N.J. Admin. Code § 11:3-4.5
Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024
Section 11:3-4.5 - Diagnostic tests(a) The personal injury protection medical expense benefits coverage shall not provide reimbursement for the following diagnostic tests, which have been determined to yield no data of any significant value in the development, evaluation and implementation of an appropriate plan of treatment for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents: 2. Spinal diagnostic ultrasound;5. Surrogate arm mentoring;6. Surface electromyography (surface EMG);8. Mandibular tracking and stimulation.(b) The personal injury protection medical expense benefits coverage shall provide for reimbursement of the following diagnostic tests, which have been determined to have value in the evaluation of injuries, the diagnosis and development of a treatment plan for persons injured in a covered accident, when medically necessary and consistent with clinically supported findings: 1. Needle electromyography (needle EMG) when used in the evaluation and diagnosis of neuropathies and radicular syndrome where clinically supported findings reveal a loss of sensation, numbness or tingling. A needle EMG is not indicated in the evaluation of TMJ/D and is contraindicated in the presence of infection on the skin or cellulitis. This test should not normally be performed within 14 days of the traumatic event and should not be repeated where initial results are negative. Only one follow up exam is appropriate.2. Somasensory evoked potential (SSEP), visual evoked potential (VEP), brain audio evoked potential (BAEP), or brain evoked potential (BEP), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and H-reflex Study are reimbursable when used to evaluate neuropathies and/or signs of atrophy, but not within 21 days following the traumatic injury.3. Electroencephalogram (EEG) when used to evaluate head injuries, where there are clinically supported findings of an altered level of sensorium and/or a suspicion of seizure disorder. This test, if indicated by clinically supported findings, can be administered immediately following the insured event. When medically necessary, repeat testing is not normally conducted more than four times per year.4. Videofluroscopy only when used in the evaluation of hypomobility syndrome and wrist/carpal hypomobility, where there are clinically supported findings of no range or aberrant range of motion or dysmmetry of facets exist. This test should not be performed within three months following the insured event and follow up tests are not normally appropriate.5. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when used in accordance with the guidelines contained in the American College of Radiology, Appropriateness Criteria to evaluate injuries in numerous parts of the body, particularly the assessment of nerve root compression and/or motor loss. MRI is not normally performed within five days of the insured event. However, clinically supported indication of neurological gross motor deficits, incontinence or acute nerve root compression with neurologic symptoms may justify MRI testing during the acute phase immediately post injury. In the case of TMJ/D where there are clinical signs of internal derangement such as nonself-induced clicking, deviation, limited opening, and pain with a history of trauma to the lower jaw, an MRI is allowable to show displacement of the condylar disc, such procedure following a panographic or transcranial x-ray and six or eight weeks of conservative treatment. This TMJ/D diagnostic test may be repeated post surgery and/or post appliance therapy.6. Computer assisted tomographic studies (CT, CAT Scan) when used to evaluate injuries in numerous aspects of the body. With the exception of suspected brain injuries, CAT Scan is not normally administered immediately post injury, but may become appropriate within five days of the insured event. Repeat CAT Scans should not be undertaken unless there is clinically supported indication of an adverse change in the patient's condition. In the case of TMJ/D where there are clinical signs of degenerative joint disease as a result of traumatic injury of the temporomandibular joint, tomograms may not be performed sooner than 12 months following traumatic injury.7. Dynatron/cyber station/cybex when used to evaluate muscle deterioration or atrophy. These tests should not be performed within 21 days of the insured event and should not be repeated if results are negative. Repeat tests are not appropriate at less than six months intervals.8. Sonograms/ultrasound when used in the acute phase to evaluate the abdomen and pelvis for intra-abdominal bleeding. These tests are not normally used to assess joints (knee and elbow) because other tests are more appropriate. Where MRI is performed, sonograms/ultrasound are not necessary. However, echocardiogram is appropriate in the evaluation of possible cardiac injuries when clinically supported.9. Thermography/thermograms only when used to evaluate pain associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy ("RSD"), in a controlled setting by a physician experienced in such use and properly trained.10. Brain mapping, when done in conjunction with appropriate neurodiagnostic testing.(c) The terms "normal," "normally," "appropriate" and "indicated" as used in (b) above, are intended to recognize that no single rule can replace the good faith educated judgment of a health care provider. Thus, "normal," "normally," "appropriate" and "indicated" pertain to the usual, routine, customary or common experience and conclusion, which may in unusual circumstances differ from the actual judgment of course of treatment. The unusual circumstances shall be based on clinically supported findings of a health care provider. The use of these terms is intended to indicate some flexibility and avoid rigidity in the application of these rules in the decision point review required in (d) below.(d) Except as provided in (e) below, a determination to administer any of the tests in (b) above shall be subject to decision point review pursuant to 11:3-4.7.(e) The requirements of (b) and (d) above shall not apply to diagnostic tests administered during emergency care.(f) Pursuant to 13:30-8.2 2(b), the personal injury protection medical expense coverage shall not provide reimbursement for the following diagnostic tests which have been identified by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry as failing to yield data of sufficient volume to alter or influence the diagnosis or treatment plan employed to treat TMJ/D: 6. Electroencephalogram (EEG);7. Thermograms/thermographs;8. Video fluoroscopy; andN.J. Admin. Code § 11:3-4.5
Amended by R.2000 d.454, effective 11/6/2000.
See: 31 N.J.R. 4210(a), 32 N.J.R. 4005(c).
In (a), deleted a former 6, and recodified former 7 through 9 as 6 through 8; in (b), substituted a reference to infections for a reference to staph infections in 1, added fourth and fifth sentences in 5, rewrote 6, deleted a former fourth sentence in 8, and added 9 and 10; in (c), substituted references to health care providers for references to trained medical professionals throughout; and added new (f).