Local Coverage Determination (LCD)

Nerve Blocks for Peripheral Neuropathy

L35249

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Proposed LCD
Proposed LCDs are works in progress that are available on the Medicare Coverage Database site for public review. Proposed LCDs are not necessarily a reflection of the current policies or practices of the contractor.

Document Note

Note History

Contractor Information

LCD Information

Document Information

Source LCD ID
N/A
LCD ID
L35249
Original ICD-9 LCD ID
Not Applicable
LCD Title
Nerve Blocks for Peripheral Neuropathy
Proposed LCD in Comment Period
N/A
Source Proposed LCD
N/A
Original Effective Date
For services performed on or after 10/01/2015
Revision Effective Date
For services performed on or after 05/09/2024
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
N/A
Notice Period Start Date
N/A
Notice Period End Date
N/A
AMA CPT / ADA CDT / AHA NUBC Copyright Statement

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

Current Dental Terminology © 2023 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2023, the American Hospital Association, Chicago, Illinois. Reproduced with permission. No portion of the American Hospital Association (AHA) copyrighted materials contained within this publication may be copied without the express written consent of the AHA. AHA copyrighted materials including the UB‐04 codes and descriptions may not be removed, copied, or utilized within any software, product, service, solution or derivative work without the written consent of the AHA. If an entity wishes to utilize any AHA materials, please contact the AHA at 312‐893‐6816.

Making copies or utilizing the content of the UB‐04 Manual, including the codes and/or descriptions, for internal purposes, resale and/or to be used in any product or publication; creating any modified or derivative work of the UB‐04 Manual and/or codes and descriptions; and/or making any commercial use of UB‐04 Manual or any portion thereof, including the codes and/or descriptions, is only authorized with an express license from the American Hospital Association. The American Hospital Association (the "AHA") has not reviewed, and is not responsible for, the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this material, nor was the AHA or any of its affiliates, involved in the preparation of this material, or the analysis of information provided in the material. The views and/or positions presented in the material do not necessarily represent the views of the AHA. CMS and its products and services are not endorsed by the AHA or any of its affiliates.

Issue

Issue Description

Annual review was performed and no changes were made.

Issue - Explanation of Change Between Proposed LCD and Final LCD

CMS National Coverage Policy

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, section 1862(a)(1)(A). This section allows coverage and payment for only those services that are considered to be medically reasonable and necessary.

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, section 1833(e). This section prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim.

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, section 1862 (a)(7) excludes routine physical evaluations.

PUB 100-03 Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual- Chapter 1 Section:
30.3 – Acupuncture
150.6 -Vitamin B12 Injections to Strengthen Tendons, Ligaments, etc of the Foot
150.7 - Prolotherapy, Joint Sclerotherapy, and Ligamentous Injections with Sclerosing Agents

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity
Nerve blocks cause the temporary interruption of conduction of impulses in peripheral nerves or nerve trunks by the injection of local anesthetic solutions.

The use of nerve blocks or injections for the treatment of multiple neuropathies or peripheral neuropathies caused by underlying systemic diseases is not considered medically necessary. Medical management using systemic medications is clinically indicated for the treatment of these conditions.

Limitations

The use of nerve blocks with or without the use of electrostimulation, and the use of electrostimulation alone for the treatment of multiple neuropathies or peripheral neuropathies caused by underlying systemic diseases is not considered medically reasonable and necessary. Medical management using systemic medications is clinically indicated for the treatment of these conditions.

At present, the literature and scientific evidence supporting the use of peripheral nerve blocks with or without the use of electrostimulation/electromagnetic stimulation, and the use of electrostimulation/ electromagnetic stimulation alone for neuropathies or peripheral neuropathies caused by underlying systemic diseases, is insufficient to warrant coverage. These procedures are considered investigational and are not eligible for coverage for the treatment of neuropathies or peripheral neuropathies caused by underlying systemic diseases.

The use of ultrasound guidance in conjunction with these non -covered injections is also considered not medically necessary and will result in denial.
Summary of Evidence

N/A

Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

N/A

Proposed Process Information

Synopsis of Changes
Changes Fields Changed
N/A
Associated Information
Sources of Information
Bibliography
Open Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
MAC Meeting Information URLs
N/A
Proposed LCD Posting Date
Comment Period Start Date
Comment Period End Date
Reason for Proposed LCD
Requestor Information
This request was MAC initiated.
Requestor Name Requestor Letter
View Letter
N/A
Contact for Comments on Proposed LCD

Coding Information

Bill Type Codes

Code Description
N/A

Revenue Codes

Code Description
N/A

CPT/HCPCS Codes

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

Additional ICD-10 Information

General Information

Associated Information
N/A
Sources of Information
Bril V, England J. Evidence-Based Guideline: Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Report of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Neurology. 2011: May 17; 76(20):1758-65. NGC: 008504.

Chaudhry V, Stevens JC, et al. Practice advisory: utility of surgical decompression for treatment of diabetic neuropathy: Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2006;2:1805-1808.

Hamza MA, White PF, Craig WF, et al. Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: A Novel Analgesic Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. Diabetes Care. 2000: March; 23(3):365-370.

Odell RH, Sorgnard R, New technique combines electrical and local anesthetic for pain management: Practical Pain Management; June 2011: online at http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/issue/1106

Cernak C, Marriot E, et al. Electrical current and local anesthetic combination successfully treats pain associated with diabetic neuropathy: Practical Pain Management; April 2012 online at:
http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/issue/1203

Bibliography

N/A

Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation Reasons for Change
05/09/2024 R12

R12

Revision Effective: 05/09/2024

Revision Explanation: annual review, no changes were made.

04/30/2024 : At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review )
04/27/2023 R11

R11

Revision Effective: 04/27/2023

Revision Explanation: annual review, no changes were made.

04/19/2023: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
04/14/2022 R10

Revision Effective: 04/14/2022

Revision Explanation: Annual review, no changes were made.

  • Other (Annual Review)
04/29/2021 R9

R9

Revision Effective: n/a

Revision Explanation: annual review, no changes were made

4/19/2021: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/31/2019 R8

R8

Revision Effective: n/a

Revision Explanation: annual review, no changes made

4-30-2020:At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Annual Review)
10/31/2019 R7

R7

Revision Effective: 10/31/2019

Revision Explanation: When the policy was converted to remove the coding from the policy into a billing and coding article, the article was not related to the policy. This has been corrected and article A57663 is related in the related documentation section. The information from the associated information section has been moved to the billing and coding article.

10/22/2019:At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Code Migration)
09/26/2019 R6

R6

Revision Effective: 09/26/2019 Revision Explanation: Converted to new policy template that no longer includes coding section based on CR 10901.

09/20/2019:At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Revisions Due To Code Removal
10/01/2015 R5

Revision#:R5
Revision Effective date: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes made. Added 21 Century Cures Act

04/15/2019 At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (Added 21 Century Cures Act)
10/01/2015 R4

R4
Revision effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.

  • Other (Annual review, no changes made.)
10/01/2015 R3 R3
Revision effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.
  • Other (Annual Review)
10/01/2015 R2 R2
Revision effective: N/A
Revision Explanation: Annual review no changes made.
  • Other (Annual review)
10/01/2015 R1 R1
Revision effective: 10/01/2015
Revision Explanation: Policy was demoted in error and being activated. Added ICD-10 G58.8 and G60.1.
  • Provider Education/Guidance
N/A

Associated Documents

Attachments
N/A
Related National Coverage Documents
N/A
Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
04/30/2024 05/09/2024 - N/A Currently in Effect You are here
04/19/2023 04/27/2023 - 05/08/2024 Superseded View
Some older versions have been archived. Please visit the MCD Archive Site to retrieve them.

Keywords

N/A

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