Colorado news source 9News dug into intraoperative neuromonitoring during spine surgery
The news outlet spent a year investigating IOM during spinal procedures and the companies' relationships to surgeons. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is designed to alert surgeons when they're close to the patient's central nervous system to avoid complications.
9News reported the Center for Improving Value in Health Care found the average private insurance payment for IOM was $820; however, one patient highlighted in the report said her insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, paid $144,650 for IOM during her procedure. The company sent her the check, which was to be forwarded along to the IOM company as an out-of-network payment.
The Center for Improving Value in Health Care reported from 2012 to 2015, around 130 claims for IOM totaled $8.2 million in payment from insurance companies, according to the report.