Outpatient Spine

CMS will use prior authorization to reduce unnecessary increases in the volume of covered outpatient spine services next year.

In October, Raymond Gardocki, MD, joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., where he will help develop the endoscopic spine surgery program.

Awake spinal fusion is a novel approach to spine surgery that fuses minimally invasive or endoscopic surgical techniques with contemporary anesthesia. 

Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare and Newark-based Delaware Neurosurgical Group are contemplating developing a joint venture spine ASC for $4.8 million, the Delaware Business Times reported Oct. 28.

CMS released the 2021 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in August, which would reduce relative value unit conversion factor from $36.09 to $32.26.

San Antonio-based South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital opened its new outpatient surgery center in August.

Established as the market leader in the minimally invasive approach to sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion, SI-BONE, is now transitioning into a comprehensive sacropelvic solutions company.

David Vecchione, MD, treated his first spine patient at SOG Surgery Center in Tupelo, Miss.

Allied Pain & Spine Institute installed its first enterprise chief operating officer.

Steamboat Orthopaedic Associates and Orthopaedics of Steamboat Springs merged two years ago, forming Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute in Steamboat Springs, Colo.