WSRS members:
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have become well-accepted, minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral fractures, whether due to osteoporosis or metastases. These procedures are covered by Medicare and many private payers throughout the country, including here in Washington.
However, the Health Technology Clinical Committee (HTCC) in Washington recently decided that these procedures would (again) not be covered by Medicaid (Apple Health), PEBB (for state public employees), and SEBB (for school employees). This draft decision can be found here:
If you wish to make a comment on this decision, please do so by TOMORROW (Feb. 20). Input from those of you who frequently perform these procedures would be particularly helpful. Information and guidelines on making public comments can be found here:
Thank you for your consideration.