The North American Spine Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons has released extensive comments in response to the North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield's newly issued coverage policy on lumbar spine fusion surgery, according to a NASS news release.
The new policy, which begins Jan. 1, says that NC BCBS will provide coverage for the procedure when it is determined medically necessary. The policy outlines the instances when lumbar spine fusion surgery will be covered.
The letter from NASS, AANS and CNS expresses concerns regarding the criteria and guidelines for which NC BCBS will provide coverage and suggests specific modifications to the policy. Several other orthopedic and spine organizations signed the letter as well.
Read the NASS release on the letter to NC BCBS.
Read the NC BCBS policy (pdf).
Read the letter to NC BCBS on lumar spinal fusion coverage (pdf).
Read other coverage on NASS:
- NASS: Review and Consider New Literature on Vertebroplasty
- NASS Celebrates 25 Years at Annual Meeting in Florida
- Dr. Alexander Vaccaro Receives NASS's 2010 Leon Wiltse Award
The new policy, which begins Jan. 1, says that NC BCBS will provide coverage for the procedure when it is determined medically necessary. The policy outlines the instances when lumbar spine fusion surgery will be covered.
The letter from NASS, AANS and CNS expresses concerns regarding the criteria and guidelines for which NC BCBS will provide coverage and suggests specific modifications to the policy. Several other orthopedic and spine organizations signed the letter as well.
Read the NASS release on the letter to NC BCBS.
Read the NC BCBS policy (pdf).
Read the letter to NC BCBS on lumar spinal fusion coverage (pdf).
Read other coverage on NASS:
- NASS: Review and Consider New Literature on Vertebroplasty
- NASS Celebrates 25 Years at Annual Meeting in Florida
- Dr. Alexander Vaccaro Receives NASS's 2010 Leon Wiltse Award