The early registration discount deadline for the December Cadaver Workshop and Comprehensive Review Course has been extended to Nov. 25, however the ASIPP hotel block will only remain open until 5:00 p.m. Nov. 9.

Due to the fact that Memphis is host to the St. Jude Marathon on Dec. 2, we encourage you to register soon and book your hotel before the the cut-off date. Register online and learn more about the course on the ASIPP web site.

The Workshop and Review will be held on December 1-3, 2006 in Memphis, TN. The host hotel is the DoubleTree on Union Ave.

On November 1, 2006, Medicare announced the final rule which sets physician payment rates and policies for 2007. In their release, CMS said the new payment rates will encourage increased physician-patient communication however; but this news is not good for interventional pain management.

Starting next year, the Medicare program will pay physicians more for the time they spend with Medicare beneficiaries talking about their healthcare and will pay for a broader range of preventive services. Unfortunately, they will also significantly reduce the payments for interventional techniques. CMS projects it will pay approximately $61.5 billion to over 900,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals in 2007 as a result of the payment rate and policies adapted in this rule.

This new spending figure reflects current law requirements to reduce payments by 5% to account for the combined growth in volume and intensity of physician services. For procedures performed in facility settings, over a period of 4 years, this change will be an average of 6.5% or so. However, this does not take into calculation any future cuts.

Final 2007 Physician Fee Schedule Read the letter from ASIPP CEO

The Final rule announced by CMS on November 1, 2006, it appears that for hospital outpatient department payments, interventional pain management procedures are winners in hospital outpatient prospective payment system and hospitals are winners overall.

Under the new final rule, most interventional procedures will see an increase. The few procedures to receive cuts include; revision of neural electrodes, implantation of neural receivers, and epidurography. Procedures seeing a substantial increase include percutaneous adhesiolysis, disc decompression, removal of previously implanted intrathecal epidural catheters, etc. Celiac plexus block continues to be at a lower level, which has been mistakenly classified 2 years ago. ASIPP has tried to correct this mistake and will continue to try and change this.

Epidurals and facet joint nerve blocks, etc., will receive a higher payment for the hospital portion with a 7% increase with a payment of $390.95 This will be good news for ASCs when we go on a percentage basis, even though it will still be disastrous. Another piece of good news is the addition of IDET code 22526/22527 with a payment rate of 1544.67.

For HOPD final payment rates for interventional techniques click here.

Two new Category I CPT codes have been established for percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty. These unique CPT codes, which will become effective Jan. 1, 2007, will facilitate appropriate physician reimbursement.

The new IDET codes are 22526/22527 with a payment rate of 1544.67.

On Nov. 01, 2006 Medtronic, Inc. represented by Mary Fautsch, Senior Director of Global Therapy Access, presented ASIPP CEO, Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, with a check to raise their sponsorship level to the status of Gold. Medtronic is a worldwide leader in the medical device industry. Their sponsorship further demonstrates their commitment to promoting better healthcare through education, improved patient access to healthcare, and high quality, cost effective treatment for patients.

Medtronic joins Smith & Nephew at this elite level of ASIPP sponsorship.

The beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court term brought a victory to thousands of Kentucky and Ohio physicians when the high court turned down United Healthcare of Ohio's request to block the doctors' lawsuits alleging health plan price-fixing.

The Supreme Court's Oct. 2 decision clears the way for the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati to go to trial over claims that United conspired with other health plans to hold down physician reimbursement rates in the area.