AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain

Official account of AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain. Advancing the science and neurosurgical treatment of acute and chronic pain. Tweets are not medical advice

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

Please join this important webinar about #MDUFA.

This is something that influences many factors in the device space and most people don't know much about it

This is a tremendous panel of experts!

[Joshua Rosenow @joshuarosenowMD]

#MDUFA is a little known part of the relationship between med device industry and fed govt. However, it touches all aspects of device #regulation and #innovation

Join this discussion about the program and issues surrounding current negotiations

@NeurosurgeryNM
@ASSFNeurosurg

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

ICYMI: Congress put a spotlight on physician-owned hospitals today.

During a House Judiciary Committee field hearing on competition in health care, Brian Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, highlighted the federal restrictions that prevent new POHs from participating in Medicare and existing facilities from expanding.

His testimony cited 30 years of research showing that POHs can deliver higher-quality care, and called on policymakers to reconsider federal policies that restrict physician-led competition. 👏

The AANS and CNS have long advocated for removing these barriers and expanding opportunities for POHs.

🎥 Watch the hearing: https://t.co/aq2VHF0uwN

@physicianhosp @DrBrian4Health @spinesection @

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

We have a few ideas. Looking forward to submitting comments!

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

Thank you to the bipartisan Physician Caucuses for meeting with leadership from the AANS/CNS Washington Committee to discuss the challenges facing physicians and the patients they serve.

We appreciate your leadership in advancing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act to the House floor and for sharing the bipartisan vision behind the Patients First Act. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to refine the legislation, strengthen provisions that support neurological patients, and advance policies that improve patient access to timely, high-quality care.
#NeurosurgeryAdvocates

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

A major step forward for healthcare providers and the patients we serve. Administrative burdens continue to drive physician burnout and stall timely medical interventions.

Thank you to @WaysandMeansGOP @WaysMeansCmte for advancing this critical bill. Has prior auth disrupted your practice or delayed care for your patients? Share your story using the link below.

#PriorAuthorization #fixpriorauth @painsection @councilsns @councilsns @CNS_Update @spinesection @cvsection @AANSNeuro @AANSCNStrauma

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

🚨👏👏👏 LET'S GO! #FixPriorAuth

Today's markup includes the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act — a bipartisan, bicameral, commonsense bill to modernize and increase transparency in the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process.

After years of advocacy and overwhelming support from patients, physicians, manufacturers, state agencies, health plans, and other stakeholders across the health care sector, we're encouraged to see Congress advance this legislation.

Huge thanks to the leadership of @HouseCommerce and @EnergyCommerce, and especially our legislative champions @MikeKellyPA, @RepDelBene, @RepJohnJoyce, and @RepBera!

Read more in the @regrelief press release 👉 https://t.co/n2SDjvMV5I

@CNS_Update @AANSNeuro @councilsns @spinesection @painsection @cvsection

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

We applaud @AmerMedicalAssn recent actions

res 109 calls for support for insurance coverage of neuromodulation for pain in the peds population

Res 713 call for ending restrictive #priorauth for SCS/PNS

Let's make sure how patients have access to care
@AANSNeuro
@CNS_Update

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

This week, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2027 Labor-HHS spending bill, prioritizing NIH funding and preserving NIH's ability to forward-fund multiyear research awards - an important step toward ensuring lifesaving research continues without disruption.

The AANS and CNS were proud to stand alongside nearly 600 organizations supporting robust NIH funding and policies that allow researchers to pursue the next generation of cures and treatments.

Read the joint statement from our coalition here 👉 https://t.co/CP2Sf9lw2P

@AANSNeuro @CNS_Update @councilsns @cvsection @spinesection @PedsSection @painsection

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

Thanks for doing the work!

[Joshua Rosenow @joshuarosenowMD]

All star team!

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

ICYMI: Some insurers are denying implants commonly used in neck/spine surgery by labeling them “experimental” — despite decades of use and broad clinical support.

Washington Committee member Luis Manuel Tumialán, MD, and spine surgery leaders are calling for coverage policies grounded in evidence-based medicine and clinical expertise — not outdated insurer guidelines.

Read more 👇
https://t.co/5LWby8GNLv

@TUMI4L4N @spinesection @AANS_President @AANSNeuro @CNS_Update

[NANS Official @NANS_ION]

🧠 NANS has published a new consensus curriculum for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implantation training.

Developed by a NANS Educ Committee subcommittee led by Dr. Jeffrey Raskin, the curriculum outlines competency progression across 57 dimensions for DBS surgeons and trainees.

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

🚨 FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, will deliver the Charles L. Plante Lecture at #AANS2026.

The AANS/CNS Washington Committee secured his participation as part of its ongoing work to bring national leaders to neurosurgery’s premier forums and advance the shared mission of @AANSNeuro and @CNS_Update.

He will be joined in conversation by Washington Committee Chair Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA.

Don't miss out. Join us on Friday, May 1, in San Antonio!

[Katie O'Meara Orrico @KatieOrrico]

Medical liability and the use (or lack of use) of #AI in patient care remains uncharted territory but is of critical importance to high-risk specialties, like #neurosurgery, which already face significant medical liability risk.

https://t.co/1zDiRzlKsb

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

@StaudtMD @UHhospitals @UHCLENeurosurg @NANS_ION The angle of entry in the upper thoracic and lower cervical spine for a cervical SCS electrode dictates this very steep approach. Care is required to avoid injuring the spinal cord

Mastering this technique allows one to treat more patients with this valuable therapy

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

#fixpriorauth

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

@DrDamienFair Great work! Can you please post functional links for the full article?

[YPC @youngpatients]

Dr Mike Staudt, neurosurgeon from Case Western / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, talking about neuromodulation and peripheral nerve stimulation

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

ICYMI: #fixpriorauth in #MedicareAdvantage is back on the table thanks to @RogerMarshallMD @MarkWarner @SuzanDelBene @MikeKellyPA @RepBera and @RepJohnJoyce!

Congress: No need for complex navigation. This one’s a straight shot!

✅ Bipartisan support
✅ Zero cost
✅ 500+ orgs behind it
✅ Real fixes, ready to implement

Read our press release here👉https://t.co/0m8r107LfU

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

#Neurosurgeon Brian R. Gantwerker, MD of @cscla, calls for increased #Medicare reimbursement for spine procedures. For over twenty years, reimbursements have been on the decline despite the technical difficulty of these operations and the extensive postoperative, unreimbursed care involved.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/u6QQFexYL0

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

He will be missed. Mike was a great friend of the @painsection. He was a frequent lecturer and debater in our sessions on Neuromodulation vs structural surgery for spinal pain

[AANS/CNS Spine Section @spinesection]

We are heartbroken to share the tragic news of the sudden passing of Dr. Michael Groff, his wife Dr. Joy Saini, their daughter Karenna, their son Jared, and two close family friends in a plane crash near Copake, New York.

A dedicated neurosurgeon, educator, and leader, Mike earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at Mount Sinai. Following a spine fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, he devoted his career to advancing spinal neurosurgery. He served as Division Chief of Neurosurgery Spine and Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital from 2011 to 2024 and was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. In 2024, he became the Executive Medical Director of Neuroscience at Rochester Regional Health. He was also in the process of completing his MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management—further reflecting his dedication to leadership and innovation in healthcare.

Mike’s leadership was deeply felt across the neurosurgical community. He served as Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, led the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) as Chair, and contributed to the JNS:Spine Editorial Board from 2016–2021, including as co-chair in 2021. Over his career, he authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and was widely recognized for his thoughtful and impactful contributions to the field.

Those who knew Mike remember his wisdom, humility, and warmth. He was a devoted husband and father.

We extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones and all who were fortunate to know and work alongside Mike. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched—patients, colleagues, trainees, and friends alike.

@CNSResidents @CNS_Update @AANSNeuro @NREFORG