Written by Megan Wood
When considering adding spine to an ASC, Nick Shamie, MD, of Santa Monica-based UCLA Spine Center, recommends surgeons check coverage for specific procedures. Payers may not cover certain procedures a surgeon wishes to perform, in which case the cash prices must be affordable for patients. 
“I think the one issue with these novel technologies is coverage, because some insurance companies won’t cover,” says Dr. Shamie.
He recommends a few novel procedures that fit well within the outpatient setting. “There are some novel techniques that I think are going to be helpful because of vey little risk of injury to structures,” says Dr. Shamie.
For cervical stenosis procedures, Dr. Shamie places a spacer between facet joints to elevate the bones and free up the nerve. “You don’t have to make any incision that you have to look through, because it’s done percutaneously,” he says.