Readmission rates for spine surgery are high in some hospitals, which will become a significant burden as insurance companies and Medicare stop paying for readmissions separately within the episode of care. Many departments are considering new initiatives to reduce readmission rates, and surgeons should play a role in these decisions.

Cigna HealthCare has partnered with Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine and Elkhorn Rehabilitation Hospital in Casper, Wyo., to create a program that increases quality and lowers cost for patients in the area: Pathway to Improved Health for Back Pain. The State of Wyoming is among the highest spenders when it comes to spine and back pain, and related claims which nearly doubled from 2007 to 2009. Here, David E. Mino, MD, MBA, Cigna HealthCare National Medical Director, Orthopedic Surgery and spinal disorders, discusses the program and where it's headed in the future.

Recruiting new spine surgeons can be time consuming and expensive, which places a heavy burden on any private practice.

John F. Hall, MD, is a spine surgeon at Flagstaff (Ariz.) Bone and Joint. He joined in 2007 and started the Spine Care Program. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and has served as a squadron flight surgeon in both the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

Here are 12 hospitals that announced or opened expansion projects for orthopedic and spine services.

The Business of Spine has launched a new customer loyalty program with special offers and members-only discounts.

Hyun Bae, MD, is the Director of Education at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Medical Director of the Spine Institute in Santa Monica. He has researched stem cell repair for degenerative disc disease and the use of growth factors to treat spinal cord injuries. He was among the first to use growth factor tissue engineering for intervertebral discs and chaired the "Spine Across the Sea" meeting in 2012 for the North American Spine Society.

Khawar Siddique, MD, is a neurosurgeon who treats spine disorders, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine conditions. He is an attending surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and a partner with Beverly Hills Spine Surgery.

Medical Marketing Solutions founder Steven Siwek has launched a new publication, Thrive Health Magazine, focused on patient education and wellness. The first issue was published in the fall of 2012 and the next is scheduled for release in March.

The Food and Drug Administration granted 21 spine-related device clearances in December.