BCBS of Kansas Medical Policy Update

Title:   Facet Joint Denervation (Cervical and Lumbar)

POLICY Current Effective Date:  October 1, 2016

A. Thermal radiofrequency denervation of cervical facet joints (C2-3 and below) and lumbar facet joints is considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met:

1. No prior posterior spinal fusion surgery in the vertebral level being treated; AND
2. Disabling low back (lumbosacral) or neck (cervical) pain, suggestive of intrinsic facet joint origin as supported by history and physical; AND
3. Pain has failed to respond to three (3) months of conservative management; AND
4. There has been a successful trial of confirming medial branch blocks (see Policy Guidelines); AND
5. If there has been a prior successful radiofrequency (RF) denervation, a minimum time of six (6) months has elapsed since prior RF nerve treatment.

B. Radiofrequency denervation is considered experimental / investigational for the treatment of chronic spinal / back pain for all uses that do not meet the criteria listed above, including but not limited to treatment of thoracic facet joint pain.

C. All other methods of denervation are considered experimental / investigational for the treatment of chronic spinal / back pain, including, but not limited to pulsed radiofrequency denervation, laser denervation, chemodenervation (eg, alcohol, phenol, or high-concentration local anesthetics), and cryodenervation.

D. Therapeutic medial branch blocks are considered experimental / investigational.

E. If there has been a prior successful radiofrequency (RF) denervation, additional prognostic blocks at the same level may be considered medically necessary to confirm the source of pain is from the same segmental level. 

Policy Guidelines

1. A successful trial of controlled diagnostic medial branch blocks consists of 2 positive blocks performed on separate days, under fluoroscopic guidance, that have resulted in at least an 80% reduction in pain for the duration of the local anesthetic (no steroids or other drugs) used (eg, 3 hours longer with bupivacaine than lidocaine).
2. No therapeutic intra-articular injections (ie, steroids, saline, or other substances) should be administered for a period of at least 4 weeks prior to the diagnostic medial branch block. The diagnostic blocks should involve the levels being considered for RF treatment and should not be conducted under intravenous sedation unless specifically indicated (eg, the patient is unable to cooperate with the procedure). These diagnostic blocks should be targeted to the likely pain generator. Single level blocks lead to more precise diagnostic information, but multiple single level blocks require several visits and additional exposure to radiation.
3. Parallel Needle Placement. In order to incorporate target nerves reliably, electrodes must be placed close and parallel to the nerve. Electrodes that touch the nerve will reliably incorporate the nerve into the lesion they produce, even if the lesion is of minimal size, as proximity to the nerve is crucial. One method to ensure the target nerve is denervated is to place multiple lesions, in such a fashion as to ensure that a volume of tissue is coagulated that encompasses the entire volume in which the target nerve might lie.

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Reasonable attempts have been made to be accurate.  However, medical billing, collections, coding and compliance are part science, part art, and even experts sometimes differ.  Neither Anesthesia Billing, Inc., the editors, publisher, contributors, or consultants warrant or guarantee the information contained will be applicable or appropriate in all situations.  For information specific to your practice, consult a qualified professional.

The information included in this publication is provided, among other things, to alert you to legal developments and should not be considered legal advice.  Specific questions about how this information affects your particular situation should be addressed to your attorney.

Editor:  Philip Blann (pblann@anesthesiabilling.com).