CMS Includes Endoscopic Spine in Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for CY 2017

Baltimore, MD – July 14, 2016– The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the proposed rules for the 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS). Both proposed rules provide information on physician and hospital payment for the newly created CPT code 630X1 for endoscopic decompression of the lumbar spine.

“This is a great step towards the acceptance of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and their benefits to both the surgeon and their patients in the U.S.,” said Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®. This announcement is in alignment with the reimbursement decision of NICE, UK, in April of 2016, to fully reimburse endoscopic procedures.

A key reason for the recent momentum for endoscopic, minimally invasive spinal surgery is the significant, favorable base of literature, which validates evidence of the efficacy of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery. A special edition, “Neurosurgical Focus”, published by the Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) in February 2016, contains a range of studies on endoscopic spine surgery.

About joimax®

Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2001, joimax® is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery. With the Endoscopic Surgical Systms TESSYS® (transforaminal), iLESSYS® (interlaminar) and CESSYS® (cervical) for decompression procedures, MultiZYTE® for facet and sacroiliac joint pain treatment, EndoLIF® and Percusys® for minimally invasive endoscopically assisted stabilizations, established systems are provided, addressing a whole range of indications. All methods are supported by the latest generation electronical devices in the all new NAVENTO® navigated endoscopic tower. In procedures for herniated discs, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax® technologies to operate through small incisions under local or full anesthesia, via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors, and through natural openings in the spinal canal, e.g., the intervertebral foramen, the so-called "Kambin triangle".

Contacts

Press Contact Germany

joimax® GmbH

Antje Paulsen

antje.paulsen@joimax.com

+49-721-25514-214

Press Contact USA

joimax®, Inc.

Jose Elguera

jose.elguera@joimaxusa.com

+1 (949) 859 3472 301