HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 
Medical Policy:
S-191-018
Topic:
Interspinous and Interlaminar Stabilization/Distraction Devices (Spacers)
Section:
Surgery
Effective Date:
May 31, 2021
Issued Date:
May 31, 2021
Last Revision Date:
May 2021
Annual Review:
May 2021
 
 

The development of interspinous distraction devices has emerged as an alternative treatment for lumbar stenosis. These devices are intended to restrict painful motion while otherwise enabling normal motion of the spine. It is implanted between the spinous processes of the lumbar spine, using a minimally invasive procedure. The device is designed to act as a spacer between the spinous processes, maintaining flexion and limiting extension of the lumbar spine. This prevents nerve impingement and relieves symptoms of pain.

Policy Position

Lumbar (non-fusion) stabilization with the Coflex® Interlaminar Technology for treatment of spinal stenosis, following direct surgical decompression, may be considered medically necessary for one- or two-level use, when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  • Lumbar stenosis from L1-L5 in skeletally mature individuals with at least moderate impairment in function, who experience relief in flexion from their symptoms of leg/buttocks/groin pain, with or without back pain, who have significant risk for spinal instability with decompression alone; and
  • Skeletally mature individual; and
  • Diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis with up to Grade I spondylolisthesis, confirmed by imaging and clinical exam; and
  • Stenosis-related disability impacting activities of daily living, with or without mild-to-moderate back pain; and
  • Completion and failure of at least 6 months of conservative treatment, such as (not an all-inclusive list):
    • Anti-inflammatory medication; or
    • Physical therapy

Note: The Coflex® device is not to be used accompanying a fusion at the treatment level.

Insertion of any other interlaminar stabilization device is considered experimental/investigational and, therefore, non-covered because the safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available published peer reviewed literature.

 

The implantation of interspinous distraction devices for treatment of spinal stenosis is considered experimental/investigational and, therefore, non-covered because the safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available published peer reviewed literature regarding the long-term advantages of minimally invasive interspinous distraction devices over standard surgical options in the treatment of spinal stenosis.

22899

22867

22868

22869

22870

 

 

 


C1821

 

 

 

 

 

 


Covered Diagnosis Codes for Procedure Codes 22867, 22868, 22869, and 22870

M48.06

M48.061

M48.062

 

 

 

 

 



Place of Service: Inpatient/Outpatient

Experimental/Investigational (E/I) services are not covered regardless of place of service.

The implantation of interspinous distraction devices or dynamic spine stabilization for the treatment of spinal stenosis or degenerative spine disorders is typically an outpatient procedure which is only eligible for coverage as an inpatient procedure in special circumstances, including, but not limited to, the presence of a co-morbid condition that would require monitoring in a more controlled environment such as the inpatient setting.

The policy position applies to all commercial lines of business



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This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical or other circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records, as well as other regulatory, contractual and/or legal requirements.

Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor are they intended to govern the practice of medicine. They are intended to reflect Highmark's reimbursement and coverage guidelines. Coverage for services may vary for individual members, based on the terms of the benefit contract, and subject to the applicable laws of your state.


Highmark retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of Highmark. Any sale, copying or dissemination of the medical policies is prohibited; however, limited copying of medical policies is permitted for individual use.

Discrimination is Against the Law
The Claims Administrator/Insurer complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/Insurer does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/ Insurer:

  • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: 
    • Qualified sign language interpreters
    • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
  • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: 
    • Qualified interpreters
    • Information written in other languages

If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator. 

If you believe that the Claims Administrator/Insurer has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Civil Rights Coordinator, P.O. Box 22492, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 1-866-286-8295, TTY: 711, Fax: 412-544-2475, email: CivilRightsCoordinator@highmarkhealth.org. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you. 

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
200 Independence Avenue, SW 
Room 509F, HHH Building 
Washington, D.C. 20201 
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD) 

Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html. 

Insurance or benefit/claims administration may be provided by Highmark, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Coverage Advantage, Highmark Health Insurance Company, First Priority Life Insurance Company, First Priority Health, Highmark Benefits Group, Highmark Select Resources, Highmark Senior Solutions Company or Highmark Senior Health Company, all of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. 




Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor are they intended to govern the practice of medicine. They are intended to reflect reimbursement and coverage guidelines. Coverage for services may vary for individual members, based on the terms of the benefit contract.

Discrimination is Against the Law
The Claims Administrator/Insurer complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/Insurer does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/ Insurer:

  • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
  • Qualified sign language interpreters
  • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)

  • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
  • Qualified interpreters
  • Information written in other languages
    • If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator.

    If you believe that the Claims Administrator/Insurer has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Civil Rights Coordinator, P.O. Box 22492, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 1-866-286-8295 , TTY: 711, Fax: 412-544-2475, email: CivilRightsCoordinator@highmarkhealth.org. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you.

    You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at:

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    200 Independence Avenue, SW
    Room 509F, HHH Building
    Washington, D.C. 20201
    1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)

    Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.