NASS Supports Ending Insurance Denials for Cervical Fusion Surgeries

The North American Spine Society (NASS) has joined several other medical and spine organizations in signing a multi-society position statement supporting an immediate end to insurance denials of vital medical implants used in common neck surgeries.

Billed under CPT code 22853, these implants have long been considered a standard component of cervical fusion surgeries. They are frequently recognized as medically necessary to maintain stability, rebuild spinal alignment, and promote fusion after neural decompression.

“For many years, the use of interbody biomechanical devices such as PEEK or titanium cages have been part of the standard armamentarium surgeons employ when performing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries to help our patients regain their quality of life,” NASS President William Mitchell said. “We must do everything we can to ensure these commonly used devices are covered by insurance without restrictions and remain a tool that surgeons can employ to help patients.”

NASS joins the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in petitioning for an immediate end to insurance denials for CPT code 22853. The organizations’ concerns include reported denials involving CPT code 22853 within certain Medicare Advantage Plans, including Aetna policies affecting cervical fusion procedures. In addition to signing the position statement, the participating societies are continuing collaborative advocacy efforts to ensure patient access to evidence-based cervical fusion care and to preserve appropriate physician decision-making.

NASS is a global multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, ethical, evidenced-based and value-based spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of nearly 8,000 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, radiology, anesthesiology, research and physical therapy.