In Feb. 2009, Minnesota’s HealthPartners began requiring patients to receive approved decision guides, such as booklets of videos, to learn about alternatives to surgery before receiving lumbar fusions. The company also asks surgeons to document the patients’ attempts at rehabilitation before approving surgery.
Tom Marr, MD, the medical director at HealthPartners, said that the program has not reduced the number of spinal fusions. However, other Minnesota payors are also implementing similar guidelines for patients before approving spinal fusions.
Read the Pioneer Press report on spinal fusion coverage.
Read other coverage on spinal fusions:
– ISASS President Dr. Thomas Errico: Spinal Fusion Coverage Update
– NASS, Others Comment on North Carolina BCBS Policy on lumbar Spinal Fusion
– Volume of Spine Procedures May Recover This Year
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