On November 5, AAPM&R submitted comments to five Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) requesting the withdrawal of their draft policies on Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Procedures for Chronic Pain. Further, we have urged the MACs to collaborate with relevant specialty societies, including AAPM&R, to review evidence and develop appropriate criteria for coverage.
In addition to submitting Academy comments on this issue, AAPM&R also joined two coalition efforts in opposition to the LCDs. As members of the Multisociety Pain Workgroup, AAPM&R joined a coalition comment letter led by the International Pain and Pine Intervention Society, which documented the substantial body of clinical evidence supporting these procedures. Further, AAPM&R joined a coalition response led by the American Podiatric Medical Association, which opposed implementation of the concerning LCDs.
AAPM&R is grateful to all of our members who submitted individual comments to and met directly with the MACs to express opposition to the draft LCDs, documenting the value of these interventions to their individual patient populations. Your Academy will monitor updates from the MACs and share any further news on this issue with members.