LCD/NCD Portal

NCD160.16

 

VERTEBRAL AXIAL DECOMPRESSION (VAX-D)

 

Effective Date of this Version

4/15/1997

 

Benefit Category

• Physicians' Services.

• Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

 

Item/Service Description

• Vertebral axial decompression is performed for symptomatic relief of pain associated with lumbar disk problems.

• The treatment combines pelvic and/or cervical traction connected to a special table that permits the traction application.

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

• There is insufficient scientific data to support the benefits of this technique. Therefore, VAX-D is not covered by Medicare.

 

Medicare NCD Link