Coverage Decisions for Medical Technologies & Procedures

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Coverage Decisions for Medical Technologies & Procedures

Bone cements for use during kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty

Coverage decision

L&I does not cover kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty for the treatment of spinal compression fractures.

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are surgical procedures used to treat compression fractures of the spine. Both procedures use polymethylmethacrylate bone cement to stabilize the fractured bone.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notification expressing concern over the safety of polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic) bone cements used during the procedures. Complications associated with acrylic bone cement include soft tissue damage, nerve root pain and compression, pulmonary embolism, respiratory and cardiac failure, abdominal intrusions and death.

PDF icon Provider Bulletin 04-01 (99 KB PDF).
FDA Public Health Web Notification (22 KB PDF)

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