In a letter to Aetna, ISASS expressed concern with Section IX – Intervertebral Body Fusion Devices (Spine Cages) of Aetna Back Pain – Invasive Procedures Policy Number 0016 (“Policy”). Section IX of the Policy allows coverage of cages for cervical fusion under the following indications: A. Multilevel (three or more vertebral bodies) corpectomy (removal of half or more of vertebral body, not mere removal of osteophytes and minor decompression) in the treatment of one of the following: 1. for tumors involving one or more vertebrae, or 2. greater than 50 percent compression fracture of vertebrae, or 3. retropulsed bone fragments, or 4. central canal stenosis with myelopathy. B. Multilevel (three or more vertebral bodies) fusion for pseudarthrosis in persons with
[…]