The North American Spine Society's Spine on the Hill blog recently highlighted four key legislative updates for spine surgeons to know.
While the organization continues to support sustainable growth rate repeal and replace, there are a few other actions that could impact spine surgeons in the future:
1. The Office of the Inspector General issued a report to Congress estimating it would recover $3.1 billion in improper payments and fraudulent activity over the first six months of 2014. The report also referenced the 2013 study about physician-owned distributorships, which could have an impact on future legislation.
2. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released a report finding fee-for-service is a barrier to healthcare outcome improvements while driving Medicare costs. The council urged action for more transparency and outcomes-based payment.
3. A new report from the Government Accountability Office showed non-self-referrals for physical therapy increased at a faster rate than self-referred physical therapy over a six year period. This is a positive report for proponents of the in-office ancillary services exemption to the Stark Law.
4. The GAO appointed three new members to the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee, which advises congress on payments in Medicare's current program.
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