Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Medicare covers percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression (PILD) for lumbar spinal stenosis only when performed within CMS-approved clinical studies under Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) that meet detailed methodological, regulatory, and reporting requirements. As of December 7, 2016, devices with a completed CMS-approved RCT may be covered in a CMS-approved prospective, longitudinal study that maintains RCT eligibility criteria; PILD performed outside these approved study contexts is not covered and other open or endoscopic lumbar decompressions are outside this NCD's scope.

"PILD for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is covered by Medicare only when provided as part of an approved clinical study under Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) that meets CMS study-design and ..."

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