Eli's Rehab Report

Reader Question:

Synvisc for Shoulders

Question: Is there any way that Medicare will reimburse us for a shoulder injection using Synvisc?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: No. Because the FDA approved Synvisc (J7320, Hylan G-F 20, 16 mg, for intra-articular injection) only for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (715.16, 715.26, 715.36 and 715.96), Medicare will not cover its use for any other conditions.

Some private payers reimburse for the medication itself when Synvisc is injected into the shoulder, but most will not pay for the administration (20610*, Arthro-centesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa [e.g., shoulder, hip, knee joint, subacromial bursa]).

 

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