The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) pain management workgroup, with representation from all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), released their future effect local coverage determination (LCD) on the Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management Oct. 25. The MAC CGS Administrators proactively reached out to the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) to engage members about the new policy, which takes effect in December.
The ACR CAC Network representatives and alternates have tracked development of this LCD since the February Multi-jurisdictional Contractor Advisory Committee meeting.
This policy was developed and adopted by all MACs, except Noridian. The College is educating members about the new policy and associated billing and coding for this clinical topic. Members should review the policy and associated billing and coding articles to avoid unnecessary denials of services or delays in reimbursement. Files are available through the Medicare Coverage Database.
CGS Administrators will host an educational webinar Friday, Nov. 12, 2–3pm ET. Registration is available online. This meeting is open to the public, physicians, billing staff and association representatives. If you have specific questions you would like CGS to address during the webinar, please send them by Nov. 8 to J15MRPOLICY@cgsadmin.com.
If you have questions or would like more information about local coverage policies and activities, contact Alicia Blakey, Senior Economic Policy Analyst.