US · guidance
CMS Pub. 100-03, ch. 1, § 160.1
Induced Lesions of Nerve Tracts
Surgically induced lesions of nerve tracts which involve destruction of nerve tissue are
primarily indicated for controlling the chronic or acute pain arising from conditions such
as terminal cancer or lumbar degenerative arthritis. Induced lesions of nerve tracts may
be produced by surgical cutting of the nerve (rhizolysis), chemical destruction of the
nerve, or by creation of a radio-frequency lesion (electrocautery). Accordingly, program
payment may be made for these denervation procedures when used in selected cases
(concurred in by the A/B MAC’s medical staff) to treat chronic pain.
Note that these procedures differ from those employing implanted electrodes and
associated equipment to control pain in that the nerve fibers are ablated rather than
stimulated and no electronic equipment is required by the patient after the operation.
History
(Rev. 173, Issued: 09-04-14, Effective: Upon Implementation: of ICD-10, Implementation: Upon Implementation of ICD-10)
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-25
- Edition
- iom-2026-08-25
- Content hash
671b699b25ff4a8fa201fbdd4e37ab4cc67fdd8206eea72a005b6828c9009032
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