Does the ICN Accept Kickbacks From Medtronic?
Once again, ugly rumors are apparently circulating which suggest that: #1 – The ICN has accepted kickbacks from Medtronic to promote Interstim. #2 – The ICN, or myself, is upset that we have not been offered kickbacks or money from Medtronic and this is why we don’t promote Interstim. These are completely UNTRUE! Let me, YET AGAIN, set the record straight in a very brief series of Q&A. What is a kickback? A kickback is defined as an incentive or payment to a medical care provider to perform a specific medical procedure. Thus, because the ICN is not providing any medical care… it is impossible for us to receive a kickback. Yes, Medtronic settled a case with the Dept of Justice about alleged kickbacks paid TO DOCTORS for performing spinal implant surgery… and that does NOT relate to us at all. Why does the ICN offer Interstim support? I started my local IC support group in Northern California where sacral neuromodulation was first developed at UCSF Medical Center. My first group meet
