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News and noteworthy information for March 2016: CPT®Summary of Panel Actions from February 2016 Meeting FDA Issues Proposed Rule to Classify Posterior Cervical Screw Systems PCORI Announces $22 million to Compare Treatment Options for Low Back Pain Healthcare Industry Pledges to Make Electronic Health Record Work Better EHR Incentive Program Hardship Application Deadline Extended to July 1 30% of Medicare Payments Now Tied to Alternative Payment Models S. Physician Practices Spend More than $15.4 Billion Annually to Report Quality Measures 2016 Value Modifier Results and Payment Adjustments Senate HELP Committee Action New President and CEO of AdvaMed Announced Research & Reimbursement Course Scheduled for ISASS16   CPT Summary of Panel Actions from February 2016 Meeting On March 4, the American Medical Association […]

ISASS recently signed on to a multi-society letter supporting the nomination of Gregory J. Przybylski, MD to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). Nominated by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Przybylski is a practicing neurosurgeon and spine specialist from New Jersey. His experience and knowledge on healthcare policy, Medicare, and the Resource-Based Relative Value System uniquely positions him as an excellent candidate for MedPAC. View the letter of support here.

On March 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule to classify posterior cervical screw systems as a Class II device. Since posterior cervical screw systems were in use prior to May 28, 1976 (the date of enactment of the Medical Device Amendments of 1976), they are considered unclassified “pre-amendments devices” by the FDA, requiring premarket notification (510(k)). In 2011, the Orthopedic Surgical Manufacturers Association submitted a petition to the FDA to classify posterior cervical screw systems as a Class II device. In September 2012, the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Panel to the FDA agreed and recommended that these screw systems be classified as Class II. In the proposed rule issued on March 10, the FDA agreed with the Panel’s recommendation for classification of posterior cervical […]