SUBJECT: NASS Draft Model Coverage Policy on Percutaneous Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
Dear Dr. Truumees:
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological
Surgeons (CNS) and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
(DSPN), we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the North American Spine Society (NASS) draft
model coverage policy recommendation for percutaneous sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion.
We are concerned about the tone and several specific items in the coverage policy that, taken together,
limit our ability to support the coverage recommendation. First, the arguments and clinical data to
support percutaneous SI joint fusion are contradictory. Additionally, the recommendation that
percutaneous SI joint fusion is a safe and cost-effective treatment for SI joint pain is weak. Finally, the
fact that this is a surgical — albeit percutaneous — alteration of spinal anatomy is not appropriately
addressed.
Read full letter here
