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11.15.22d, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal Stenosis
Act
immediately
Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Independence Blue Cross has reissued Policy 11.15.22d (now superseded by 11.15.22e as of 04/02/2025) confirming that Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for spinal stenosis remains experimental/investigational and NOT COVERED under commercial medical benefits. No coverage policy changes have occurred; this is a routine annual reissuance reaffirming the existing non-coverage position. Billing teams must continue to deny claims for CPT codes 62330 and 62331 when submitted for PILD procedures.
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What to do
immediately · 6 steps
01Confirm that your billing software continues to deny claims for CPT 62330 and 62331 (PILD for lumbar stenosis) as experimental/investigational services.
02Billing team must ensure denials are issued with the reason: 'Service is experimental/investigational and not a covered benefit.' No prior authorization is required—claims should be systematically denied at the claim processing level.
03If claims for these codes are currently being processed or paid, halt payment immediately and implement denial rules in your billing system.
04Flag any historical claims paid for CPT 62330/62331 to commercial plans for recovery.
05When providers request reconsideration, reference Policy 11.15.22e (the current version published 04/02/2025) which reaffirms non-coverage.
06Note: G0276 (blinded procedure for lumbar stenosis in CED trials) is the only allowable code if the procedure is performed within an approved Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) clinical trial.
Codes mentioned
6233062331G0276
Original notice
11.15.22d, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal Stenosis
medpolicy.ibx.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
Related changes
See all Independence Blue Cross changes →MA11.097e, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal StenosisMediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyMA11.097f, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal StenosisHighEffective Jan 1, 2026 · Medical PolicyMA11.097f, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal StenosisMediumEffective Jan 1, 2026 · Medical Policy11.15.22e, Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD) for Spinal StenosisMediumEffective Jan 1, 2026 · Medical PolicyBrowse every Independence Blue Cross change in the policy list