Join us as we delve deep into the pivotal March 18, 2023 local coverage determination (LCD) that has shaken the pain medicine community by limiting access to sacral lateral branch radiofrequency ablation and imposing stringent documentation requirements to demonstrate the medical necessity for sacroiliac (SI) joint injections.
In this episode, host Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and co-host Dr. Mustafa Broachwala, DO, tackle the contentious LCD that threatens to restrict options for patients suffering from chronic SI joint pain and their dedicated doctors. To shed light on this vital issue, they’re joined by Zachary L. McCormick, MD, Chief of Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Deputy Editor-in-Chief for AAPM’s journal, Pain Medicine; Lynn Kohan, MD, Chief of Pain Medicine and Fellowship Director at the University of Virginia School of Medicine; and Steven Cohen, MD, the Chief of Pain Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Senior Executive Editor for Pain Medicine.
All guests come with a wealth of experience and insight, having been at the forefront in addressing the ramifications of this LCD.
Tune in to discover:
- Understanding LCDs: Breaking down what LCDs are and their impact on the pain medicine landscape
- Probing the March 18 LCD: Understanding why it’s seen as controversial, and the potential consequences for pain medicine providers
- The Significance of Sacral Lateral Branch Radiofrequency Ablation: A closer look at the literature that supports its safety and effectiveness