September 16, 2010

Successful Resolution of the TRICARE Issues: Coverage Restored for Cervical and Lumbar Facet Joint Denervation, and Thoracic Epidurals

TriCare issued covered policies in 2009 with elimination of coverage for lumbar and cervical facet joint denervation and thoracic epidurals. Since then, ASIPP and its board have worked diligently to find a solution for this through our government relations office in Washington and multiple legislators.

In January 2010, several of the board members met with TRICARE officials to discuss the lack of coverage for RF denervation also thoracic epidural. After multiple visits, presentations, calls, and letters, with the help of government officials, ASIPP Government Affairs Council, and many others, TRICARE has finally announced the addition of coverage of RF denervation procedure and also thoracic epidural procedure.

TRICARE Policy Manual is now available online at the TRICARE Manuals web site: http://manuals.tricare.osd.mil/index.cfm and in the search function select TRICARE Policy Manual (August 1, 2002) and enter C-129 (Chapter 4, Section 20.1, C-129, September 2, 2010).