In that nine-year time period, Medicare reimbursements for 23 selected spine procedures fell between 15 percent and 37 percent.
For example, reimbursement for “anterior instrumentation; 8 or more vertebral segments” (CPT 22847) fell from $1,089.17 (in 2008 dollars) to $806.45, down 26 percent.
Reimbursement for “application of intervertebral biomechanical devices” (CPT 22851) dropped from $574.78 (in 2008 dollars) to $393.13, down 32 percent.
In addition, Medicare now requires physicians to provide 90 days of post-operative care for no additional reimbursement, Mr. Binder reports.
To read the full list of spine procedures with falling reimbursements go to Jeffrey Binder’s blog.
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