Intradiscal Procedures

Aetna considers thermal intradiscal procedures (e.g., IDET, intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty/biacuplasty, nucleoplasty/Disc‑FX, PIRFT/Coblation and similar catheter/probe‑based techniques) and a broad list of other intradiscal injections/implants (e.g., PRP, stem‑cell/adipose or bone‑marrow concentrates, condoliase, gelified ethanol/DiscoGel, GelStix, methylene blue) experimental/investigational and not covered for discogenic low back pain, lumbar DDD, lumbar disc herniation, radiculopathy or other indications. The key requirement is that effectiveness has not been established for these procedures (they are excluded from coverage), and this policy addresses only intradiscal electrothermal procedures (distinct from radiofrequency neuroablation).

"Disc inflammation reduction / attempts at intervertebral disc regeneration (preclinical biologic/growth factor approaches)"