CoreLink, LLC, a leading designer and manufacturer of spinal implant systems, today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made changes in the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that affects surgeons completing SI joint procedures.
Effective January 1, 2020, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes an increased payment of 27% for minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedures. As part of this update, the CPT code 27279 will increase unadjusted surgeon pay from $720 to $915 per procedure. This change is based on relevant surgeon feedback concerning the work and effort required for the procedure.
Additionally, Cigna has issued a positive medical coverage policy for minimally invasive SI joint fusion when specific criteria is met. These policy changes effective as of December 10, 2019, will allow surgeons to move forward with minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedures when deemed medically necessary.
CoreLink offers the Entasis® Lateral SI Joint Fusion System, designed for minimally invasive SI joint fusion procedures. The system provides an array of joint stabilizing compression screw options and a patented stackable wire designed to give surgeons streamlined instruments and constant proximal control during every step of the procedure.
CoreLink also offers the SIber™ Posterior SI Allograft System. SIber is designed for fusion of the SI joint at the bottom of long spinal constructs as well as traditional Posterior SI fusion surgeries.