Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1521114
36 ORTHOPEDICS New spine codes to further clarify back pain By Carly Behm New updates in the family of ICD-10-CM codes will provide further specifications for back pain. e ICD-10 Coding Committee released a new set of diagnostic codes to specifically describe intervertebral disc degeneration with discogenic pain, a spokesperson for the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery told Becker's. e payment rule was released April 10 and will take effect Oct. 1. ISASS has advocated for these changes in the past. In 2023, the society requested an update during a public forum. Spine surgeon Morgan Lorio, MD, ISASS' chair of coding and reimbursement task force and incoming president, has been at the forefront of the push. "e impact of these new ICD-10 codes for discogenic low back pain on spinal interventions and treatment is expected to be positive, leading to more personalized, effective, and accessible care for patients with spinal disorders," Dr. Lorio said. "ese codes represent a significant advancement in the field that has the potential to benefit both patients and providers alike." Dr. Lorio said in a statement to Becker's benefits of the new codes are: 1. Precision in diagnosis: Healthcare providers will have clearer criteria for diagnosing discogenic low back pain, allowing for more precise identification of the underlying pathology. is can guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes by ensuring that interventions are targeted to the specific cause of the pain. 2. Tailored treatment approaches: With a better understanding of the specific nature of discogenic low back pain, clinicians can tailor treatment approaches to individual patients. is may involve a combination of conservative therapies, minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions, depending on the severity and characteristics of the condition. 3. Innovation and research: e availability of standardized codes can stimulate innovation and research in the field of spinal interventions. Researchers may be motivated to develop new techniques, devices and therapies aimed at addressing discogenic low back pain more effectively, knowing that there is a clearer pathway for reimbursement and utilization. 4. Expanded access to advanced therapies: Reimbursement pathways for disc restoration, regeneration, and arthroplasty can increase access to advanced therapies for patients with discogenic low back pain. is may include regenerative medicine techniques, motion-preserving implants and other cutting-edge interventions that were previously underutilized due to reimbursement barriers. 5. Improved documentation and communication: Standardized coding for discogenic low back pain enhances documentation and communication between healthcare providers, insurers and regulatory agencies. is can streamline administrative processes, facilitate accurate billing and reimbursement and ensure that patients receive appropriate care based on established guidelines and protocols. n Orthopedics lean into mental health By Carly Behm O rthopedic surgeons train to treat the musculoskeletal system. In recent years they have also explored ways to address mental health. This year, Atlanta-based Alliance Spine and Pain Centers mental and behavioral healthcare into their services. The practice implemented a regular behavioral health screening for all of its patients using MHT's SmarTest platform. The platform identifies patients who indicate mental health concerns, and patients are asked if they would like to speak with a clinician at behavioral health provider LifeStance Health, an MHT partner. Since launching the platform, Alliance Spine has screened 8,002 patients, and 21% were flagged for mental health concerns. Hospitals are also exploring ways to address mental health in orthopedic patients. In October, Wysa, an artificial intelligence-guided mental health platform, was launched at The Living Well Center of Washington University in St. Louis, Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and the University of California San Francisco's orthopedic department. Research has shown that mental health and orthopedic patient outcomes can be connected, Jose Canseco, MD, PhD, of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute said. "We did publish a study a couple of years ago where we're looking at patients that were diagnosed with some form of psychiatric disorder, either anxiety or depression and if that affected their outcomes in spine surgery," he told Becker's. "We found people with a co-diagnosis of depression or anxiety have worse outcomes after spine surgery, and it is all related to the way that they see their disease progressing. If you're depressed and you're in pain even after surgery, you're going to feel worse than if you're not depressed after surgery. Right now for patients with anxiety and depression, we try to communicate with their primary care providers or with their mental health providers and see if there's any optimization they can get prior to surgery." Dr. Canseco is also the principal investigator of a study underway that is looking into cognitive behavioral therapy in orthopedic patients using virtual reality technology. n