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July 30, 2019

Published by Nikki Golden at July 30, 2019

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Policy and Advocacy News

White House Announces Efforts to Promote Greater Price Transparency For Prescription Drugs

On June 25, the White House announced an initiative to encourage greater transparency in drug pricing. President Trump signed an Executive Order on June 25, entitled “Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare to Put Patients First.” The purpose of the order is to direct federal agencies to issue regulations to improve the transparency of health care prices and quality in order to create a more competitive marketplace and provide consumers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. More specifically, the executive order: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue regulations within 60 days that would require hospitals to publicly post standard charge information, including information based on negotiated rates, in an […]

July 3, 2019

Published by Nikki Golden at July 3, 2019

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ISASS extends deadline for abstract submission for ISASS20

ISASS, the Innovation Society, is now accepting abstracts for ISASS20, which will take place Feb. 26-28, 2020 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Submit your leading-edge spinal research in the following topic areas: Arthroplasty Biologics and Stem Cell Therapies & Research Biomechanical Cervical ADR Cervical Degeneration Deformity Diagnostics & Imaging Endoscopic Epidemiology/Natural History Fusion Surgery Innovative Technologies Interbody Materials MIS Navigation/Robotics Non-Operative Care and Injection Therapies Outpatient Spinal Surgery Pain Management Pediatric Spine Sports and Spine Thoraco-Lumbar Degeneration Tumor, Trauma & Infection Value and Economics ISASS is also accepting submissions for innovative symposia, which can take the form of debates, case studies, discussions or other interactive formats. We suggest the following elements on symposia proposals: Target audience (for example: International spine […]

June 25, 2019

Published by Nikki Golden at June 25, 2019

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Policy and Advocacy News

ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Develops Policy Statements on New Spine Technologies

ISASS’ Coding and Reimbursement Task Force is undertaking drafts of policy statements on two new spine technologies, the Intracept procedure for Basivertebral nerve treatment, and the Barricaid implant for annular closure. These technologies are among the newest and most promising treatments for vertebral conditions and likely to increase in dissemination and use by practitioners. The policy statements will be evidence-based evaluations of literature and clinical data for each procedure and will help practitioners and payers assess the merits of coverage for the services. The final drafts will be forwarded to the ISASS board for review and final publication on the ISASS website as well as in the International Journal of Spine Surgery, ISASS’ journal. ISASS is grateful for the leadership […]

June 25, 2019

Published by Nikki Golden at June 25, 2019

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Policy and Advocacy News

U.S. Senate to Take Up Legislation Aimed at Addressing “Surprise Billing”

On June 18, a key Senate committee held hearings and says it is ready to start marking up a bill next week designed to contain healthcare costs. The wide-ranging legislative package on curbing healthcare costs is sponsored by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the chairman and ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Given the committee’s influence, and because this legislation has bipartisan support in the Senate where not many bills are moving, industry observers are taking the HELP panel’s proposal very seriously. The bill lays out three options for paying surprise medical bills but does not specify which path the final legislation should take. Advocates for each of the choices were among […]