Cross Post: An Endovascular Approach for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Assessing Morphometric Candidacy After Venous Sinus Stenting.
From time to time on the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they hit the mark on an issue. We wanted to bring attention to a recent publication in Neurosurgery, an official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, which provides multimedia, prompt publication […]
Neurosurgery Applauds House Energy and Commerce Passage of Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform
The AANS/CNS Washington Committee welcomed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s unanimous approval of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514 / S. 1816), bipartisan legislation to modernize prior authorization in Medicare Advantage. In a statement, Washington Committee Chair Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, emphasized that timely access to medically necessary care is critical for patients […]
Neurosurgery Leader Welcomes Introduction of the Patients First Act
The AANS/CNS Washington Committee welcomed the introduction of the Patients First Act (H.R. 9693), bipartisan legislation designed to address longstanding structural challenges within the Medicare physician payment system. In a statement, Washington Committee Chair Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, FAANS, praised the bipartisan collaboration behind the legislation and emphasized the need for long-term Medicare payment stability, reduced […]
Neurosurgery Applauds House Ways and Means Passage of Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform
The AANS/CNS Washington Committee welcomed the House Committee on Ways and Means’ unanimous approval of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514 / S. 1816), a key step toward modernizing prior authorization in Medicare Advantage. In a statement, Washington Committee Chair Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, FAANS, commended the bipartisan leadership of the Committee […]
The Alliance of Specialty Medicine’s comment letter on OMB’s Proposed Uniform Guidance Revisions
The AANS/CNS, through the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget opposing a proposed rule that would significantly reshape the administration of federal financial assistance. In its comment letter, the Alliance urged OMB to withdraw the proposal, warning that it would weaken scientific peer review, discourage research collaboration, expand political influence over […]
Cross Post: Celebrating the Life and Career of Sanjeet S. Grewal, MD (1987 – 2026)
Every so often, we use the Neurosurgery Blog to share or link to impactful events and stories from the broader medical community. Today, we want to bring your attention to a deeply moving tribute, written by Dario J. Englot, MD, PhD, honoring the life, legacy, and profound impact of a remarkable young neurosurgeon who recently passed […]
Cross Post: Neurosurgery Publishes Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines for the Management of Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury, Second Edition
From time to time on the Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places when we believe they hit the mark on an issue, and so, we wanted to bring your attention to a recent supplement in Neurosurgery: “Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines for the Management of Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury, […]
Prior Authorization: A State-Level Perspective
Grassroots advocacy has played a crucial role in addressing the burdensome and increasingly complex prior authorization processes that have frustrated neurosurgery patients, leading to unnecessary delays in care, worsening neurological deficits, and denial of essential services. Neurosurgeons have faced overwhelming administrative tasks that are both time-consuming and require additional staffing, significantly increasing overhead costs. State […]
Washington Committee: 50 Years of Advocacy and Impact
Fifty years ago, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) recognized the growing impact of federal policy on medicine and took bold action: they established the AANS/CNS Washington Committee for Neurological Surgery. This formal presence in the nation’s capital has since served as the unified voice of neurosurgery in […]
Prior Authorization’s Hidden Toll: How Bureaucratic Barriers Exhaust Healthcare Teams and Delay Patient Care
The mechanism of prior authorization necessitates that an insurance company grants approval for specific treatments before assuming financial responsibility. This includes surgery but also clinical tools such as imaging and medication. This bureaucratic impediment functions mostly as a deterrent, a labyrinthine cacophony of obfuscation. In the words of Sir Topham Hatt, it causes confusion and delay. […]