Advocacy is one of the three pillars of ASRA Pain Medicine's mission. ASRA Pain Medicine addresses this core purpose by advocating at the regulatory level in the best interest of our members and the patients they serve. (Note: ASRA Pain Medicine does not participate in political advocacy.)
The Latest Health Policy Updates
ASRA Pain Medicine Supports Refinements to Proposed Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Policy
ASRA Pain Medicine, in collaboration with the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) and several partner medical specialty societies, recently submitted comments to National Government Services regarding the proposed Local Coverage Determination for basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) as a treatment for vertebrogenic low back pain.
The organizations expressed strong support for establishing Medicare coverage for this important treatment option, which provides a non-opioid approach for patients with chronic low back pain associated with changes in the vertebral endplate. They recommended several targeted adjustments to ensure the policy aligns with current clinical evidence and real-world practices. These recommendations include clarifying psychological screening requirements, allowing flexibility in imaging criteria when an MRI is not feasible, and ensuring that imaging findings are interpreted in the context of the patient's overall clinical presentation.
The societies also suggested updates to certain exclusion criteria, including those related to osteoporosis and radicular pain, to help avoid unintended barriers to care. Overall, these updates would help ensure appropriate patient selection while maintaining access to BVNA for Medicare beneficiaries who could benefit from this therapy.
ASRA Pain Medicine will continue to collaborate with IPSIS and partner specialty societies to ensure that coverage policies reflect the best available evidence and support appropriate patient access to care.
Read More
ASRA Pain Medicine Supports Refinements to Proposed Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Policy
ASRA Pain Medicine, in collaboration with the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) and several partner medical specialty societies, recently submitted comments to National Government Services regarding the proposed Local Coverage Determination for basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) as a treatment for vertebrogenic low back pain.
The organizations expressed strong support for establishing Medicare coverage for this important treatment option, which provides a non-opioid approach for patients with chronic low back pain associated with changes in the vertebral endplate. They recommended several targeted adjustments to ensure the policy aligns with current clinical evidence and real-world practices. These recommendations include clarifying psychological screening requirements, allowing flexibility in imaging criteria when an MRI is not feasible, and ensuring that imaging findings are interpreted in the context of the patient's overall clinical presentation.
The societies also suggested updates to certain exclusion criteria, including those related to osteoporosis and radicular pain, to help avoid unintended barriers to care. Overall, these updates would help ensure appropriate patient selection while maintaining access to BVNA for Medicare beneficiaries who could benefit from this therapy.
ASRA Pain Medicine will continue to collaborate with IPSIS and partner specialty societies to ensure that coverage policies reflect the best available evidence and support appropriate patient access to care.
Pain Medicine Coalition
ASRA Pain Medicine and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) established the Pain Medicine Coalition (PMC) in 2024 to advance the common goals of the pain medicine community and to advocate for responsible pain care for all patients. The International Pain & Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) are also members of the coalition. Its purpose is to develop, monitor, and advocate for responsible health care policy for people who experience both acute and chronic pain and the physicians who support them. They do their work through clinical care, education addressing quality of care, access to care, public and professional education, and research.
Read more about the Pain Medicine Coalition:
ASA and ASRA Pain Medicine: Speaking With One Voice
President’s Message: The Power of ASRA Pain Medicine Volunteers
Are You a Member of AMA?
The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest physician organization and works to advocate for key issues that matter in your practice such as prior authorization, Medicare reform, promoting physician-led work, and more. ASRA Pain Medicine works with the AMA to advocate for the issues that matter in your practice with representation in the AMA House of Delegates, the Relative Value Scale Update Committee, and the Current Procedural Terminology Committees. ASRA Pain Medicine provides expert information and testimony specific to regional anesthesia and acute and chronic pain.
Learn more about the benefits of membership in AMA.
Read the latest AMA news and sign up for news alerts at ama-assn.org.
Practice Management
Find more health policy information in our Practice Management Resource Center.