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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 say that epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have been used as a non-surgical modality to treat low back 
and neck pain. These procedures typically involve the injection of a solution containing corticosteroids and/or 
anesthetic into the epidural space, although saline may be included at times. 
 
The ESI can be performed in three ways. Interlaminar (ILESI) approaches the epidural space from the posterior 
spine between the two vertebral laminae near the midline. In the transforaminal approach (TFESI), the injectant 
is delivered through the neuroforamen dorsal to the nerve root within the intervertebral foramen. The caudal 
approach (caudal ESI) enters through the sacral hiatus at the sacral canal to access the epidural space. 
 
The treatment of individuals with spinal disorders, including pain, can be complex, and it is recommended that 
all individuals being considered for interventional spinal procedures undergo a thorough evaluation and be 
treated following development of a comprehensive care plan. 
 
    Epidural steroid injection (ESI) will be considered medically reasonable and necessary when the following 
requirements are met: 
        History, physical examination, and concordant radiological image-based diagnostic testing that supports 
one of the following: 
            Lumbar, cervical or thoracic radiculopathy, radicular pain and/or neurogenic claudication due to disc 
herniation, osteophyte or osteophyte complexes, severe degenerative disc disease, producing foraminal or 
central spinal stenosis OR 
            Post-laminectomy syndrome, OR 
            Acute herpes zoster associated pain. 
AND 
        Radiculopathy, radicular pain and/or neurogenic claudication is severe enough to greatly impact quality of 
life or function. An objective pain scale or functional assessment must be performed at baseline (prior to 
interventions). The same scale* must be used at each follow-up for assessment of response. 
AND 
         
      Pain duration of at least four (4) weeks, and the inability to tolerate noninvasive conservative care or 
medical documentation of failure to respond to four (4) weeks of noninvasive conservative care or acute herpes 
zoster refractory to conservative management where a four (4) week wait is not required. 
 
    The ESIs must be performed under computed tomography (CT) or fluoroscopy image guidance with 
contrast10 unless the patient has a documented contrast allergy or pregnancy where ultrasound guidance 
without contrast may be considered. 
    Transforaminal ESIs (TFESIs) involving a maximum of two (2) levels in one spinal region are considered 
medically reasonable and necessary. It is important to recognize that most conditions would not ordinarily 
require ESI at two (2) levels in one spinal region. 
    Caudal ESIs and interlaminar ESIs (ILESIs) involving a maximum of one level are considered medically 
reasonable and necessary. 
    It is considered medically reasonable and necessary to perform TFESIs bilaterally only when clinically 
indicated. 
    Repeat ESI when the first injection directly and significantly provided improvement of the condition being 
treated may be considered medically reasonable and necessary when the medical record documents at least 
50% of sustained improvement in pain relief and/or improvement in function measured from baseline using 
SAME scale* for at least three months. If a patient fails to respond well to the initial ESI, a repeat ESI after 14 
days can be performed using a different approach, level and/or medication, if appropriate, with the rationale 
and medical necessity for the second ESI documented in the medical record. 
    An initial injection of contrast is required to confirm epidural placement, unless the patient has a 
contraindication to contrast. The subsequent ESI should include corticosteroids and may be combined with 
anesthetics or saline. 
    The ESIs should be performed in conjunction with conservative treatments. 
    Patients should be part of an active rehabilitation program, home exercise program or functional restoration 
program. 
 
You can find these rules in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain 
Management L33906. 
 
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.