Spinal procedures at MCAC
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Panel will review the quality of evidence for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures at a May 24 meeting at CMS in Baltimore. With spinal compression fractures common in osteoarthritis patients, CMS plans to assess the procedures for Medicare beneficiaries, but is not opening a national coverage decision. MCAC will review additional back pain treatments at future meetings. BlueCross BlueShield Association's Technology Evaluation Center recently concluded that vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty fail to meet the center's criteria (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 17, 2005, p. 16)...