Neurosurgery Urges CMS to Delay Implementation of Spinal Fusion MS-DRG Changes

On June 10, the AANS and the CNS provided comments on provisions in the FY 2025 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule. Specifically, neurosurgery notes that CMS has proposed to change the spinal fusion facility payment Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) to better account for what CMS has concluded is the biggest driver of cost differentials: whether the case is single or multiple levels. The AANS and the CNS recommended that CMS delay implementation of this restructuring and provide more information about the potential impact of the changes and allow additional time for review.