http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-florida-case-study-in-surgical-necessity/2013/10/27/5cb52864-3ce5-11e3-b6a9-da62c264f40e_graphic.html A Florida case study in surgical necessity How the hospital fees for a single procedure grew from $47 million to $2 billion a year, adjusted for inflation, in Florida. Dan Keating and Cristina Rivero October 27, 2013
NOTE: Professional societies and other experts rule out or discourage the routine use of spinal fusion for several common problems of the lower back -- stenosis, herniated discs and disc degeneration -- when there are no accompanying problems of spinal instability or deformity.
Source: Washington Post analysis of Florida Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data for 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.