Here are seven things for spinal surgeons to know for January 31, 2013.
1. Global nonfusion spine market to grow significantly
Millennium Research Group released a report estimating the global spinal nonfusion market is expected to reach $1 billion, growing 19 percent annually in the United States. LDR Spine, Globus Medical and Pioneer Surgical are all expected to release new nonfusion spinal technologies over the next five years.
2. More government-sponsored health plan enrollees
Mark Farrah Associates released a report showing for every commercial member the top seven health insurers gained since December 2011, government sponsored health plans gained five members. While aggregated membership of the top seven health insurers grew 2.6 percent year-over-year, Medicare jumped 17.2 percent and Medicaid realized a 6.2 percent increase from September 2011 to September 2012.
3. Medtronic launches spine neurostimulators trial
Medtronic announced this week it has launched a study of its neurostimulation therapy device designed to optimize medical management for failed back surgery syndrome. The device delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
4. Seeing physicians in hospitals is more expensive
Hospitals can charge patients more than $1,000 in facility fees when the patient sees physicians working in a hospital-owed office. A Boston Globe report found that Medicare pays $44 more for visits to hospital-owned offices and $738 more for laser eye surgery in hospital-owned facilities.
5. Spine devices boost sales for device companies
Both Johnson & Johnson and Stryker recently released their fourth quarter and full year reports. Stryker's spine and neurotechnology business saw 9.7 percent growth worldwide, led by 12.3 percent growth in the United States. Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Synthes last year helped boost the orthopedics business 60.8 percent in the fourth quarter and 34 percent over the entire year.
6. Minnesota propose grant for spinal cord injury research
Lawmakers in Minnesota crafted a bill to funnel $4 million from state funds each year to a public research entity, Jablonski/Rodreik Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Grant Program.
7. NASS talks spine care with Congressman Tom Price
NASS Advocacy Committee Chairman John Finkenberg, MD, and Congressman Tom Price, MD, had a meeting last November to discuss key issues affecting spine specialists and patients. There are three future discussions between Dr. Finkenberg and Dr. Price scheduled in the meeting series.
More Articles on Spine Surgery:
Opportunities for Spine Technology Advancement: Q&A With Dr. Issada Thongtrangan of Valley Orthopedics
10 Steps for Spine Surgeons to Overcome the Fiscal Cliff
5 Big Opportunities for Spine Surgery Research & Development
1. Global nonfusion spine market to grow significantly
Millennium Research Group released a report estimating the global spinal nonfusion market is expected to reach $1 billion, growing 19 percent annually in the United States. LDR Spine, Globus Medical and Pioneer Surgical are all expected to release new nonfusion spinal technologies over the next five years.
2. More government-sponsored health plan enrollees
Mark Farrah Associates released a report showing for every commercial member the top seven health insurers gained since December 2011, government sponsored health plans gained five members. While aggregated membership of the top seven health insurers grew 2.6 percent year-over-year, Medicare jumped 17.2 percent and Medicaid realized a 6.2 percent increase from September 2011 to September 2012.
3. Medtronic launches spine neurostimulators trial
Medtronic announced this week it has launched a study of its neurostimulation therapy device designed to optimize medical management for failed back surgery syndrome. The device delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
4. Seeing physicians in hospitals is more expensive
Hospitals can charge patients more than $1,000 in facility fees when the patient sees physicians working in a hospital-owed office. A Boston Globe report found that Medicare pays $44 more for visits to hospital-owned offices and $738 more for laser eye surgery in hospital-owned facilities.
5. Spine devices boost sales for device companies
Both Johnson & Johnson and Stryker recently released their fourth quarter and full year reports. Stryker's spine and neurotechnology business saw 9.7 percent growth worldwide, led by 12.3 percent growth in the United States. Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Synthes last year helped boost the orthopedics business 60.8 percent in the fourth quarter and 34 percent over the entire year.
6. Minnesota propose grant for spinal cord injury research
Lawmakers in Minnesota crafted a bill to funnel $4 million from state funds each year to a public research entity, Jablonski/Rodreik Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Grant Program.
7. NASS talks spine care with Congressman Tom Price
NASS Advocacy Committee Chairman John Finkenberg, MD, and Congressman Tom Price, MD, had a meeting last November to discuss key issues affecting spine specialists and patients. There are three future discussions between Dr. Finkenberg and Dr. Price scheduled in the meeting series.
More Articles on Spine Surgery:
Opportunities for Spine Technology Advancement: Q&A With Dr. Issada Thongtrangan of Valley Orthopedics
10 Steps for Spine Surgeons to Overcome the Fiscal Cliff
5 Big Opportunities for Spine Surgery Research & Development