduction
- Scope
- Definitions
- Conditions for which Lumbar Fusion is Medically indicated
- Conditions for which Lumbar Fusion is Indicated on a Case-by-Case Basis
- Conditions for which Lumbar Fusion is Not Medically Appropriate
- Scientific Background
- Conclusion
- References
Read More >
ISASS Members on 10 Spine Surgeons Advocates List
Becker's Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management has published a list of "10 spine surgeons who are dedicated to spine advocacy efforts through national societies, regional programs or through practice organizations." Read More >
January 26, 2011 - Advocacy Alert: BCBS-NC Changes Lumbar Fusion Policy On January 20th, SAS President Tom Errico and leaders from eight other professional spine societies met with the medical leadership of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBS-NC) to discuss the spine community's concerns with a newly published BCBS-NC policy on lumbar fusions. Read More >
January 10, 2011 - Journalists Using Sensationalistic Stories to Bias Public Opinion about Spinal Fusion Surgery The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (SAS)
Lumbar Fusion Evidence & Policy Review Task Force The Bloomberg business news web site recently published an article asserting that fusion is an unnecessary and unfounded procedure.The article is unscientific and based on incomplete information. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) would like to take this opportunity educate the business community about the medical benefits of lumbar fusion surgery. Read More >
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