Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for March 9, 2017.
Swedish-Cherry Hill neuroscience chair Dr. Johnny Delashaw steps down amid investigation
Johnny B. Delashaw, MD, resigned from his post as chair of the Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute on the Cherry Hill campus on March 1, 2017, amid a state health regulatory investigation into complaints filed against him, The Seattle Times reports. Read more about the ongoing investigation here.
Mayfield Brain & Spine unveils Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center
Cincinnati-based Mayfield Brain & Spine has opened a national neurosurgery training site, Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center. The Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center offers spine and cranial surgery technology and minimally invasive procedures. Mayfield neurosurgeon and chairman of the board of the Mayfield Spine Surgery Center, William Tobler, MD, believes the new facility will host 30 to 40 training sessions every year for residents, fellows and established neurosurgeons.
SI-Bone launches SI Joint Women's Health Initiative
San Jose, Calif.-based SI-Bone reported its plans for the SI Joint Women's Health Initiative, which raises awareness about SI joint disorders in women and is made up of orthopedic spine surgeons, neurospinal surgeons and various healthcare providers.
Health plan round 2: House Republicans present plan to replace ACA
On March 6, 2017, House Republicans presented their proposal for repealing and replacing the ACA, The New York Times reports. The GOP plan extracts the individual mandate for Americans to purchase healthcare coverage and introduces a tax credit system to persuade Americans to purchase insurance on the free market. The new bill will not support Medicaid expansion, which offered coverage to more than 10 million in 31 states. Read here to learn more about the plan.
K2M 2016 revenue up 10.2%, net loss reaches $41.6M
K2M reported fourth quarter and full year financial results for 2016. Full-year 2016 revenue hit $236 million, up 10.2 percent over 2015. K2M saw $71.9 million in U.S. revenue for complex spine; $28.7 million for minimally invasive; and $80.4 million for degenerative sectors for 2016.
SeaSpine revenue drops 3.2% to $128.9M in 2016
SeaSpine reported a drop in full year revenue for 2016, reporting a 3.2 percent drop to $128.9 million. The total U.S. revenue decreased 2.9 percent to $116.8 million. Full-year orthobiologics revenue dropped 1.6 percent, reaching $66.2 percent. The spinal hardware revenue was down 5 percent, hitting $62.7 million.
32% of physicians spend 3 to 5 hours weekly on prior authorization
SERMO, a global social networking site for physicians, asked physicians how much time they devote to securing prior authorization. Twenty-eight percent of physicians reported they spend zero to two hours weekly on prior authorization; 32 percent spend three to five hours weekly; and 9 percent spend 16 or more hours weekly.
Senate confirms Dr. Ben Carson as US Housing and Urban Development Secretary
The Senate confirmed Ben Carson, MD, as the next Housing and Urban Development Secretary. The Senate voted 58-41 on March 2, 2017, to confirm Dr. Carson. Unlike other President Donald Trump cabinet appointees, Dr. Carson had little pushback from Senate Democrats.