Advocacy is one of the three pillars of ASRA Pain Medicine's mission. ASRA Pain Medicine addresses this core purpose by advocating at the regulatory level in the best interest of our members and the patients they serve. (Note: ASRA Pain Medicine does not participate in political advocacy.)
The Latest Health Policy Updates
ASRA Pain Medicine Urges Action on Proposed Medicare Coverage Limits for Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Other Chronic Pain Procedures
Several Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have issued proposed Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) that would dramatically restrict Medicare coverage for peripheral nerve blocks and related procedures used to treat chronic pain
Under the proposed policies, coverage would be limited to radiofrequency neurolysis for trigeminal neuralgia, corticosteroid injections for median neuropathy at the wrist (up to three injections), and corticosteroid injections for Morton’s neuroma (up to two injections). All other peripheral nerve block and denervation procedures—including occipital, stellate ganglion, suprascapular, genicular, pudendal, and posterior tibial nerve interventions—would be deemed noncovered services.
ASRA Pain Medicine believes these proposals misclassify many evidence-based procedures as not medically necessary, which could significantly limit access to effective pain management for patients nationwide.
Clinicians, researchers, and professional societies are strongly encouraged to review the proposed LCDs and submit comments to their respective MACs before the deadlines. Public participation is essential to ensure that coverage determinations reflect clinical evidence and patient need
How to Comment
Submit comments directly through your MAC before the deadlines below:
- CGS Proposed LCD (DL40261) – comments due November 8, 2025
- NGS Proposed LCD (DL40267) – comments due November 8, 2025
- Noridian Proposed LCD (DL40265) – comments due November 8, 2025
- Palmetto Proposed LCD (DL40263) – comments due November 8, 2025
- WPS Proposed LCD (DL40300) – comments due November 22, 2025
Several MACs will also host public meetings in late October. Pain medicine professionals are encouraged to register and share their clinical experience and perspective.
ASRA Pain Medicine will continue to advocate for appropriate coverage policies that align with best evidence and patient-centered care.
Read More
ASRA Pain Medicine Urges Action on Proposed Medicare Coverage Limits for Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Other Chronic Pain Procedures
Several Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have issued proposed Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) that would dramatically restrict Medicare coverage for peripheral nerve blocks and related procedures used to treat chronic pain
Under the proposed policies, coverage would be limited to radiofrequency neurolysis for trigeminal neuralgia, corticosteroid injections for median neuropathy at the wrist (up to three injections), and corticosteroid injections for Morton’s neuroma (up to two injections). All other peripheral nerve block and denervation procedures—including occipital, stellate ganglion, suprascapular, genicular, pudendal, and posterior tibial nerve interventions—would be deemed noncovered services.
ASRA Pain Medicine believes these proposals misclassify many evidence-based procedures as not medically necessary, which could significantly limit access to effective pain management for patients nationwide.
Clinicians, researchers, and professional societies are strongly encouraged to review the proposed LCDs and submit comments to their respective MACs before the deadlines. Public participation is essential to ensure that coverage determinations reflect clinical evidence and patient need
How to Comment
Submit comments directly through your MAC before the deadlines below:
- CGS Proposed LCD (DL40261) – comments due November 8, 2025
- NGS Proposed LCD (DL40267) – comments due November 8, 2025
- Noridian Proposed LCD (DL40265) – comments due November 8, 2025
- Palmetto Proposed LCD (DL40263) – comments due November 8, 2025
- WPS Proposed LCD (DL40300) – comments due November 22, 2025
Several MACs will also host public meetings in late October. Pain medicine professionals are encouraged to register and share their clinical experience and perspective.
ASRA Pain Medicine will continue to advocate for appropriate coverage policies that align with best evidence and patient-centered care.
Pain Medicine Coalition
ASRA Pain Medicine and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) established the Pain Medicine Coalition (PMC) in 2024 to advance the common goals of the pain medicine community and to advocate for responsible pain care for all patients. The International Pain & Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) are also members of the coalition. Its purpose is to develop, monitor, and advocate for responsible health care policy for people who experience both acute and chronic pain and the physicians who support them. They do their work through clinical care, education addressing quality of care, access to care, public and professional education, and research.
Read more about the Pain Medicine Coalition:
ASA and ASRA Pain Medicine: Speaking With One Voice
President’s Message: The Power of ASRA Pain Medicine Volunteers
Are You a Member of AMA?
The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest physician organization and works to advocate for key issues that matter in your practice such as prior authorization, Medicare reform, promoting physician-led work, and more. ASRA Pain Medicine works with the AMA to advocate for the issues that matter in your practice with representation in the AMA House of Delegates, the Relative Value Scale Update Committee, and the Current Procedural Terminology Committees. ASRA Pain Medicine provides expert information and testimony specific to regional anesthesia and acute and chronic pain.
Learn more about the benefits of membership in AMA.
Read the latest AMA news and sign up for news alerts at ama-assn.org.
Practice Management
Find more health policy information in our Practice Management Resource Center.