Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Oct. 13, 2016.
25 Mazor systems purchased in Q3, Medtronic accounts for 15
Mazor received purchase orders for 25 system orders in the third quarter of 2016, including pre-launch orders for the Mazor X. The company expects to deliver three Mazor X pre-orders by the end of the first quarter in 2017. Mazor's strategic partner Medtronic ordered 15 Mazor X systems, four of which the company delivered during the third quarter of 2016.
Suicide likely cause of Dr. Sandeep Sherlekar's death, police report shows
Sgt. Andrew Alcorn, a Frederick, Md.-based police criminal investigation division supervisor, reported Sandeep Sherlekar, MD, likely committed suicide, based on review of evidence. Dr. Sherlekar, who was a co-founder of Frederick-based American Spine Center, was found unresponsive at the spine center on Sept. 30 and pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt. Alcorn said they reviewed video inside the center, which showed Dr. Sherlekar alone before and at the time of his death. Investigators believe Dr. Sherlekar intentionally overdosed.
Walmart adds Mayo Clinic to spine centers of excellence, 50% copay for out-of-network care
In an effort to ensure employees with back pain received correct and timely treatment, Walmart developed the spine centers of excellence program in 2012. The company announced changes to their coverage yesterday to encourage more employees to use the program. Going forward, employees must use a center of excellence or pay 50 percent of the cost of care for an out-of-network provider. Walmart expanded its centers of excellence hospitals to include Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida.
Implanet's spine activity surges 27% in 1st 9 months of 2016
Implanet reported its sales from the third quarter, ending Sept. 30, as well as total sales for the first nine months of 2016. Implanet's spine activity increased by 27 percent in the first nine months of 2016 compared to last year, hitting €2.86 million. In the third quarter, Implanet's spine activity increased to €848,000.
K2M boosts MIS offering with CASCADIA Lateral Interbody System line expansion
The FDA cleared K2M's CASCADIA Lateral Interbody System line expansion. The expansion of the CASCADIA Lateral Interbody System line features Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology. The technology involves a porous structure and rough surfaces to promote bone integration through the implant.
Which specialists are more likely to be a Republican?
New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University researchers found 67 percent of surgical specialists reported having a Republican party registration. The following specialties are more likely to report a party registration with Republicans: surgery (67 percent), anesthesiology (65 percent), Urology (62 percent) and ENT (61 percent).
Medicare spends $1.5B on defective device
An HSS Inspector report found Medicare spent nearly $1.5 billion on seven types of defective heart devices. The report found physicians implanted these defective devices in thousands of Medicare beneficiaries. Patients who received such devices paid an estimated $140 million in both deductibles and coinsurance costs. Investigators have not yet identified the three companies that manufactured the defective devices.
Alphatec CFO resigns; company cuts workforce by 20%
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Alphatec shifted its executive leadership team and cut its workforce. Michael O'Neill, who served as CFO and treasurer, resigned from his post on Oct. 5. Dennis Nelson, the current vice president of finance and corporate controller, will step up as the interim principal financial and accounting officer for filings under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Alphatec also decreased its workforce by about 20 percent.