7 Things for Spine Surgeons to Know for Thursday

Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. Aetna's revised coverage on spine cages includes some cervical fusions.
In the fall of 2013, Aetna considered changing its medical necessity policy for spine cages, but has revised its coverage decision after responses from spine organizations, including the North American Spine Society. The revised coverage decision indicates it will consider cage use in cervical fusion also medically necessary for members who meet specific criteria. Aetna continues to consider spine cages not medically necessary for cervical fusion beyond their specific requirements.

Dr. Isador Lieberman performed 250 surgeries with Mazor Robotics spine technology.
Isador Lieberman, MD, of the Texas Back Institute in Plano, has performed 250 spine surgery cases using technology from Mazor Robotics, including the Renaissance robotic surgical system. Dr. Lieberman called the system an integral part of his practice that facilitates more efficient and accurate procedures.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons elected Dr. Praveen Mummaneni to executive committee.
Praveen V. Mummaneni, MD, was elected a member-at-large of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Executive Committee for a two-year term. Dr. Mummaneni is the director of minimally invasive and cervical spine surgery at the University of California San Francisco as well as co-director of the UCSF Spine Center.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian will launch neurosurgery spine program.
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., is planning to launch the Hoag Neurosurgery Spine Program. The neurosurgery spine program will offer a team approach to evaluating patients and it will include physical therapists, pain management specialists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and a dedicated nurse navigator.

AAOS named Ellen Moore as chief education officer.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons named Ellen Moore the new Chief Education Officer. She will lead the design, development, delivery and financial management of the AAOS educational programs.

Orthopedists surveyed as most financially stable physician specialty.
Orthopedists are the most financially stable physician specialty with 77 percent of the surveyed physicians reporting at least adequate savings, according to a Medscape report. Ophthalmologists and urologists came in second and third with 76 and 74 percent, respectively.

Orthopedic device market to be worth $41.2B by 2019.
The orthopedic device market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.9 percent from 2013 to 2019 and reach a value of $41.2 billion. As of 2012, the market was valued at $29.2 billion. Devices include those for hips, knee, spine, shoulder, elbow, foot and ankle, craniomaxillofacial and other extremities.

More Articles on Spine:
Online Spine Patient Questionnaire Completion: Does Having Email Help?
Spinal Injury After Vehicle Collision: 10 Characteristics
Orthopaedic & Spine Center Opens Physical Therapy Center