Two important proposed rules were recently announced in the Federal Register: Proposed Changes to the ASC Payment System and CY 2009 Payment Rates ; Revisions to Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2009.

It is very important that CMS hear from you. They have no reason to reconsider these rulings if they do not know that we oppose the proposed rules and why. Please don't assume that someone else will write a letter. It is up to each one of us to take the time to voice our concern.

The proposed rulings are as follows:

CMS-1404-P: Proposed Changes to the ASC Payment System and CY 2009 Payment Rates (CMS Fact Sheet)

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until September 2, 2008, and a final CY 2009 OPPS/ASC payment rule will be issued by November 1, 2008.

CMS-1403-P, Revisions to Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2009 - Deadline for comments August 29, 2008.

Comments may be submitted electronically or by mail. If mailing your comments please send, along with the original, two copies of your letter as required by CMS.

For sample letters and instructions on how to send and on how to involve your patients click here.

ASIPP will hold a specialty course in spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal implantable techniques. The review course and hands-on cadaver workshop will take place on Oct. 24-26, 2008 in Memphis, TN.

Online registration is now available.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed that the evidence is adequate to conclude that thermal intradiscal procedures do not improve health outcomes. Because of this CMS has determined that thermal intradiscal procedures are not reasonable and necessary for the treatment of low back pain and we propose to issue a national noncoverage determination for TIPs.

CMS is requesting public comments on this proposed determination. They are particularly interested in comments that include evidence not previously reviewed or that assess their evaluation of the evidence included in the determination.

The comments along with additional evidence will be used by CMS to make a final determination.

For a sample letter and mailing or electronic submission instructions click here.

More information on CMS proposed decision on Intradiscal Procedures, click here

CSIPP president, Francis Riegler, MD, addressed the CA Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) on the use of ACOEM guidelines for low back pain and chronic pain treatment recommendations.

The meeting outcome brought positive results with the DWC passing over ACOEM guidelines and instead opted in favor of the Official Disability Guidelines which are produced by the Work Loss Data Institute in San Diego.

Last week we shared an article from the Palm Beach Post which addressed prescription drug abuse. Dr. Ken Staggs, a Florida interventional pain physician and ASIPP member, addressed the issue in a letter to the editor.

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The ASIPP News will now feature a section for member news and updates. We ask for your assistance in developing this section by sending in member news items.

We are looking for diverse items such as recent committee or board appointments, awards, honors, publications of all types. If you have news you would like to share with the membership send an e-mail to Molly White at mwhite@thepainmd.com or Melinda Martin at mmartin@asipp.org.

ISIPP will hold an dinner lecture on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6 p.m., at Nick's Fishmarket in Rosemont, IL

The meeting will feature dinner lecture that will feature Dr. David Schultz, ASIPP President, speaking on "Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain - the Current and Future Trends".

Invitation

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ASIPP is now offering a new feature for those who advertise on our Positions Wanted section of the ASIPP Web site. As a service to our advertisers and our members, please find the link to each current job posting.

Fellows hip Trained Physician - Northwest Indiana

Out patient Interventional Pain Physician - Atlanta, Georgia

Pain Management Opportunity - Pennsylvania

Entrepreneurial Opportunity - Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Florida Opportunities

Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Opportunity

BC/ BE Physiatrist - Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Partnership Opportunity - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

100% Pain Practice - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Natio nal Pain Institute - Florida

Interventional Pain Specialist - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

MAYO CLINIC - Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Interventional Pain Physiatrist Wanted - Nevada

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