PolicyChanges tracks payer policy changes for medical practices and tells you what to do before they take effect.

Create a free accountPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.
← Back to list
HumanaMedicaid · Prior Auth · Medicaid · KY · Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pain ManagementHigh impact

Spinal Decompression Surgery - MEDICAID - KENTUCKY (New)

Effective date
Oct 7, 2026
Identified
Oct 15, 2026

Summary

Humana Kentucky Medicaid has issued a new spinal decompression surgery coverage policy (HUM-KY-2660-000) effective 2026-10-07, establishing medical necessity criteria for discectomy, laminectomy, foraminectomy, and related procedures. The policy specifies coverage requirements including diagnostic imaging confirmation, clinical symptoms, and conservative treatment trial periods (6 weeks for herniated disc with radicular pain). Prior authorization is required for all covered services under this policy.

Get alerts when payers change rules like this one

We check Humana and other payers every day and email you when a change matches your specialty and state.

Get Humana alertsPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.

What to do

Action · 4 steps
01Effective 2026-10-07: Billing team must implement prior authorization requirements for all spinal decompression procedures covered under this policy (CPT codes 63055, 63064, 63066, 63077, 63078, 63172, 63173, 63295, 63185, 63190) in the billing system for Kentucky Medicaid members.
02Verify that encounter forms and clinical documentation capture required elements: diagnostic imaging confirmation, clinical symptoms, neurological signs, and documentation of 6-week conservative treatment trial (epidural injections, medications, or physical therapy) for herniated disc cases with radicular pain.
03Update internal clinical decision support tools to reflect the specific coverage criteria outlined in policy HUM-KY-2660-000.
04Confirm that prior authorization denials will result if medical necessity criteria are not met; claims submitted without meeting documented criteria will be denied by Humana Kentucky Medicaid.

Codes mentioned

63055630646306663077630786317263173632956318563190

Original notice

Spinal Decompression Surgery - MEDICAID - KENTUCKY (New)
mcp.humana.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
View original ↗

Related policy hubs

Summaries are AI-assisted. Always confirm against the original payer notice.

What is PolicyChanges

One workspace for payer rules, prior auth, coding and compliance

Medical practices use PolicyChanges to catch payer changes before they cause denials. Every change is summarized in plain English, with the codes involved, the date it takes effect and what to do.

Start freePolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.
Get alerts for changes like thisPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.Create a free account