Pain Physician COVID-19 Special Issue Now Online

Pain Physician published COVID-19 special issue with 18 original manuscripts and multiple letters.

This issue includes an amazing editorial (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942783/); 

Evidence-Based Risk Mitigation Strategies and Stratification during COVID-19 for Return to Interventional Pain Practices (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942784/), and 

Triaging Interventional Pain Procedures during COVID-19 or Related Elective Surgery Restrictions (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942785/). 

Both manuscripts describe various means to continuation of the services at present, and also in future if there is a resurgence or in a worst-case scenario lock-down, and training and education during COVID epidemic.

Other articles include Burnout among Pain Physicians, Implications on Interventional Pain Practice, and manuscripts on antibody testing, drug therapy, and stem cell therapy.

COVID-19 special issue of Pain Physician this week discusses steroid distancing with evidence-based with or without influence of COVID-19, by Manchikanti et al (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942792/). This is proceeded by another manuscript, Lack of Superiority of Epidural Injections with Lidocaine with Steroids Compared to Without Steroids in Spinal Pain by Knezevic et al (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942786/) which in detail provides the evidence-based data with systematic reviews. 

In other manuscripts similar descriptions have been provided (Shanthanna et al https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32798067/ and Manchikanti et al https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32335757/). Overall, it appears that steroids are superior in patients with presence of inflammation and may be indicated in cervical epidural injections to avoid local anesthetic injections.

ASIPP and SIPMS Sends Comment Letters on Physician and ASC &HOPD 2021 Fee Schedules to CMS

Last week ASIPP and SIPMS sent two comment letters to CMS - one on the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and the other addressing the ASC &HOPD 2021 Fee Schedule.

Comment letter to CMS on physician payment proposed rule for 2021

Comment letter to CMS on ASC and HOPD proposed payment rates for 2021 (continue reading)

PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021

CMS has released proposed policy changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule for calendar year 2020 on August 3, 2020 at midnight (https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-17127.pdf). CMS claims that the calender year 2021 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader administration - wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation.(continue reading)

AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER AND HOPD RULE

CMS has released the 2021 proposed payment rule for ASCs and HOPDs today. Overall, ASCs received inflation update factor of 3% similar to HOPDs, whereas conversion factor remains $48.984 for ASCs compared to $83.697 for HOPD.(continue reading)

HHS Secretary Azar promises Telehealth to be Permanent

As you know, ASIPP has been in the forefront and continuing our advocacy to make telehealth permanent for all insurers and all payers. In addition, we have also been trying to keep telephone only at the same price as face-to-face or telehealth visits...(continue reading)

SBA Disaster Loan Process and Employee Retention Credit Updates and Reminders

On behalf of ASIPP, we would like to remind members of additional financing, SBA disaster loan options, and the Employee Retention Credit Programs designed for economic relief for practices/businesses suffering economic losses from Covid-19. For those who may feel the PPP Loans/Medicare Advanced Payments are not enough to fund operations through the crisis, there is another SBA program that could help you. (continue reading)

ASIPP's Response to CDC Proposed Revision of Opioid Guidelines

There have been numerous changes since the CDC guidelines were first published. During this time, HHS Inter-Agency Task Force developed Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations. This is an excellent document with significant importance to interventional pain management. (continue reading)

Facet Joint Interventions Guidelines Released June 8, 2020

Manchikanti and 37 distinguished co-authors from multiple institutions have published “Comprehensive Evidence-based Guidelines for Facet Joint Interventions in Management of Chronic Spinal Pain (continue reading)

Good News About Telehealth and Payroll Protection Program

We received a letter from Tracy Richardson, Acting Director, Financial Services Group, Office of Financial Management, Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Services, addressed to ASIPP in reference to confirming their position on telehealth and duration of waivers. (cont. reading)

ASIPP Member Update May 29, 2020

Updated News on Stimulus, Telehealth, CAC Meeting, and Guidelines

Click here to read the latest update

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