Commercial Support: Commercial Support is any financial or in-kind support from companies
whose primary business is in producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing health care
products used by or on patients. Some examples include: device manufacturers, pharmaceutical
companies or distributors, health-related wearable products, bio-medical startups, or any
advertising companies related to any of these entities already listed. NASS also includes, within
the definition of “commercial support”, insurance companies (in an employment capacity only)
or any entities that are in the development stage for any of the aforementioned activities and
devoting substantially all of its efforts to these tasks, regardless of if operations have not yet
officially begun or have begun but without significant revenue.
Financial Relationships: Any proposed or actual financial remuneration from either: (a)
Commercial Support, or (b) a professional medical association. Such financial relationships can
include: employment, researcher, consultant, advisor, speaker, independent contractor,
royalties or patent beneficiary, executive role, and ownership interest.
Relevant Financial Relationships: Financial relationships of any dollar amount are considered
Relevant Financial Relationships if the educational or scientific content is related to the business
lines or products of the ineligible company.
Non-financial Relationships: Any proposed or actual influential office or role held with either:
(a) a company whose primary business is in producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or
distributing health care products used by or on patients, or (b) a professional medical
association, even when no financial renumeration is exchanged. Such non-financial
relationships can include: board of directors, scientific advisory board, officer, committee chair,
or any other position that has influence within the organization.
Participant(s): An individual involved in any NASS-related activity, such as: those who serve in
committee and leadership positions within the society, authors on NASS publications, including
but not limited to
The Spine Journal (TSJ), SpineLine, Contemporary Concepts and Clinical
Guidelines, and speakers, instructors, moderators or panelists for any NASS-related events.
Stock/Security: An interest based on an investment in a common enterprise, including: a note,
stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or
participation in a profit sharing agreement. It also includes private investments such as venture
capital or investments in start-up companies which have undetermined future value potential. It
does not include investments in diversified mutual funds.