News

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 Statement 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. ISASS’ membership based is comprised of orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and and researchers dedicated to improving patient care through medically appropriate spinal surgeries. We welcome the opportunity to comment on the key questions […]

The New Jersey State Spine Society (NJSSS) is composed of spine surgeons with the mission of protecting patient access to high quality spine care in New Jersey. Major issues have arisen from proposals by Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey and Cigna that will dramatically reduce reimbursement rates for spine procedures. Dr. Mitchell Reiter, President NJSSS, has called for an emergency meeting to be held on on February 15, 2012 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel, 199 Smith Road, in Parsippany, New Jersey (click here for map and directions) to collect input and activate spine surgeons in New Jersey to address this direct and specific attack on spine procedure reimbursement. Details for the meeting are provided in Dr. Reiter’s letter: Emergency Meeting […]

Dear ISASS Members: 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 […]