Boston, Mass., March 20, 2017 – The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) will develop a report assessing the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of certain non-pharmacologic, non-invasive interventions for chronic low back and neck pain. A preliminary list of interventions will be posted as part of a draft scoping document scheduled to be released for public comment on April 10, 2017.
An “Open Input” period begins today, and comments on the topic will be accepted from all interested stakeholders until April 5, 2017 at 5PM ET. The Open Input period is intended to allow stakeholders to share key information relevant to the development of the scope of the evidence report. During this time, ICER will also contact key patient groups and clinical experts to gain further insights.
For more information about the Open Input period, including a further explanation of the types of information that may be most helpful to development of the report, visit ICER’s website. ICER’s Patient Participation Guide and Patient Guide to Open Input provide information for patients and patient groups. There are no page limits to Open Input submissions, and input received will be incorporated throughout report development. All input can be emailed to publiccomments@icer-review.org and must be received by 5PM ET on April 5, 2017 in order to be considered.
A Draft Scoping Document, which will provide more detail on ICER’s proposed scope for the review, will be available on or about April 10, 2017 and will be open to public comment for three weeks.
The report will be the subject of an October 2017 meeting of the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF). During the meeting, the independent panel will deliberate and vote on the comparative clinical effectiveness and benefits or disadvantages of the treatments included in the review. The panel will discuss the implications of the votes for policy and practice with a roundtable including clinical experts and patients to provide guidance to patients, clinicians, insurers, and policymakers in making informed, evidence-based decisions related to treatment and management of chronic low back and neck pain.
- Open Input Period: March 20 -April 5, 2017
- Draft Scoping Document Posted: April 10, 2017
- Public Comment: April 10-April 28, 2017
- Revised Scoping Document Posted: May 8, 2017
- Draft Evidence Report Posted: August 15, 2017
- Public Comment: August 15-September 12, 2017
- Evidence Report Posted: October 4, 2017
- Public Meeting: October 19, 2017
- Final Report Posted: November 2, 2017
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent non-profit research institute that produces reports analyzing the evidence on the effectiveness and value of drugs and other medical services. ICER’s reports include evidence-based calculations of prices for new drugs that accurately reflect the degree of improvement expected in long-term patient outcomes, while also highlighting price levels that might contribute to unaffordable short-term cost growth for the overall health care system.
ICER’s reports incorporate extensive input from all stakeholders and are the subject of public hearings through three core programs: the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF), the Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (Midwest CEPAC), and the New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (New England CEPAC). These independent panels review ICER’s reports at public meetings to deliberate on the evidence and develop recommendations for how patients, clinicians, insurers, and policymakers can improve the quality and value of health care. For more information about ICER, please visit ICER’s website.