January 4, 2023
Targeted Probe and Education Program to Focus on Spinal Pain Management Claims
The CGS Targeted Probe and Education program will begin review of claims associated with spinal pain management services. Guidance for spinal pain management services provision and documentation may be found in the CGS’ LCD L39015, LCD L38773 and NCD 160.7.
All spinal pain management services must meet all requirements regarding medical reasonableness and necessity as outlined in the applicable statute, regulations, and manual provisions.
Spinal pain management services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the patient's condition. The appropriate documentation must be kept on file and available upon request. The spinal pain management service must meet all program coverage criteria in order for payment to be made.
We expect the documentation submitted to include a copy of the following legible and signed documentation from each patient's medical record:
- Beneficiary’s name
- Date of service
- Clinical note:
- supporting assessment of patient
- supporting relevant history
- results of pertinent tests/procedures
- signed and dated office visit/operative report
- supporting medical necessity of procedure
- For Epidural Steroid Injections
- films adequately documenting final need position and contrast flow
- Appropriate signatures
- Signature and credentials of person performing the service
- Amendments/corrections/delayed entries are properly identified
- Amendments/corrections/delayed entries are initialed and dated by author within 30 days of the billed service.
For additional documentation requirements, please reference:
- LCD L39015: Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management
- LCD L38773: Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management
- Internet Only Manual NCD Manual 100-03, Chapter, 1 Section 160.7
CPT codes under review will include:
- 62323- Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) with imaging guidance
- 63650- Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode array
- 63685- Insertion or replacement of spinal neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver
- 64635- Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve(s), with imaging guidance, lumbar or sacral, single facet joint
- 64636- Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve(s), with imaging guidance, lumbar or sacral, each additional facet joint
For more information on Targeted Probe and Education, please see the following links:
- CGS Targeted Probe & Educate Webpage
- Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) Process
- Targeted Probe and Educate FAQs
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) TPE Webpage
Consider using the myCGS Portal for claim review status and submission of documentation. For more information, please access myCGS