As the popularity of spine procedures in the ASC setting continues to grow, some physicians worry that payer behavior could stunt technological growth and surgeon abilities.
Physicians are concerned that insurance companies won't be open to covering new care options, and potential care plan denials by insurers often result in patient care delays and revenue delays for orthopedic surgeons.
As spine procedures expand into the ASC setting, payers are increasingly resistant to covering certain procedures in an outpatient setting.
The industry won't be able to see benefits if insurers choose to continually deny coverage for these care options.
Chad Campion, MD, clinical instructor of orthopedic and spine surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Campbell Clinic in Memphis, spoke with Becker's about the two trends he is watching in 2024.
Dr. Campion: 1. The increasing popularity of endoscopic spine surgery, as well as the shift to more outpatient and ASC cases in spine surgery.
2. As endoscopic continues to grow, there will need to be an acceptance by payers of its efficacy, in addition to agreeing on billing and coding that reflects the procedure being done.