Wiki pain mgmt RFAs required time?

[LZtxpainCPC]

Hi Everyone, We've had a discussion going on internally about how one of our providers will perform lumbar RFAs (64635/36) and is only reaching the required temp for seconds. Does anyone have any feed back on the time duration required for RFAs. I have only found documentation on the requirement of temp being met, but not necessarily the duration of the ablation itself. For example, the provider will state, "nerve was ablated at 80 degrees Celsius for 5 seconds..." (lumbar MB RFA)
Some of the staff has been questions the 5 seconds. Any thoughts or feedback would be great.

 

[claudineerie@hotmail.com]

My physician states in his procedure note that he performs the ablation at each specific level at 80 degrees C for 90 seconds. Highmark just states 80C continuously and Medicare states 80-85C to create a continuous heat lesion. Hope this helps!!

 

[bdcoyne8]

We include time in our RFA's. I don't think it's "required" but I do think it's helpful to have that information.

 

[skiboi]

We do not include that information in our documentation for RFA's. I've not had any denials related to that or request for documentation on this procedure that has stuck out!

 

[LZtxpainCPC]

thank you everyone