Announcements

NASS is heading to Washington DC as part of the Alliance for Specialty Medicine fly-in next week. 

Join the conversation in a Twitter Town Hall event from your smartphone or laptop on Tuesday night, at 8:00 pm ET!

Follow us at #SpecialtyDocs & our #ASMChat on 7/18, 8-10pm ET. Join the Thunderclap at http://thndr.me/XSLWgr

Social media becomes a bigger part of the medical landscape every day. Here at NASS, we have been enhancing our social media presence to keep up with consumer demand. Please take this survey to tell us about your social media usage and what you'd like to see. Those who complete the short survey will be eligible to win a Starbucks gift card!

Coverage recommendations for Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems have just been released! NASS offers all coverage recommendations in an easy-to-use, individual chapter format. This valuable resource is free to all NASS members and payors and available for $395 per chapter to others.

Should NASS develop a new community in SpineConnect for research-related topics? Members, please provide your feedback about if you would be interested in participating in this community and/or what topics/features this community should include.

Renew your membership by 12/31 to receive exclusive access to the "Best of NASS: 2016" e-pub which will include many of the most popular articles and resources from NASS during 2016.

The NASS Board of Directors, in compliance with NASS bylaws, employs a public vote for approval of new members. Members have 30 days from the date of publication to cast their ballot. The latest list of candidates will be available for review starting November 1. Deadline for objections is December 1.

CMS today released its much anticipated final rule with comment period implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization ACT (MACRA). This rule addresses the implementation of the Merit-based Incentive Program (MIPS) and alternative payment models (APMs) as part of the Medicare Quality Payment Program. The final rule and an executive summary can be found at: https://qpp.cms.gov/education.

NASS will be analyzing and preparing information for our members. In the meantime, we would like to make you aware of a CMS developed informational website that will help provide information and education on the MIPS and APMs programs.

Coverage recommendations for four new topics, Coccygectomy, DNA-Based Scoliosis Test, Electrical Stimulation for Bone Healing, and Facet Joint Interventions, have just been published. NASS is now offering all coverage recommendations in an individual chapter format for each topic. This valuable resource is free to all NASS members and payors and available for $395 per chapter to others.

Members, renew before 12/31/16 to receive the Best of NASS: 2016 e-pub!

NASS members may now sign up for automatic renewal of their membership dues for the 2017 membership-year. This convenient option allows members to have their dues processed automatically each October for the upcoming membership year. Members interested in this option must sign up by September 20, 2016 to be eligible for 2017 membership payment through this program.

A few spots remain open for the Ultrasound and Fluoroscopic Guided Lumbar Procedures Workshop on October 29-30 in Singapore. Reserve your spot today!