Spine
In the realm of spinal fusion surgery, the quest for faster, safer, and more reliable bone formation has led to…
As orthopedic surgeons brace for another round of Medicare payment cuts, some may be weighing a step few physicians have taken: leaving the program entirely. CMS’ proposed 2027 physician fee schedule, released July 14, projects a 7% reduction in aggregate…
As more spine procedures move into ASCs, a financial divide is taking shape: Who captures the revenue from routine outpatient procedures, and who bears the cost of the complex cases that remain in hospitals? Advances in minimally invasive techniques and…
Medicare now requires prior authorization for several spinal and knee braces nationwide, along with two upper limb orthoses in four states. CMS outlined the change in a July 30 Federal Register notice that added eight codes to its required prior…
Geico filed a federal lawsuit accusing three Florida healthcare clinics and four individuals of participating in a fraudulent billing scheme involving more than $4 million in insurance payments. The lawsuit, filed Oct. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the…
Spine surgeons are taking on expanded leadership roles as health systems invest in specialty programs, recruit physicians and develop new models for delivering care. From Sutter Health’s nearly $500 million neuroscience complex to leadership changes at academic medical centers and…
As AI becomes more integrated into neurosurgical care, questions about physician liability, patient consent and data privacy are becoming increasingly important, according to an article published in the Fall 2026 issue of CNS Quarterly. AI is appearing in clinical documentation,…
Hybrid cervical surgery has nearly two decades of clinical evidence behind it, even though several commercial payers still classify the technique as experimental or investigational to deny coverage, according to an article in the fall 2026 issue of Vertebral Columns.…
Machine learning is increasingly being explored in spine surgery to predict patient outcomes, assist surgical planning and improve intraoperative decision-making, according to a review in the fall 2026 issue of Vertebral Columns, published by the International Society for the Advancement…
Bon Secours Mercy Health’s planned $5.7 billion acquisition of Surgery Partners would put a national outpatient surgery operator with a growing orthopedic business under hospital system ownership. Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health agreed Oct. 26 to take Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery…
Spine surgeons and health systems are adopting technologies ranging from robotic guidance and patient-specific implants to AI-assisted triage, endoscopic surgery and lower-cost navigation tools. Recent Becker’s reporting highlights five areas of technology adoption, including investments by health systems and experiences…