Nerve Blockade for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Neuropathy

Nerve blockade is covered for diagnostic and therapeutic management of chronic pain (pain present >= 3 months despite therapy) when performed by appropriately trained and credentialed providers with required documentation of pain source and treatment of underlying pathology. Nerve blocks are indicated for conditions responsive to blockade (e.g., sympathetic-mediated syndromes, celiac block for pancreatic cancer) with imaging guidance as needed for somatic blocks; however, nerve blockade and/or electrostimulation are not covered for metabolic peripheral neuropathy and electrostimulation alone for systemic neuropathies is investigational. Epidural blocks are not covered under this LCD and are addressed in a separate policy (L39240/A5899).

"Nerve block evaluation and treatment is indicated for chronic pain defined as pain present continuously or intermittently for >= 3 months despite prior therapy."