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.

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. (See Federal Regulation Notice) Please be patient as this is a very large file.

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

Over the past few months ASIPP has received an increasing number of reports from members of various states that Blue Cross Blue Shield is denying SI Joint injections. We also have learned that at least some of these denials are based on the misinterpretation of the ASIPP Guidelines.

ASIPP has taken action by sending letters to Illinois, Texas and California. If you have experienced denials for this procedure, please let us know so that we can contact BC/BS in your state.

ASIPP in collaboration with NANS , 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.

The course will feature intermediate and advanced levels. Online registration and meeting information will be available by next week. Watch for more information and mark the date to attend.

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.

After considering the public comments and any additional evidence CMS will make a final determination and issue a final decision memorandum.

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

The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) has decided to undertake a national public relations campaign targeted toward informing the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain about the relatively new and often confusing specialty of Interventional Pain Management (IPM).

It is our objective to provide an essential understanding of the differences between various pain care practitioners, to promote a basic understanding of the various modalities and benefits our specialty can offer, and to demonstrate what it is that makes IPM physicians unique in their approach to the treatment and elimination of chronic and/or acute pain.

The ASIPP believes that educating the national media, the general public, payors and even other physicians about new and emerging therapies in this rapidly expanding field is the logical and necessary next step for our specialty. We hope you will support this effort by making a contribution to the campaign.

Watch for more information on this important campaign in the upcoming weeks.

We need only 40 more ASIPP members to join the AMA in order to secure a seat on the House of Delegates. The AMA is currently offering a half-price registration special giving you even more incentive to join today!

If you are not a member of the AMA, please go online and join. The process is quick and easy. After you have done so, please send an e-mail to mmartin@asipp.org so we can keep track of our progress.

Thank you in advance for taking this important action to assure IPM is represented in important issues considered by the AMA.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, the state's largest health insurer, sent an estimated 202,000 benefits letters containing personal and health information to the wrong addresses in a privacy breach that also raised concerns about potential identity theft. The insurer said that the erroneous mailings were primarily Explanation of Benefits letters, which include the patient's name and ID number, the name of the medical provider delivering the service, and the amounts charged and owed. The security breach may be a violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Miller, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 29, 2008).

>Florida State Society (FSiPP)to hold Annual Conference on August 1-2 in Orlando

FSIPP, the Florida Academy of Pain Medicine and the Florida Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will host an information-packed Annual Conference.

See Brochure

Read FSIPP Newsletter

The Georgia Society of Pain Physicians' (GSIPP) Annual Meeting/Pain Summit will once again be held at Lake Oconee, in Greensboro, GA on August 8-10, 2008.

For the 3rd consecutive year, the meeting will take place at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds' Plantation. This year promises to be another wonderful venue at this incredible resort.

The meeting agenda will cover various interventional and pain practice related topics by nationally and internationally renown speakers. To date presentations will be provided by: Gabor Racz, MD, Rick North, MD, Ted Kline, MD, John Nelson, MD, Aaron Calodney, MD, Leonardo Kapural, MD, Jeff Petersohn, MD and Jennifer Bolen, JD.

GSIPP President welcomes all ASIPP members to attend.

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

Interve national Pain Medicine Physician - St. Cloud, Minnesota

100% Pain Practice - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

National Pain Institute - Florida

Interventional Pain Specialist - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

MAYO CLINIC - Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Interventional Pain Physiatrist Wanted - Nevada

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