The American Society of Anesthesiologists advised the Oregon Health Authority's Health Evidence Review Committee to change its initial ruling to eliminate coverage for epidural steroid spinal injections.
Here are five things to know:
1. The OHA is expected to debate the issue at its Evidence-based Guidelines Subcommittee meeting today, Apr. 6, 2017.
2. HERC's ruling takes coverage away from low-income, disabled patients depending on the Oregon Health Plan and other state health programs.
3. ASA's Committee on Pain Medicine Chair Asokumar Buvanendran, MD, said, "As a physician anesthesiologist with a special focus on pain medicine, I feel very strongly that the review committee reverse its initial ruling, so all patients in Oregon can have the hope of a future without debilitating pain."
4. Many physicians turn to spinal injections once lifestyle changes, medications and physical therapy fail to improve a patient's condition.
5. ASA believes spinal injections are effective in well-selected patients in the short- and long-term.
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