Facet Joint and Medial Branch Injections / The OIG weighs in

Why This Topic Matters

Facet joint and medial branch injection services were identified as an area of significant Medicare payment error and increased contractor scrutiny. Understanding the scope of the review and the surrounding compliance focus helps practices monitor documentation quality and billing integrity.

Article Sections

1. OIG report on facet joint injection services

   Summarizes the federal review of facet joint injection claims and the broad compliance concerns identified in Medicare payment data.

2. Medicare contractor scrutiny and CMS follow-up

   Describes the later Medicare administrative attention to these services and the general emphasis on documentation, coding, and medical necessity.

3. Fee comparison table for commonly used joint injection codes

   Presents a payment comparison table for selected injection services across payer settings and jurisdictions.