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38 HEALTHCARE REFORM Insurance Policy Change Leads to Decreased Lumbar Fusions for Certain Indications: 5 Observations By Megan Wood R esearchers analyzed a commercial insurance policy's impact in North Carolina restricting lumbar fu- sions for specific indications, according to a Spine study. e study included data from the State In- patient Database of North Carolina between 2005 and 2012, as well as the Nationwide In- patient Sample. Researchers noted the change in rates of lumbar fusion surgery for disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and revision procedures. Here are five observations: 1. Following the policy change on Jan. 1, 2011, researchers found a significant decrease in the number of lumbar fusions for disc herniation. 2. Elective lumbar fusion surgeries (per 100,000 North Carolina residents) increased from 103.2 in 2005 to 120.4 in 2009. By 2012, elective lumbar fusion surgeries decreased to 101.9. 3. e number of lumbar fusion surgeries for spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and revision procedures did not drastically increase, despite the general increasing trend. 4. Researchers found decompression without fusion increased. 5. Researchers concluded the insurance policy change resulted in a decreased number of lumbar fusions for "indications with less evidence of effectiveness without changing rates for other indications or resulting in an overall reduction in spine surgery." n Call: 888.416.2409 info@eSutures.com eSutures.com Lock in Big Savings with eSutures.com! Over 1,000 Synthes Items 30-40% Off Every Day! From individual screws, plates and instruments to complete sets, eSutures has all your surgical needs in stock, and ready to ship today! Low prices everyday, no contracts or minimum order requirements. We look forward to serving you soon! *Offer expires 12/31/16. Limit 1 per customer. Use promo code: SPINE10 for 10% OFF your order of $50 or more!* Researchers found a decrease in lumbar fusions for disc herniation. 43% of Physicians Experience Challenges Keeping Pace With Healthcare System — 5 Survey Findings By Mary Rechtoris N early 43 percent of physicians report- ed their organiza- tion found it challenging to "understand and meet goals of value and quality," according to DRG's "Tak- ing the Pulse U.S. 2016." The survey polled 2,994 physicians. Here are five more findings: 1. Of those surveyed, 13 percent of physicians re- ported conducting virtual patient consults. 2. Physicians who con- ducted virtual patient consults were more prone to visit pharma websites than overall physicians. 3. Eighty-two percent of physicians use electronic health records between patient consults. 4. Merely 27 percent of respondents reported using pharma websites between consults. 5. Of physicians polled, 85 percent are open to accessing sponsored content from pharma through online journals or websites for healthcare professionals. n