Spinal Decompression Coding: Are Insurers Being Fair

July 4, 2024, 8:36 pm

Vertebral axial decompression treatment sessions are accurately represented by HCPCS S9090, which clearly indicates 'vertebral axial decompression, per session. Once again, chiropractors must be aware that there are rules and regulations that govern the documentation, coding, fee-setting, and advertising of non-covered services. Chiropractors should keep in mind that the table that they choose will only be as effective as their ability to learn to distinguish which patients are candidates for spinal decompression therapy. Many of our local colleagues are also purchasing the DRX9000 system for helping their patients. Six years later, without admitting any violations of the law, Axiom agreed to a permanent injunction promising only to make any claims based on "competent and reliable scientific evidence" and to reimburse the attorney general $19, 000 for its costs. Without question, that distinction goes to the ACN/Great West/Golden Rule/United HealthCare multi-headed monster.

Cost Of Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

If the patients' symptoms worsen while they are doing spinal decompression sessions, it is advised that they should stop these sessions immediately. In the early 1990s, spinal decompression tables sold for over $100, 000. We have had patients see great results by going through spinal decompression therapy post-surgery. Decompression Therapy in Mauldin is a non-surgical procedure that effectively treats disabling low back, neck, radiating leg & arm pain, and headaches.

Why Is Spinal Decompression Not Covered By Insurance

As you progress through your treatment sessions, you will begin to experience more flexibility, a wider range of motion, and less daily back or neck pain. How much does spinal decompression cost? We welcome patients from all over the world and would like to help you look your best. Truth be told, some people say they felt better almost immediately afterward. "Had to use a wheelchair. Musallam acknowledged, however, that more research is needed on spinal decompression in general. And federal and state regulators who can sanction false claims now show little evidence that they are interested in reining them in, the investigation found. The certification course is taught by the leading experts in spinal decompression, KDT has trained doctors worldwide and treated thousands of patients using a variety of decompression systems. A herniated disc, also known as slipped or bulged disc, is when the nucleus of a spinal disc slips out. Click here for more information about James Edwards, DC.

Spinal Decompression Covered By Insurance

It depends on how severe your back damage is. One of the claims the regulators targeted was from a 2003 study by Dr. Thomas Gionis — who had previously done prison time and had his license put on probation after being convicted of plotting an assault on his estranged wife — that found 86 percent of patients treated with an unnamed spinal decompression device experienced an "immediate resolution of symptoms. 7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd. The harness will be placed around the hips and attached to a traction machine which will control the tension and weight it will use to distract the spine. Use at your own risk. No, it is actually very comfortable!

Is Spinal Decompression Covered By Insurance Plans

The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, Quarterly Journal of ACO, June 2004. This advanced technique is a non-surgical option that can finally bring relief to many people who suffer from neck or back pain. The patient continued to have complications a year-and-a-half later, according to the complaint. 1) It's Not Just a Surgical Procedure. By the late 2000s, Axiom Worldwide's DRX9000 appears to have pulled ahead of the pack, industry insiders say, thanks perhaps to an aggressive marketing plan. Does spinal decompression make you taller?

Is Spinal Decompression Safe

But here's the "rub. " Spinal decompression treatment is somewhat controversial. Journal of Neuroimaging. This has become even more significant considering the recent directives issued by the American College of Primary Care Physicians, the Joint Commission, and the United States Surgeon General urging medical doctors and hospitals to recommend alternative, non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief including chiropractic care. This type of treatment is very effective in relieving pain. It is recommended that patients with failed back syndrome, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, sciatica, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease. Some patients even fall asleep during their treatment sessions. Keep the safety switch in your hand and turn the machine off if you need to. If you should experience any of these problems, inform your chiropractor immediately so they can reposition the table or change the settings on the program. See How Much Does an MRI Cost. Even if you are a good candidate, the number of times you will need to undergo decompression will vary, with some people needing as few as 15 treatments and others as many as 30 treatment sessions. However, spinal decompression therapy after bone fusion or non-fusion surgery, can be performed.

Is Spinal Decompression Covered By Insurance Online

This gentle separation promotes healing. Exclusively Yours custom pillows ($120) give proper overnight support and are prescribed for all cervical decompression patients. Sometimes spinal decompression therapy may be combined with the hot/cold therapy and electric stimulation techniques to aid in the patient's recovery. As the Gionis study came under fire from regulators, Axiom realized it needed new data and formed a medical advisory board to do additional studies, Musallam said. "All but two of the patients in the study improved at least 30% or more in the first three weeks. Sleeping or sitting in awkward positions may cause back pains. External Resources: |. Through Spinal Decompression Therapy in Jacksonville FL, patients will find relief from back pain as a majority of our patients are able to return to a normal lifestyle with little to no pain. Then, we recommend regular maintenance sessions to keep everything working properly. We think that spinal decompression may be the answer you're looking for. Anyone who has back, neck, arm or leg pain may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. The DRX9000 and DRX9000C were FDA cleared for treatment of disc and facet joint injuries in 1998 and are well utilized on the east and west coasts, Florida and Texas. But if there is anything we haven't covered in this post, then please get in touch and we'll be happy to help you out.

Is Non Surgical Spinal Decompression Covered By Insurance

Your chiropractor is a specialist in the vertebrae of the spine, the muscles, and connective tissue surrounding the spine and other joints. One harness is placed around the pelvis, the other around the waist. Click here if you would like to review the studies yourself or click here to read an article about spinal decompression that appeared in "To Your Health" Magazine. First is when a patient is feeling back pain for six months after repetitive spinal surgery. Spinal Decompression Therapy: Safe, Effective and Affordable.

Several local clinics have purchased spinal decompression systems since we began offering this treatment in December, 2004. This is because there are more machines now in the market place. As a result of our review, we identified claims for vertebral axial decompression that were incorrectly coded as traction (CPT 97012). There is no insurance coverage for this particular form of spinal decompression, so he has to pay the full amount up front. We hope to clear up some common misconceptions below. "Results showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment.

What are the spinal decompression therapy risks? Our treatment can make you approximately 1% taller, but this will only last until your spine compresses again. Some payers will cover this service and some do not. Posted November 11 2013. Decompression Therapy is an approved procedure that is covered by many insurance companies. The forms of therapy for back pain are classified broadly into two: surgical and non-surgical medical interventions. We do not hesitate to refer you to surgeons or other appropriate providers if we don't believe you are a good candidate for spinal decompression. The treatment may either increase or decrease in frequency depending on the body's response to the procedure. Each person is unique and not every bulging disc is the same. This treatment helps patients avoid the risk of anesthesia, surgical complications, and the potential of failed back surgery. We will never tell you there is a "waiting list" for our service and you must act now or lose out.

Are there medical studies that document the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy? Many doctors in Minnesota have not been introduced to this breakthrough technology yet, and sadly, many patients who could benefit from treatment may not know about this opportunity. Today the patient walks out the door right after surgery. For drugs that it approves, the FDA requires three randomized clinical trials.

3) Can Spinal Decompression Cause More Damage? The use of improper codes for these services could result in severe sanctions, including contract termination.

"We try to stick to hard facts and things that are credible, " he said. Am I a good candidate? This action creates a vacuum effect, pulling bulging discs back into place and alleviating irritation on the nervous system. Learning new techniques for lifting. This treatment method has been used successfully for almost 20 years by creating negative pressure, but also allowing oxygen, improved blood circulation, and nutritional requirements to return to the area around the discs, as well as the discs themselves. Below are the pertinent points from their May 18, 2007, communication to their contracted providers: "This is an important notice from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (BCBSKC) that vertebral axial decompression treatments are considered investigational and therefore not covered. Afterward, if the chiropractor determines that this type of surgery is necessary, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist and work with them to help you during your recovery after surgery. If you consult a doctor, then it can often cost as much as $4, 000 for treatment. But the research, in many cases funded by Axiom, included big caveats: Because it lacked scientific rigor, including double-blinding in which neither doctors nor patients know who was randomly assigned real treatment versus placebos, no definite conclusions could be drawn. C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, and Vera Borgmeyer, RN, MA.

Decompression Therapy is a highly successful treatment for patients suffering from bulging, herniated, degenerative, or ruptured discs as well as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many failed back surgery cases. Most people find that lying flat on a table is uncomfortable or a bit painful, depending on which area of the back the pain is located. On the DRX9000 Facebook page, more than a year before the lawsuit was filed, Reynolds claimed that in her 15 years of treating patients she had chalked up a 96 percent "success" rate, though she didn't describe what that meant. "I personally had three failed spine surgeries, " she wrote, "and the DRX 9000 is what finally cured my back pain. "Again, BCBSKC does not provide coverage for vertebral axial decompression.