Billing and Coding: Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation

Intraosseous basivertebral nerve (BVN) ablation is covered only for vertebral bodies L3–S1 when the targeted level shows Modic type 1 or 2 changes and there has been no prior BVN ablation at that named vertebral level; compliance with LCD L39642 requirements must be documented and denoted by the -KX modifier. Coverage is limited to a one-time treatment per named vertebral body (up to four levels L3–S1 per beneficiary lifetime), cannot treat more than two levels per session, cannot be combined with other paravertebral interventions, and is excluded for patients without skeletal maturity or with certain bone/metastatic/neurologic diagnoses.

"Ablation of the intraosseous basivertebral nerve (BVN) is covered only when performed within vertebral bodies L3 through S1."

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