TY - JOUR T1 - ISASS Recommendations and Coverage Criteria for Bone Graft Substitutes used in Spinal Surgery JF - International Journal of Spine Surgery JO - Int J Spine Surg DO - 10.14444/5095 SP - 5095 AU - Celeste Abjornson AU - Antonio Brecevich AU - Tucker Callanan AU - Christina Dowe AU - Frank P. Cammisa, JR AU - Morgan P. Lorio Y1 - 2018/12/01 UR - http://ijssurgery.com//content/early/2018/12/19/5095.abstract N2 - Autologous bone graft remains the gold standard by which bone graft substitutes are compared in spine fusion surgery. The utilization of bone graft substitutes, either as (1) an extender for spinal fusion constructs or (2) an alternative to minimize morbidity while maximizing outcomes, is changing. Moreover, current procedures technology (CPT) code 20939 became effective in 2018 defining bone marrow aspirate for bone grafting, spine surgery only. Changes in the complex landscape of grafting materials have prompted ISASS to provide category guidance for bone graft substitutes by comparing and contrasting US regulatory pathways, mechanisms of action, and supportive clinical evidence for these bone grafting materials. ER -