The spine gurus at LDR are celebrating an event that should make a real difference in the lives of patients…UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is now covering one and two-level cervical disc replacement. As indicated by LDR, this move, which affects those with degenerative cervical disc disease, follows compelling clinical data in support of cervical arthroplasty and the volume of information available from a multitude of studies supports the safety and efficacy of these procedures. UHC’s positive coverage decision further validates cervical disc replacement for both one and two-level surgery as a standard treatment option for indicated patients.
LDR Applauds UHC Cervical Disc Coverage
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Joe Ross, executive vice president of Global Marketing for LDR, told OTW, “This is a significant payor coverage milestone in support of coverage for cervical disc replacement. It is a reflection of the expansive body of Level I evidence demonstrating the short and long-term safety and efficacy of the procedure. We look forward to other payor reviews and their consideration of broader coverage. We are pleased that large, national payors such as UHC are taking a leadership role in providing their members access to cutting edge treatment options which have demonstrated clinical benefits in rigorous, controlled trials.”
“This decision facilitates a more straightforward pathway for coverage for UnitedHealthcare patients. A published policy establishes clear and objective criteria for physicians to reference and follow.”
UnitedHealthcare is an operating division of UnitedHealth Group, the largest single health carrier in the United States.
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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