Cross-Post: ‘No other industry would tolerate this’: The problem with prior authorization in spine surgery

From time to time on Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting to items from other places that we believe will interest our readers. Today’s post originally appeared in Becker’s Spine Review on Sept. 25. Neurosurgeons Anthony M. DiGiorgio, DO, MHA, FAANS; Praveen V. Mummaneni, MD, FAANS and Luis M. Tumialán, MD, FAANS discuss prior […]
Cross-Post: Perverse Health-Care Incentives Endanger Spine Patients

From time to time on Neurosurgery Blog, you will see us cross-posting or linking to items from other places that we believe will be of interest to our readers. Today’s post originally appeared in The American Spectator on May 21. In the op-ed, neurosurgeons Richard Menger, MD, MPA and Anthony M. DiGiorgio, DO, MHA voice their support […]
AANS Neurosurgeon Spotlight: Winter 2018 – Neurosurgery’s Crystal Ball
The winter 2018 edition of AANS Neurosurgeon presents Neurosurgery’s Crystal Ball – neurosurgeons speculating on possible advancements and the effects to be had on the specialty. Read through the pages to explore theories, perspectives and insights from those who have taken the time to look ahead to future innovations. This issue is packed with information […]
An Approach to Prior Authorization Insurance Denials
Debraj Mukherjee, MD, MPH (left) Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD Chaim B. Colen MD, PhD (right) Neurosurgeon Pompano Beach, FL Patient access to care is a high priority for all neurosurgeons. Unfortunately, many of our practices are thwarted in these efforts from unwarranted insurance denials. Know, you are not […]
Cross Post – Woman Regains ‘Quality Of Life’ With Spine Surgery
Misinformation regarding spine care in the U.S. is a significant hindrance to understanding the important issues surrounding the care of patients with spinal conditions. At some point in our lives, each and every one of us will experience back or neck pain. Thus, the issues surrounding spine care matter to us all. Neurosurgeons know that […]
Rate of Return to Military Active Duty after Single and Two-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Four Year Retrospective Review
Luis Manuel Tumialan, MD, FAANS Neurosurgeon, Barrow Neurological Institute Scottsdale, Ariz. Can a member of the United States Marine Corps return to unrestricted full duty after a cervical fusion? How about a Navy SEAL or a Navy F-18 fighter pilot? Wearing a 60-pound rucksack for hours, parachuting from 11,000 feet, diving into the depths of […]
Voices of Our Patients — Spine Surgery Gets Patient Dancing Again
Kimon Bekelis, MD Director of the Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center and co-director of the Neuro ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center Chairman, Neurointerventional Services at Catholic Health Services of Long Island Instructor, the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice West Islip NY Misinformation regarding spine care in the U.S. is a […]
AANS/CNS Spotlight – Exceptional Speakers at the 2018 Spine Summit
This year’s 2018 Annual Meeting of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, which is being held this week in Orlando, FL, features a noteworthy ensemble of honored guests and speakers who will advance the meeting theme of, “Restoring Alignment in an Era of Global Change.” These speakers are innovators and […]
The Rush to Limit Opioid Prescribing
Christopher J. Winfree, MD, FAANS Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University New York, NY Ever since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010, there has been increased attention paid to the use of opioids to treat chronic pain in America. Much of this has been in response to a worsening opioid crisis for […]