MEDICAL NECESSITY FOR MRI

MRI is the single best test to determine the presence of disc injuries.

Clinical signs that justify the medical necessity for an MRI are:

• Radiculopathy &/or Paresthesia
  
• Neurologic deficit
  
• Nature and extent of injury to spinal cord-vertebral column-ligaments and interspinal soft tissues following trauma
  
• Muscle-tendon-ligament tears
  
• Spinal instability
  
• Ligament laxity
  
• Failure to respond as expected to conservative care
  

Source: ACR American College of Radiology-(ASNR) American Society of Neuroradiology-(AHRQ) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality