Advocacy & Policy Reform

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) has submitted formal comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule. While supporting increased reimbursement for office-based procedures, telehealth expansion, and chronic care management updates, ASPN strongly opposes certain value-based care provisions that could disadvantage smaller practices. The Society also calls for a taxonomy-based modifier to ensure fair reimbursement for pain specialists, greater transparency in CMS data and audit processes, and protections against efficiency adjustments that may reduce payments for pain procedures. ASPN emphasizes the need for policies that sustain independent practices, promote innovation, and preserve patient access to high-quality pain management care.

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) has submitted a formal response to Carelon’s proposed restrictions on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for non-surgical low back pain. Backed by robust clinical evidence and expert consensus, ASPN urges Carelon to revise its policy to reflect modern pain management standards and ensure patients receive timely, effective care.

The American Society of Pain & Neuroscience (ASPN) challenges the recent BMJ guideline that opposes interventional procedures for chronic spine pain. This response highlights significant methodological flaws, statistical errors, and bias within the BMJ publication, advocating for scientific integrity and patient access to effective pain management.

This ASPN position statement outlines the appropriate training, scope, and standards for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures of the spine and peripheral nerves. It emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, patient safety, and evidence-based practices.