Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that therapeutic facet joint procedures are considered medically reasonable and necessary for 
patients who meet ALL the following criteria: 
 
    The patient has had two (2) medically reasonable and necessary diagnostic facet joint procedures with each 
one providing a consistent minimum of 80% relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of relief being 
consistent with the agent used); AND 
    Subsequent therapeutic facet joint procedures at the same anatomic site results in at least consistent 50% 
pain relief for at least three (3) months from the prior therapeutic procedure or at least 50% consistent 
improvement in the ability to perform previously painful movements and ADLs as compared to baseline 
measurement using the same scale; AND 
    Documentation of why the patient is not a candidate for radiofrequency ablation (such as established spinal 
pseudarthrosis, implanted electrical device). 
 
Frequency Limitations: For each covered spinal region no more than four (4) therapeutic facet joint (IA) 
sessions will be reimbursed per rolling 12 months. 
 
The thermal radiofrequency destruction of cervical, thoracic, or lumbar paravertebral facet joint (medial 
branch) nerves are considered medically reasonable and necessary for patients who meet ALL the following 
criteria: 
 
        Initial thermal RFA: 
            After the patient has had at least two (2) medically reasonable and necessary diagnostic MBBs, with 
each one providing a consistent minimum of 80% sustained relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of 
relief being consistent with the agent used) AND 
            Repeat thermal facet joint RFA at the same anatomic site is considered medically reasonable and 
necessary provided the patient had a minimum of consistent 50% improvement in pain for at least six (6) 
months or at least 50% consistent improvement in the ability to perform previously painful movements and 
ADLs as compared to baseline measurement using the same scale; 
 
Frequency Limitation: For each covered spinal region no more than two (2) radiofrequency sessions will be 
reimbursed per rolling 12 months. 
 
 The following are considered not reasonable and necessary and therefore will be denied: 
 
    Intraarticular and extraarticular facet joint prolotherapy 
    Non-thermal modalities for facet joint denervation including chemical, low-grade thermal energy (less than 
80 degrees Celsius), laser neurolysis, and cryoablation. 
    Intra-facet implants 
    Facet joint procedure performed after anterior lumbar interbody fusion or ALIF. 
    Definitive clinical and/or imaging findings pointing to a specific diagnosis other than facet joint syndrome 
    Diagnostic injections or MMB at the same level as the previously successful RFA procedure 
 
You can find this information in the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Facet Joint Interventions 
for Pain Management (L38801). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.