Washington State's Health Technology Assessment Program published a draft decision last week outlining a committee's decision to continue paying for some spinal injections, according to a News Tribune report.
Patients who receive spinal injections for chronic pain and depend on the state to pay their medical bills can comment on the decision until May 10. The decision applies to Medicaid beneficiaries, patients who receive medical care from the Department of Corrections and patients whose medical bills are covered by programs such as workers' compensation, which fall under the Department of Labor & Industries.
The committee discussed data on the safety and efficacy of spinal injections at its March 18 meeting. According to the report, spinal injections generally involve the injection of an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory agent into or around spinal nerve sand joints.
The committee made a preliminary decision to continue coverage for lumbar epidurals, cervical-thoracic epidurals and sacroiliac joint injections, but stop payment for nerve block injections, intradiscal injections and facet injections.
Read the News Tribune report on spinal injections.
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Patients who receive spinal injections for chronic pain and depend on the state to pay their medical bills can comment on the decision until May 10. The decision applies to Medicaid beneficiaries, patients who receive medical care from the Department of Corrections and patients whose medical bills are covered by programs such as workers' compensation, which fall under the Department of Labor & Industries.
The committee discussed data on the safety and efficacy of spinal injections at its March 18 meeting. According to the report, spinal injections generally involve the injection of an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory agent into or around spinal nerve sand joints.
The committee made a preliminary decision to continue coverage for lumbar epidurals, cervical-thoracic epidurals and sacroiliac joint injections, but stop payment for nerve block injections, intradiscal injections and facet injections.
Read the News Tribune report on spinal injections.
Related Articles on Medicaid Patients:
Texas Oral Surgeon Acquitted in Medicaid Fraud Case
CVS Pays $17M to Settle Medicaid Fraud Allegations
Obama's Plan to Reduce Deficit Will Preserve Medicare, Medicaid But Includes "Tough Cuts"