News

January 26, 2010 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. The posting of the policy by BCBS-NC last fall prompted an outpouring of concern that its restrictive nature would limit or deny surgeries for patients in need, and that several conditions and diagnoses previously necessitating surgery would not be covered under the new policy. In late December 2010 the spine community came together to draft a letter to BCBS-NC, specifically offering suggested modifications and asking for an opportunity to meet to collaboratively […]

SAS/ISASS would like to alert you to the US House of Representatives passage of the Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act of 2010 related to Medicare and Tricare payments: A few moments ago, the House of Representatives passed by voice vote legislation that would prevent the December 1st 23 percent cut to Medicare and Tricare payments. The Senate passed this measure on November 18th before the Thanksgiving recess. This legislation, the Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act of 2010 will continue the 2.2 percent update for an additional month through December 31, 2010. This legislation cost $1 billion, and in order to pay for this measure, outpatient providers who perform multiple services on the same day will see a reduction […]

SAS/ISASS would like to alert you to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal covering Congressman Darrell Issa’s (incoming chairman of the House’s chief investigative committee) goal of “cutting the overuse of expensive medical procedures…. …data came in a report suggesting that expensive cardiovascular and orthopedic implants are overused by doctors, sometimes after aggressive promotion by device makers.” The Wall Street Journal article can be viewed at the following link: Republican Targets Use of Costly Medical Devices SAS/ISASS President Dr. Thomas Errico’s response to the Wall Street Journal article (pending publication): December 9, 2010 The Editor The Wall Street Journal 1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY, 10036 To the Editor, Cong. Darrell Issa’s assertions (“Republican Targets Use […]