AARP reported that Medicare is reevaluating its decision to cover spine operations performed at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). According to the article, the evaluation stems from questioning whether or not these procedures are safe and effective if performed outside of a hospital.

HSS surgeon-in-chief Todd J. Albert, MD, offered his perspective. "I think [the decision] should be on a case-by-case basis, and there are certainly spine cases that are appropriate for an ASC," he said.

Dr. Albert added that complicated cases that require specialized equipment and either monitoring after the surgery or an overnight stay should be done in a hospital.

Read the full article at aarp.org.

Additional Coverage:

• Orthopedics This Week: MEDICARE REEVALUATING SPINE SURGERIES AT ASCS