Trigger point injections are defined as an injection of a local anesthetic with or without the addition of a corticosteroid into clinically identified myofascial trigger points.
Myofascial trigger point is defined as a discrete, focal, hyperirritable spot found within a taught band of skeletal muscle or its fascia which when provocatively compressed causes local pain or tenderness as well as characteristic referred pain, tenderness and/or autonomic phenomena. Digital palpation, as well as needle insertion into the trigger point, can often lead to a local twitch response. A local twitch response is a transient visible or palpable contraction of the muscle. The presence of characteristic referred pain, tenderness, muscle shortening and/or autonomic phenomena (e.g., vasomotor changes, pilomotor changes, muscle twitches, etc.) is necessary to render the diagnosis of a myofascial trigger point. Tender points within a muscle or its fascia, which do not refer pain, tenderness and/or autonomic phenomena and lack a local twitch response, cannot be considered a myofascial trigger point.
Policy Position
Coverage is subject to the specific terms of the member's benefit plan.
- Trigger point injections may be considered medically necessary when
a trigger point has been identified.
- Trigger point injections are
not without risk, and can expose patients to potential complications. Repeat
trigger point injections may be
considered medically necessary when there is at least 50% pain relief
for a minimum of six (6) weeks following the injection with documented evidence
of functional improvement and adequate instruction or supervision in
self-management strategies (i.e., therapeutic exercise, ergonomic advice, ADL
training, etc.).
- Repeat trigger point
injections used as an isolated treatment modality may be considered not medically necessary.
- Repeat injections which occur
at an interval of less than two (2) months may be considered not medically necessary. More than four (4)
trigger point injection sessions per body region per year may be considered not medically necessary.
-
Trigger point injections performed with any substance
other than local anesthetic with or without steroid (e.g., saline or glucose)
are not recommended and may be
considered not medically necessary.
Place of Service: Outpatient
A trigger point injection 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
Services that do not meet the criteria of this policy will not be considered medically necessary. A network provider cannot bill the member for the denied service unless: (a) the provider has given advance written notice, informing the member that the service may be deemed not medically necessary; (b) the member is provided with an estimate of the cost; and (c) the member agrees in writing to assume financial responsibility in advance of receiving the service. The signed agreement must be maintained in the provider’s records.
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.
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 languagesIf 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.
