Medicare (CMS LCD/NCD) Facet Joint Injection / Medial Branch Block prior authorization requirements (2026)

Medical-necessity criteria Medicare (CMS LCD/NCD) generally applies

Palmetto GBA LCD L38765 - Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management (revision effective 04/09/2026). "Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity" section, VERBATIM from the CMS Medicare Coverage Database API on 2026-09-20 (HTML converted to text; nothing paraphrased): Facet joint interventions generally consist of 4 types of procedures: intra-articular (IA) facet joint injections, medial branch blocks (MBB), radiofrequency ablations (RFA) and facet cyst rupture/aspiration. Facet joint interventions are considered medically reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain in patients who meet ALL the following criteria: Moderate-to-severe chronic neck or low back pain, predominantly axial, that causes functional deficit measured on pain or disability scale* Pain present for minimum of 3 months with documented failure to respond to non-invasive conservative management (as tolerated) Absence of untreated radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication (except for radiculopathy caused by facet joint synovial cyst) There is no non-facet pathology per clinical assessment or radiology studies that could explain the source of the patient’s pain, including but not limited to fracture, tumor, infection, or significant deformity *Pain assessment must be performed and documented at baseline, after each diagnostic procedure using the same pain scale for each assessment. A disability scale must also be obtained at baseline to be used for functional assessment (if patient qualifies for treatment).  Diagnostic Facet Joint Procedures (IA or MBB): The primary indication of a diagnostic facet joint procedure is to diagnose whether the patient has facet syndrome. IA facet block(s) are considered reasonable and necessary as a diagnostic test only if MBBs cannot be performed due to specific documented anatomic restrictions or there is an indication to proceed with therapeutic IA injections. These restrictions must be clearly documented in the medical record and made available upon request. Diagnostic procedures should be performed with the intent that if successful, RFA procedure would be considered the primary treatment goal at the diagnosed level(s). A second diagnostic facet procedure is considered medically necessary to confirm validity of the initial diagnostic facet procedure when administered at the same level. The second diagnostic procedure may only be performed a minimum of 2 weeks after the initial diagnostic procedure. Clinical circumstances that necessitate an exception to the 2-week duration may be considered on an individual basis and must be clearly documented in the medical record. For the first diagnostic facet joint procedure to be considered medically reasonable and necessary, the patient must meet the criteria outlined under indications for facet joint interventions. A second confirmatory diagnostic facet joint procedure is considered medically reasonable and necessary in patients who meet ALL the following criteria: The patient meets the criteria for the first diagnostic procedure; AND After the first diagnostic facet joint procedure, there must be a consistent positive response of at least 80% relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of relief being consistent with the agent used)  Frequency Limitation : For each covered spinal region no more than 4 diagnostic joint sessions will be reimbursed per rolling 12 months, in recognition that the pain generator cannot always be identified with the initial and confirmatory diagnostic procedure. Therapeutic Facet Joint Procedures (IA or MBB): Therapeutic facet joint injections are considered medically reasonable and necessary for patients who meet ALL the following criteria: The patient has had 2 medically reasonable and necessary diagnostic facet joint procedures with each 1 providing a consistent minimum of 80% relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of relief being consistent with the agent used) AND Subsequent therapeutic facet joint procedures at the same anatomic site results in at least consistent 50% pain relief for at least 3 months from the prior therapeutic procedure or at least 50% consistent improvement in the ability to perform previously painful movements and activities of daily living (ADLs) as compared to baseline measurement using the same scale; AND Documentation of why the patient is not a candidate for RFA (such as established spinal pseudarthrosis, implanted electrical device) Frequency Limitation : For each covered spinal region no more than 4 therapeutic facet joint sessions will be reimbursed per rolling 12 months . Facet Joint Denervation: The thermal radiofrequency destruction of cervical, thoracic, or lumbar paravertebral facet joint (medial branch (MB)) nerves are considered medically reasonable and necessary for patients who meet   the following criteria: Initial thermal radiofrequency destruction after the patient has had at least 2 medically reasonable and necessary diagnostic MBBs, with each 1 providing a consistent minimum of 80% sustained relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of relief being consistent with the agent used) Repeat thermal facet joint RFA at the same anatomic site is considered medically reasonable and necessary provided the patient had a minimum of consistent 50% improvement in pain for at least 6 months or at least 50% consistent improvement in the ability to perform previously painful movements and ADLs as compared to baseline measurement using the same scale. Frequency Limitation : For each covered spinal region no more than 2 radiofrequency sessions will be reimbursed per rolling 12 months . Facet Cyst Aspiration/Rupture: IA facet joint injection performed with synovial cyst aspiration is considered medically necessary when both of the following criteria are met: Advanced diagnostic imaging study (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ computed tomography (CT)/myelogram) confirms compression or displacement of the corresponding nerve root by a facet joint synovial cyst; AND Clinical and physical symptoms related to synovial facet cyst are documented. Frequency Limitation : Cyst aspiration/rupture may be repeated once per individual cyst and only if there is 50% or more consistent improvement in pain for at least 3 months. Limitations Facet joint interventions done without CT or fluoroscopic guidance are considered not reasonable and necessary. This includes facet joint interventions done without any guidance, performed under ultrasound guidance, or with MRI. Use of moderate or deep sedation, general anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is not considered medically reasonable and necessary during facet procedures of IA, MBB, and facet cyst aspiration/rupture. 1 The use o f moderate sedation for RFA or cyst rupture/aspiration will be considered in individual cases with documentation of medical necessity such as a longstanding well-documented history of inability to cooperate, medical conditions that would prohibit performance of the procedure, or inability to remain motionless. Patient anxiety or preference alone is not sufficient justification. Routine use of moderate sedation or MAC or use of general anesthesia or deep sedation for RFA is not considered reasonable and necessary. 1 It is not expected that patients will routinely present with pain in both cervical/thoracic and lumbar spinal regions. Therefore, facet joint interventions (both diagnostic and therapeutic) are limited to 1 spinal region per session. It is not routinely necessary for multiple blocks (e.g., epidural injections, sympathetic blocks, trigger point injections, etc.) to be provided to a patient on the same day as facet joint procedures. Multiple blocks on the same day could lead to improper or lack of diagnosis. If performed, the medical necessity of each injection (at the same or at different level[s]) must be clearly documented in the medical record. For example, the performance of both paravertebral facet joint procedure(s) and a transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) at the same or close spinal level at the same encounter would not be expected unless a synovial cyst is compressing the nerve root. In this situation, TFESI may provide relief for the radicular pain, while the facet cyst rupture allows nerve root decompression. Frequent reporting of multiple blocks on the same day may trigger a focused medical review. Facet joint IA injections and MBBs may involve the use of anesthetic, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories and/or contrast agents, and does not include injections of biologicals or other substances not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated for this use. One to 2 levels, either unilateral or bilateral, are allowed per session per spine region. Three or 4-level procedures are not medically necessary and therefore are non-covered. A session is a time period, which includes all procedures (i.e., MBBs, IA injections, facet cyst ruptures, and RFAs) that are performed during the same day. If there is an extended time, 2 years or more, since the last RFA and there is a question as to the source of the recurrent pain then diagnostic procedures must be repeated. Therapeutic facet injections are not covered unless there is justification in the medical documentation on why RFA cannot be performed. Facet joint procedures in patients for the indication of generalized pain conditions (such as fibromyalgia) or chronic centralized pain syndromes are considered not reasonable and necessary. Individual consideration may be considered under unique circumstances and with sufficient documentation of medical necessity on appeal.  In patients with implanted electrical devices, providers must follow manufacturer instructions and extra planning as indicated to ensure safety of procedure. The following are considered not reasonable and necessary and therefore, will be denied: IA and extra-articular facet joint prolotherapy Non-thermal modalities for facet joint denervation including chemical, low-grade thermal energy (less than 80 degrees Celsius), laser neurolysis, and cryoablation Intra-facet implants Facet joint procedure performed after anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). Definitive clinical and/or imaging findings pointing to a specific diagnosis other than facet joint syndrome Diagnostic injections or MBB at the same level as the previously successful RFA procedure Note: The scales used for measurement of pain and/or disability must be documented in the medical record. Acceptable scales include but are not limited to: verbal rating scales, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, and Pain Disability Assessment Scale (PDAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OSW), Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS), Roland Morris Pain Scale (RDQ), Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS ® ) profile domains to assess function. Notice: Services performed for any given diagnosis must meet all the indications and limitations stated in this policy, the general requirements for medical necessity as stated in CMS payment policy manuals, all existing CMS national coverage determinations (NCDs), and all Medicare payment rules. Provider Qualifications: Medicare Program Integrity Manual states services will be considered medically reasonable and necessary only if performed by appropriately trained providers .   Patient safety and quality of care mandate that healthcare professionals who perform facet injections/procedures are appropriately trained and/or credentialed by a formal residency/fellowship program and/or are certified by either an accredited and nationally recognized organization or by a post-graduate training course accredited by an established national accrediting body or accredited professional training program. If the practitioner works in a hospital facility at any time and/or is credentialed by a hospital for any procedure, the practitioner must be credentialed to perform the same procedure in the outpatient setting. At a minimum, training must cover and develop an understanding of anatomy and drug pharmacodynamics and kinetics as well as proficiency in diagnosis and management of disease, the technical performance of the procedure, and utilization of the required associated imaging modalities. In addition to the above requirements, non-physician providers, such as certified nurse anesthetists, with certain exceptions, may certify, order and establish the plan of care as authorized by state law. (See Sections 1861[s][2] and 1862[a][14] of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; 42 CFR, Sections 410.74, 410.75, 410.76 and 419.22; 58 FR 18543, April 7, 2000.) Each practitioner must provide only those services within the scope of practice for each state. Definitions Acute pain - The temporal definition of pain persisting for up to 4 weeks after the onset of the pain. Axial - Relating to or situated in the central part of the body, in the head and trunk as distinguished from the limbs, e.g., axial skeleton. Biopsychosocial model - Interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biology, pathology and socioenvironmental factors. Central neuropathic pain - Pain, which is causally related to a lesion or disease of the central somatosensory nerves. Centralized pain – A neurological chronic pain syndrome of the central nervous system (brain, brainstem, and spinal cord) which commonly presents with widespread generalized allodynia which is causally related to the increased responsiveness of nociceptive nerves in the central nervous system to the normal threshold or subthreshold simulation from the afferent nerves. The condition has also been called “central sensitization,” “central amplification,” and “central pain syndrome.” Fibromyalgia is considered one of the most common centralized pain syndromes. Cervical facet pain - Pain located in the cervical spine, which may be characterized by chronic headaches, restricted motion, and axial neck pain, which may radiate sub-occipitally to the shoulders or mid-back. Chronic pain - T he temporal definition of pain persisting for greater than or equal to 12 weeks after the onset of the pain. Dual diagnostic blocks  - The diagnostic technique of injecting the same spinal nerve on 2 separate occasions to be used as an efficacy comparison to increase diagnostic accuracy. Epidural steroid injection  - The administration via injection of steroid medicine into the potential epidural space in the spinal column to deliver steroids to the spinal nerves. Facet joint intra-articular injections, diagnostic - The placement of local anesthetic and possibly a corticosteroid into the facet joint to diagnose facet joint pain. Facet joint intra-articular injections, therapeutic - The placement of local anesthetic and possibly a corticosteroid into the facet joint to produce the beneficial effect of pain reduction. Facet joint - A diarthrodial joint in the spinal column (also called the zygapophysial joint or z-joint), producing the articulation of the posterior elements of 1 vertebra with its neighboring vertebra. They are bilateral superior and inferior articular surfaces at each spinal level. The terminology or nomenclature of the facet joint is classified by the specific vertebrae level that forms it (e.g., C4-5 or L2-3). There are 2 facet joints, right and left, at each spinal level. Facet injection (also called facet block) - A general term used to describe the injection of local anesthetic and possibly a corticosteroid in the facet joint capsule or along the MB nerves supplying the facet joints. Facet joint denervation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) - A general term used to describe the minimally invasive procedure that uses thermal energy generated by the radiofrequency current to deprive the facet joint of its nerve supply. The procedure is also known as a MB radiofrequency neurotomy (ablation) because it is used to thermally remove the MB nerve by using electrical current to create thermal energy to coagulate the adjacent tissues around the targeted MB nerve. Facet joint syndrome  - A set of concurrent signs or symptoms to describe facet joint pain as the pain generator. The typical clinical signs or symptoms of a facet syndrome may include local paraspinal tenderness; pain that is brought about or increased on hyperextension, rotation, and lateral bending; low back stiffness; absence of neurologic deficit; absence of root tension signs (non-radiating below the knee, absence of paresthesia). Cervical facet pain is often characterized by chronic headaches, restricted motion, and axial neck pain, which may radiate sub-occipitally to the shoulders or mid-back. Facet level  - R efers to the zygapophyseal joint or the 2 MB nerves that innervate that zygapophyseal joint. Each level has a pair of facet joints: 1 on the right side and 1 on the left side of the spine.   Intra-articular injection (IA)  - The injection of local anesthetic and possibly a corticosteroid into the facet joint capsule. Medial branch (MB) - The dorsal ramus is the dorsal branch of a spinal nerve that forms from the dorsal root of the nerve after it emerges from the spinal cord.   Medial branch block (MBB) – The placement of local anesthetic and possibly a corticosteroid near the MB nerve which supplies the sensory innervation to a specific facet joint. Neuropathic pain – The pain which is caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nerves. Neurogenic claudication - Intermittent leg pain from impingement of the nerves emanating from the spinal cord (also called pseuduoclaudication). New onset of spinal pain  - The new onset of the spinal pain must be materially and significantly different in location, type, duration and character from the previously treated spine pain. Non-invasive conservative management - The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, physical therapy, acupuncture (applies to only chronic low back pain), or spinal manipulation. This management should include the application of biopsychosocial treatment techniques. Non-radicular back pain - The radiating non-neuropathic pain which is not causally related to a spinal nerve root irritation and does not produce reproducible neuropathic symptoms in an objective dermatomal pattern. Peripheral neuropathic pain - Pain, which is causally related to a lesion or disease of the peripheral somatosensory nerves. Radicular back pain - The radiating neuropathic pain causally related to the spinal nerve root irritation which extends into the distal distribution, typically the lower extremity, producing neuropathic pain in a dermatomal pattern. Radiculopathy   - Radiating neuropathic pain causally related to the spinal nerve root irritation, which extends distal producing neuropathic pain in a dermatomal pattern. Region - The segments of the back involved will be defined in this policy as 2 regions: Cervical/Thoracic region= C1-C7/T1-T12 Lumbar/Sacral region= L1-L5/S1-S5 Session - A time period, which includes all procedures (i.e., MBBs, IA injections, facet cyst ruptures, and RFAs) performed during 1 day. Subacute pain - The temporal definition of pain occurring during the 4-12-week time period. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) - An epidural injection performed via a paramedian approach to enter the epidural space by placing the needle in the posterior-superior quadrant of the intervertebral foramen (neuroforamen) to inject near the dorsal root ganglion and exiting spinal nerve root (previously known as a selective nerve root block). Zygapophysial joint or z-joint - See Facet joint.   History/Background and/or General Information The spine is the most common source of chronic pain. Chronic axial spinal pain is one of the major causes of disability and accounts for a substantial United States (U.S.) health burden. Chronic spine pain poses a peculiar diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to multiple pain sources, overlapping clinical features, and nonspecific radiological findings. The facet joints can cause axial spinal pain and referred pain in the extremities. The pathology of the pain source is due to facet joints being richly innervated by the nerve fibers from the MB of the dorsal ramus of spinal nerves. Each facet has a dual nerve supply. One exception is at the C2–C3 zygapophysial joint, which has a singular nerve supply from the third occipital nerve (the superficial MB of C3 dorsal ramus). 2 Facet joint interventions may be used in pain management for chronic cervical/thoracic and back pain arising from the paravertebral facet joints. The facet block procedure is an injection of a local anesthetic, with or without a steroid medication, either into the facet joint (IA) or outside the joint space around the nerve supply to the joint (the MB nerve) known as medial branch block (MBB). Imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT per code descriptor) is used to assure accurate placement of the needle for the injection. Paravertebral facet joint denervation is a therapeutic intervention used to provide both long-term pain relief and reduce the likelihood of recurrence of chronic cervical/thoracic or back pain confirmed as originating in the facet joint’s MB nerve. 2 There are various methods that may be used in performing facet joint denervation. Percutaneous RFA is a minimally invasive procedure done with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT per code descriptor) and involves using energy in the radiofrequency range to cause necrosis of specific nerves (MBs of the dorsal rami), preventing the neural transmission of pain. Conventional RFA (non-pulsed or continuous) applies thermal energy of typically 80 to 85 degrees Celsius. The terms RFA and radiofrequency neurotomy are used interchangeably. Both terms refer to a procedure that destroys the functionality of the nerve using radiofrequency energy. Non-thermal methods of denervation include chemical (chemodenervation), low-grade thermal energy (less than 80 degrees Celsius), pulsed RFA, laser neurolysis, and cryoablation. 2 Throughout this document, societal recommendations with the grading of evidence are referenced. There are multiple systems to grade or rank the quality of medical evidence and develop evidence-based recommendations. Not all grading systems are equivalent, so while there are typically similarities in the grades or recommendations from various grading systems, they must be considered independent of the other. The references in this document refer to the following grading systems: Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Guidelines used in some systematic reviews, the basis for North American Spine Society (NASS) recommendations aligns with GRADE. A modified approach to the grading of evidence 3 and development of interventional pain management specific instrument 4 used in American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) Guidelines and some systematic reviews. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grading of evidence guidelines used by 2020 Consensus Guidelines by Cohen, et al. 5 Levels of Evidence for Primary Research Question and Grades of Recommendation for Summaries or Review of Studies adopted by NASS. 6 A multi-MAC Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel on facet joint and medial nerve branch procedures meeting was held on 5/28/2020. [NEEDS CLINICAL SPOT-CHECK]

How to submit

• Method: Traditional Medicare: no prior authorization in the office or ASC setting - bill Part B with documentation on file. If performed in a HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT, check the CMS OPD prior-authorization list for the specific code before the date of service. Medicare Advantage plans (Humana, UHC, Aetna, Blue Medicare) require their own PA but must apply this LCD's criteria under 42 CFR 422.101(b).

Sources & verification

• BindingSource - LCD: Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management (L35936) · effective 2026-04-09.View
• BindingSource - LCD: Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management (L38765) · effective 2026-04-09.View
• BindingSource - Prior Authorization for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department (OPD) Services - facet joint interventions added 07/01/2023 (42 CFR 419.83) · effective 2023-07-01.View

Binding = the payer's own policy. Proxy = a public, evidence-based clinical guideline the payer mirrors. Portal-only = the binding criteria are confirmed in the administrator's portal. Always confirm against the payer for the member's specific plan. Last verified 2026-09-20.

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