Discography

This policy covers discography (lumbar, cervical, and thoracic provocative discography) as a diagnostic procedure for suspected discogenic spinal pain. It states lumbar discography is not medically necessary due to safety and effectiveness concerns, cervical and thoracic discography lack sufficient evidence and are not supported, and discography should not be used as a standalone test, performed for radicular pain, or when other imaging has already confirmed the source—additionally it may cause harm such as accelerated disc degeneration.

"Lumbar discography is considered not medically necessary because evidence indicates the procedure is not safe or effective."

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