Mission
ICER's mission is to lead innovation in comparative effectiveness research through methods that integrate considerations of clinical benefit and economic value. Through a unique collaboration with patients, clinicians, manufacturers, insurers and other healthcare stakeholders, ICER develops tools to support patient decisions and medical policy that share the goal of achieving maximum value for every healthcare dollar.
| ICER's President Interviewed for Kaiser Health News Article |
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New Group To Set Priorities for Medical Effectiveness Research But That May Be The Easy Part
By Julie Appleby
Kaiser Health News
January 16, 2012
More than two years ago, studies found that injection of medical cement into compression fractures of the spine produced no better pain relief than "sham" injections.
Yet doctors continue to perform the $5,000-plus procedure and most insurers, including Medicare, still cover it.
The continued use of spinal cement injections is a cautionary tale for those who hope to slow the rise of health care spending by compiling evidence about what works and what doesn’t.
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