Review the final LCD
The policies address therapeutic peripheral nerve injections and percutaneous denervation procedures for chronic pain. They set procedure-specific coverage criteria and limitations.
Medicare Peripheral Nerve Block LCDs Clinician & Practice Resources
Medicare Peripheral Nerve Block LCDs Clinician & Practice Resources
For Pain Medicine Clinicians and Practices
Medicare Peripheral Nerve Block LCDs: Resources for Pain Medicine Practices
Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have issued new Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for peripheral nerve injections and procedures used to manage chronic pain. Use these resources to review the policy that applies to your practice and share optional patient advocacy materials.
Know which Medicare policy applies
Effective dates vary by Medicare contractor. Four final MAC LCDs are scheduled to apply to services performed on or after October 25, 2026: CGS L40261, Palmetto GBA L40263, Wellpoint Federal L40267, and WPS L40300. Noridian LCD L40265 is scheduled to apply on or after November 1, 2026.
Check the CMS Medicare Coverage Database for the current LCD and its companion Billing & Coding Article for the relevant jurisdiction.
Understand the scope
Under the LCDs, a therapeutic peripheral nerve injection or denervation procedure not listed as covered is noncovered. Certain services—including regional anesthesia for surgery, acute pain, surgical or perioperative pain, and one-time diagnostic blocks necessary to diagnose a condition unless specified otherwise—are outside the LCDs’ scope.
Review the applicable policy before advising patients about a specific service or claim. Coverage and documentation requirements are jurisdiction- and procedure-specific.
Share AAPM’s patient advocacy resources
The AAPM Patient Advocacy Toolkit helps patients who wish to tell Congress how Medicare coverage policies affect their lives and care. It includes a sample message and links for contacting their U.S. representative and senators.
Patient Advocacy Toolkit
Direct patients to AAPM’s patient-facing page to learn about the coverage policies and find ways to contact Congress.
Patient Waiting-Room Poster
Download and display the 11 × 17 inch poster where patients can scan its QR code to reach the patient toolkit.
Make participation voluntary
Practices may share the toolkit or poster in the waiting room, at checkout, through the patient portal, on the practice website, or as an after-visit resource. Patients should send messages directly to congressional offices. Practices do not need to collect completed messages or information about patients’ political views.
1
Make materials available
Place the poster in a waiting area or share the patient toolkit link through practice communication channels.
2
Let patients decide
Offer the information without asking patients to participate or making it part of their care.
3
Keep messages patient-led
Patients choose what personal experience to share and send their messages directly to Congress.
4
Protect personal information
Remind patients not to include Medicare, Social Security, or other sensitive personal information.
Suggested staff language
“We have information about Medicare coverage policies for peripheral nerve blocks. If you’re interested, this explains how you can share your experience with your elected representatives. Participation is completely voluntary and will not affect your medical care.”
Frequently asked questions
The LCDs address specified peripheral nerve injections and denervation procedures for chronic pain. They also identify services outside their scope, including certain one-time diagnostic blocks unless stated otherwise. Review the applicable LCD before drawing conclusions about a particular service.
No. The policies identify services that may be covered when stated criteria are met, as well as procedures and indications that are restricted or noncovered. Coverage is procedure- and indication-specific.
No. The toolkit helps patients who wish to share their personal experiences with Congress. It does not provide medical advice or determine coverage.
No. Contacting Congress does not resolve an individual claim, guarantee a change in coverage, or replace an appeal. If a claim is denied, patients should ask Medicare or their plan for the reason and information about applicable appeal rights.
Search the CMS Medicare Coverage DatabaseVisit the AAPM Patient Advocacy Toolkit
Important: This page is for general information and does not determine coverage for an individual service or claim. Review the current policy and follow your organization’s compliance processes. Patient advocacy is voluntary and separate from clinical care and Medicare appeals.