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INDEX Leadership p.8 Practice Management p. 17 Device & Innovation p. 20 Where Spine Surgery & Innovation is Headed 10 spine surgeons discuss big roadblocks and opportunities for the future. p. 8 Spine Surgery for Medicare Approved in ASCs Dr. Richard Wohns talks about why this is a positive step for spine surgeons. p. 17 False Claims Act Update Learn more about five of the biggest developments in 2014 p. 25 50 Things to Know About Spine Markets The market reports for domestic and international spine device arenas over the next five years. p. 30 Public Healthcare Policy 101 for Spine Surgeons — What to Know for 2015 By Laura Dyrda Politics and public policy has long had an impact on health- care, which has only become more significant since the Pa- tient Protection and Affordable Care Act was implemented. Many physicians and medical professionals have undergone significant changes to meet regulatory requirements and survive market place evolution. Several spine-focused professional medical organization and advocacy groups, have reached out to legislators to advocate 10 Observations on Spine Tech Innovation: Are We Entering the Dark Ages? By Laura Dyrda The spine industry has experienced a Renaissance period for the past few decades where innovation truly disrupted the old open spine surgeries of the past, making procedures less risky and painful. Ad- vancement in fusion technology, motion preserva- tion and less invasive procedures dominated recent advancements and additional biologic and regenera- tive solutions could be on the horizon. As healthcare switches from a fee- for-service model to global pay- ments, surgeons are seeing less com- pensation per episode of care. As a result, more surgeons are signing employment contracts with hospi- tals, and health systems are acquiring physician practices. But that doesn't necessarily mean the surgeon will be able to practice as usual; even hospital-employed surgeons and physician champions are faced with quality and cost road- blocks to providing care for patients. Here are five observations on the changes spine surgeons see in stra- tegic planning, cost analysis and care delivery in the future. 1. Physician preferred implants aren't always given the green light. "There is a diminishing role of the surgeon champion saying they want a certain product or technique that costs more," says Kern Singh, MD, Co-Founder of the Minimally Inva- sive Spine Institute at Rush in Chica- go. "Now a pedicle screw is a pedicle screw; a plate is a plate. The hospital isn't going to pay more for the device just because it's new." 2. Hospital partnerships with phy- sicians are gaining momentum. continued on page 20 continued on page 7 continued on page 6 37 Spine Surgeons Under 40 to Know, pg. 26 SPINE REVIEW January 2015 • Vol. 2015 No. 1 Global Payments are Changing Spine Care — 5 Key Observations By Laura Dyrda 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine June 11-13, 2015 Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel • Chicago, IL 80+ Surgeons Speaking & 108 Sessions For more information, visit www.beckersspine.com or call (800) 417-2035. SPINE REVIEW