UCI Health expert: spine surgeons must advocate on behalf of patients
Policymakers need education on impact of changes to insurance, reimbursement
August 04, 2023
Dr. Nitin Bhatia is an internationally recognized leader in spinal
surgery. He is the chief of UCI Health Orthopedic Surgery
Services and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery
at the UCI School of Medicine.
IN THE NEWS: UCI Health spine surgeon Dr. Nitin Bhatia recently answered a question posed by Becker’s Spine Review: “What’s one thing spine surgeons are not doing enough today?”
Bhatia said changes related to reimbursement, government policies and insurance approval process could negatively impact patient care.
“While patients also need to advocate for themselves, the spine surgeon community must work together to ensure that we can continue to provide our patients high-level care in a consistent manner by educating our policymakers about the negative effects of these changes on our patients' lives.”
Bhatia, an internationally recognized leader in spinal surgery, is the chief of UCI Health Orthopedic Surgery Services and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the UCI School of Medicine.
He has expertise in all areas of spinal pathology, including adult and pediatric scoliosis, complex spine surgery, degenerative cervical disorders, thoracic and lumbar spine, minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedic surgery (bone/joint/spine), robot-assisted spine surgery, spinal stenosis and spinal tumors. He is an author or co-author of numerous publications.
To make an appointment with UCI Health Orthopedic Surgery Services, call 714-456-7012.
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