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With the intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty procedure (IDET™, Oratec SpineCath System), a navigable catheter with an embedded thermal resistive coil is inserted posterolaterally into the disc annulus or nucleus. The catheter is then snaked through the disc circuitously to return posteriorly. Using indirect radiofrequency energy, electrothermal heat is generated within the thermal resistive coil at a temperature of 90 degrees centigrade; the disc material is heated for up to 20 minutes. Proposed advantages of indirect electrothermal delivery of radiofrequency energy with IDET include precise temperature feedback and control, and the ability to provide electrothermocoagulation to a broader tissue segment than would be allowed with a direct radiofrequency needle.

Another procedure, referred to as percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PIRFT), uses direct application of radiofrequency energy. With PIRFT, the radiofrequency probe is placed into the center of the disc and the device is activated for only 90 seconds at a temperature of 70 degrees centigrade. The procedure is not designed to coagulate, burn, or ablate tissue. The Radionics RF Disc Catheter System has been specifically designed for this purpose.

A more recently developed annuloplasty procedure, referred to as intradiscal biacuplasty (Baylis Medical, Inc., Montreal, Canada), involves the use of two cooled radiofrequency electrodes placed on the posterolateral sides of the intervertebral annulus fibrosus. It is believed that by cooling the probes a larger area may be treated than could occur with a regular needle probe. The Baylis Pain Management Cooled Probe received marketing clearance through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 510(k) process in 2005. It is intended for use “in conjunction with the Radio Frequency Generator to create radiofrequency lesions in nervous tissue.” 

Note: This policy specifically addresses the IDET™ procedure. This policy does not address DISC nucleoplasty™, a technique based on a device offered by ArthroCare. A bipolar radiofrequency device is used to provide Coblation®, which is designed to provide tissue removal with minimal thermal damage to collateral tissue. DISC nucleoplasty is closer in concept to a laser discectomy, in that tissue is removed or ablated in an effort to provide decompression of a bulging disc. DISC nucleoplasty is considered in the Decompression of Intervertebral Discs Using Laser (Laser Discectomy) or Radiofrequency Energy (DISC Nucleoplasty™) policy.

Investigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

5/21/2001: Code Reference section revised

2/12/2002: Investigational definition added

5/1/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

10/1/2002: Description section revised to be consistent with BCBSA policy, Policy number added to Sources

9/29/2003: HCPCS S2370, S2371 added

11/2003: Reviewed by MPAC, remains investigational

1/21/2004: Code Reference section reviewed; no changes

2/18/2005: Policy reviewed, CPT code 0062T, 0063T added

3/22/2005: CPT code 64999 Note: "There is no specific CPT code for this investigational procedure" deleted and Note: "To report services on or after 1-1-2005, see CPT codes 0062T-0063T" added

4/4/2006: Policy updated.

1/2/2007: Code Reference section updated per the 2007 CPT/HCPCS revisions

1/5/2007: Policy reviewed, no changes

4/3/2008: Revised policy statement to include disc biacuplasty as investigational. CPT 0062T added. Policy title changed to "Percutaneous Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty and Percutaneous Intradiscal Radiofrequency Annuloplasty." Previous title was "Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty (IDET)."

4/24/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

12/17/2009: Coding Section revised for 2010 CPT4 and HCPCS revisions

09/09/2010:  Policy reviewed. Added link to related policy. Policy statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section.

08/03/2011: Policy reviewed. Policy statement unchanged. Deleted outdated references from the Sources section.

09/25/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

All codes billed for this procedure are considered investigational and not eligible for coverage. 

Non-Covered Codes

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