Meditech - Howie Bartz

11/03/2015

Results of Widespread Prepayment Review of Claims for Lumbar-Sacral Orthoses, HCPCS Codes L0631/L0637

DME MAC Jurisdiction A has completed the widespread prepayment review of claims for Lumbar-Sacral Orthoses (HCPCS codes L0631 and L0637). These findings include claims processed primarily from June 2015 through August 2015.

The review involved prepayment complex medical review of 1,068 claims submitted by 357 suppliers. Responses to the Additional Documentation Request (ADR) were not received for 500 (47%) of the claims. For the remaining 568 claims, 17 claims were allowed and 551 claims were denied resulting in a claim denial rate of 97%. The overall CDR was 95.5%.

https://howiebartz.wordpress.com/2015/11/03/results-of-widespread-prepayment-review-of-claims-for-lumbar-sacral-orthoses-hcpcs-codes-l0631l0637/

DME MAC Jurisdiction A has completed the widespread prepayment review of claims for Lumbar-Sacral Orthoses (HCPCS codes L0631 and L0637). These findings include claims processed primarily from June...

10/16/2015

Pharmacogenetics and Pain Management – Clinical Use and Interpretation of the Common Pharmacogenetic Tests

In recent years, pharmacogenetic testing has become more common in pain management. During this time, a few cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes have been identified as being particularly important to the metabolism of certain pharmaceutical agents commonly used in pain treatment, such as opioids, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory agents. This article presents an up-to-date status and review of the pharmacogenetic markers that have relevance to pain practice.

http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/resources/diagnostic-tests/pharmacogenetics-pain-management

This article presents an up-to-date status and review of the clinical use and interpretation of the common pharmacogenetic markers that have relevance to pain management.

10/13/2015

Back pain is often a result of the aging process for many people, but there are steps you can take to keep your back strong and healthy.

“As you age, your back undergoes degenerative changes,” says Garrett Helber DO. Most people refer to these changes as arthritis, which include disk degeneration, spinal canal narrowing and enlargement of the joints of the spine. As a result, some people may experience pain, although there are many that do not,” he says.

http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/09/got-back-pain-try-superman-3-exercises/

Back pain is often a normal part of aging, but don’t take it lying down. Find out how you can strengthen your back and avoid or minimize pain.

10/08/2015

Nonpharmacologic Treatment for Long-Term Neck Pain

A Swedish study is set to analyze the effect of massage and exercise therapy on subacute and long-lasting neck pain, which is a pesky, costly, and potentially debilitating condition. According to the researchers, between half and three quarters of people with current neck pain will report neck pain again one to five years later. In addition, half of all work-related injuries reported in Sweden involve disorders of the muscles and joints. This makes the socio-economic impact of neck pain extensive, and the overall costs in terms of lost productivity and quality of life very high.

http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/stay-tuned-nonpharmacologic-treatment-of-long-term-neck-pain

A Swedish study is set to analyze the effect of massage and exercise therapy on subacute and long-lasting neck pain, according to an article in Trials. While both massage and exercise therapy are widely used for neck pain, there is little clinical evidence on the effectiveness of these treatments. E…

09/30/2015

How to Treat Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Otherwise Known as Runner’s Knee

In medical terminology, “runners knee” is called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It is a problem that responds very well to physiotherapy treatment and there is a reasonable amount of research evidence behind what we do. The pain arises from around or under the patella (knee-cap) and can be as a result of it not tracking properly in its groove. There are some common risk factors that can affect how the patella tracks.

Read the full article here: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2015/sep/30/running-into-problems-runners-knee-physiotherapist

Continuing our series of common running injuries and how to treat them, physiotherapist Rebecca Christenson examines runner’s knee

09/24/2015

Back Pain Patients Seek Pain Relief First, Mobility Second

The study’s authors focused on nearly 270 patients who had trouble standing and walking and suffered from chronic back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. The participants were asked to choose between a therapy that reduced their pain and one that would enable them to stand and walk. Nearly 80 percent of the patients said they would rather have relief from their pain than greater mobility, the study published recently in Neurology found.

Read more here: http://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/backache-news-53/pain-relief-top-concern-for-those-with-lower-back-pain-703179.html

Nearly 80 percent of patients chose easing discomfort over greater movement, research shows

09/21/2015

Prescription painkillers have been linked to addiction and death. More than two-thirds of the 22,767 drug-related overdoses in 2013 involved opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The panel, convened by the National Institutes of Health, released its findings in a report published Jan. 12.

http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11705-nih-panel-on-opioid-use-calls-for-individualized-treatment-for-americans-in-pain

Bethesda, MD – Until more research is conducted on the safety and effectiveness of opioid painkillers, the health care community should focus on individualized care for the one-third of Americans who experience chronic pain, an independent panel of medical experts has concluded.

09/14/2015

Treatment Options to Manage Pain from Compression Fractures

A medical procedure known as a kyphoplasty or vertebral augmentation is very effective for patients with a spinal compression fracture. Patients usually wake up from the procedure with significantly less pain than they had before. However, there may still be some minor pain or discomfort, so physicians often prescribe a back brace for additional support.

You can purchase a brace at a medical supply store, but it requires a prescription for a proper lumbosacral orthosis device. “Usually the braces that are sold in the pharmacies are not sufficient to treat the compression,” Dr. Samuel says.

Read more here: http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/09/brittle-bones-can-lead-back-pain-especially-menopause/

Have you ever bent over to grab something only to be paralyzed by sharp back pain? If you haven't had a fall or experienced any other trauma and you're beyond age 60, another possible reason is a compression fracture. It's more common in postmenopausal women, but it can happen in men too.

09/09/2015

New Study: Does taking opioids for back pain delay return to work?

Being prescribed an opioid for low back pain may keep workers off the job longer, according to a new study from McMaster University. Researchers analyzed 1,442 claims from the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and found that workers receiving disability benefits for low back pain were more likely to stay on claim if they received opioids. Back pain is a common problem among working adults in North America, with a lifetime prevalence of 63% and a point prevalence of 21%. After the common cold, low back pain (LBP) is the most frequent cause of lost time from work. Globally, LBP is the primary cause of years lived with disability.

Access the full study here: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/8/e007836.full?sid=2934fde8-468c-493c-9b9c-06914e1f0003

Objective To assess the association between early reimbursement for physiotherapy, chiropractic and opioid prescriptions for acute low back pain (LBP) with disability claim duration.

09/03/2015

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Facet Joint Interventions in Managing Chronic Spinal Pain

The therapeutic spinal facet joint interventions generally used for the treatment of axial spinal pain of facet joint origin are intraarticular facet joint injections, facet joint nerve blocks, and radiofrequency neurotomy. Despite interventional procedures being common as treatment strategies for facet joint pathology, there is a paucity of literature investigating these therapeutic approaches. Systematic reviews assessing the effectiveness of various therapeutic facet joint interventions have shown there to be variable evidence based on the region and the modality of treatment utilized.

http://painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MjM2NA%3D%3D

08/31/2015

How Much Do Spinal Steroid Injections Ease Low Back Pain?

Spinal epidural injections of steroids may relieve low back pain from a ruptured disc, but only briefly, a new study shows and the injections offer no significant relief for pain related to narrowing of the spaces around the spinal cord, the researchers say.

Some earlier studies have reached similar conclusions, but others have shown some benefit. Meanwhile, the use of epidural steroid injections has been increasing in the face of contradictory guidelines for physicians.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/24/us-health-backache-steroids-idUSKCN0QT2CX20150824

(Reuters Health) - Spinal epidural injections of steroids may relieve low back pain from a ruptured disc, but only briefly, a new study shows. And the injections offer no significant relief for pain related to narrowing of the spa

08/27/2015

Take These Steps Before Considering Knee Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery to trim or remove a torn meniscus — the cartilage that cushions your knees — is the most common orthopedic surgery in the United States. About 700,000 of the procedures are done each year, a 50 percent increase in the past 15 years.

But research shows that it’s often no better than physical therapy at easing symptoms. And in a New England Journal of Medicine study, patients who had sham surgery — in which surgeons made a small incision, then simulated the rest of the procedure — fared just as well as those who had the real deal. Other research shows that arthritis is more likely to develop in people who have the procedure than in those who don’t.

Bottom line: If you’re suffering age-related knee pain and an MRI scan reveals a tear, first try rest, ice, a knee brace, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/if-your-doctor-says-you-need-surgery-you-may-want-to-explore-other-options/2015/08/24/111c4120-09fe-11e5-a7ad-b430fc1d3f5c_story.html

It may be wiser to handle knee pain, for example, with drugs, physical therapy, rest or a brace.