Health Policy Affairs

On Nov. 7, 2025, SIR and ACR submitted a comment letter to five Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), strongly urging them to adopt evidence-based coverage policies that preserve patient access to image-guided, opioid-sparing interventional pain procedures. We emphasize recognition of diagnostic nerve blocks as essential tools for identifying appropriate candidates for targeted ablation and support continued coverage for medial branch, peripheral, genicular and pudendal nerve interventions. These policies align with national efforts to reduce opioid reliance and ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to safe, effective and clinically proven pain management options.

Additionally, on behalf of more than 100,000 physicians, SIR joined leading pain, spine and musculoskeletal societies in urging the MACs to rescind or revise its proposed non-coverage determination for peripheral nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation and related interventional pain procedures. The coalition emphasizes that the proposed policy contradicts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance promoting non-opioid, evidence-based pain management. These procedures are safe, effective and essential to reducing opioid reliance, improving patient function and maintaining access to multidisciplinary pain care for Medicare beneficiaries.