HNS Policy  

BCBSNC and CIGNA Healthcare do not cover Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAD) because it is considered investigational. Vertebral Axial Decompression must not be billed to either of these payors.

Vertebral Axial Decompression is one type of mechanical lumbar traction that has been investigated as a treatment method to reduce intradiscal pressure and relieve low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, sciatica or radiculopathy.  Herniated and degenerated discs can cause pain by compressing the spinal nerves near the bulging disc.

Decompression therapy is a noninvasive, nonsurgical approach to treating chronic low back pain and is based on the theory that reducing pressure in the intervertebral discs and/or intervertebral joint spaces will relieve back pain.

If a payor does cover decompression it must be billed using the correct code of S9090.