Billing Requirements for Thermal Intradiscal Procedures (TIPs)

Effective for services on or after September 29, 2008, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made the decision that Thermal Intradiscal Procedures (TIPS) are not reasonable and necessary for the treatment of low back pain. Therefore, TIPs are non-covered. Refer to Pub.100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determination (NCD) Manual Chapter 1, Part 2, Section 150.11, for further information on the NCD

The following Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes will be nationally non-covered by Medicare effective for dates of service on and after September 29, 2008:

22526: Percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty, unilateral or bilateral including fluoroscopic guidance; single level

22527: Percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty, unilateral or bilateral including fluoroscopic guidance; one or more additional levels

0062T: Percutaneous intradiscal annuloplasty, any method except electrothermal, unilateral or bilateral including fluoroscopic guidance; single level

0063T: Percutaneous intradiscal annuloplasty, any method except electrothermal, unilateral or bilateral including fluoroscopic guidance; one or more additional levels

NOTE: The change to add the non-covered indicator for the above HCPCS codes will be part of the January 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update. The change to the status indicator to non-cover the above HCPCS will be part of the January Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (IOCE) update.
Claims submitted with the non-covered HCPCS codes on or after September 29, 2008, will be denied by Medicare contractors.