Section 8: Hospital Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Coding and Payment The Aspen™ Spinous Process Fixation System is part of an instrumented spinal fusion procedure. All instrumented spinal fusion procedures are on Medicare’s “Inpatient List” and thus are only covered when provided in an inpatient setting. Medicare does not cover instrumented spinal fusions in an outpatient setting. Please contact the respective payer regarding coverage and payment for this procedure by commercial insurance in the outpatient setting. It will be important to review contracts with payers to ensure they provide adequate payment for this procedure in an outpatient setting.
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