Does Health Insurance Cover Nerve Block Procedures?

Pain resulting from nerve damage and related disorders may significantly impact one’s day-to-day functioning. Consequently, treatment for pain relief has been an integral part of medical practice.

These treatments include nerve blocks, which involve injecting drugs near specific nerves to prevent the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Nerve blocks are used by physicians to diagnose problems, treat acute and chronic pain, and provide local/regional anaesthesia.

Given the special, expensive treatment involved, patients tend to doubt the insurance coverage for their problems.

Read on to learn more about whether health insurance covers nerve block procedures.

When Does Health Insurance Cover Nerve Block Procedures?

Most insurance companies cover nerve block procedures, provided the doctor recommends the procedure as medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of pain-related conditions.

Nerve blocks can be covered if they are used for pain relief, whether in cases of acute or chronic pain conditions, for identifying the precise cause of the pain through diagnostic tests, or for anaesthesia during surgical operations. The insurance can provide coverage when prescribed for surgical purposes, post-operative pain, and treatment of nerve diseases.

Types of Nerve Block Treatment Procedures

Nerve block procedures have been categorised based on the specific nerve or nerve group being targeted for pain relief, diagnosis, or anaesthesia. These injections are commonly used to manage chronic pain, reduce inflammation, and support surgical procedures by temporarily blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. The types of nerve blocks are as follows:

• Celiac Plexus Nerve Block: Performed to help alleviate intense abdominal pain due to diseases such as pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.


• Epidural Nerve Block: Usually applied for labour and delivery, as well as surgery for numbness in regions such as the lower abdominal area and the legs.


• Genicular Nerve Block: Nerves surrounding the knee joints are targeted to treat chronic knee pain and post-surgical pain.


• Intercostal Nerve Block: Provides temporary pain relief for individuals suffering from rib fractures and nerve pain between the ribs.


• Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block: Used to treat pain in the lower back, legs, sciatica, and complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS).


• Occipital Nerve Block: Beneficial in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches and migraines involving the neck region.


• Pudendal Nerve Block: Useful in providing relief for pain in the pelvic, genital, rectal or coccyx regions, also in labour if epidurals are not appropriate.


• Stellate Ganglion Block: Applied in pain management for neck, upper chest, and arm pain, along with increasing blood flow.


• Trigeminal Nerve Block: Widely used in treating pain in the facial nerves and trigeminal neuralgia.

Health insurance usually covers nerve blocks when they are required for pain management, diagnostic purposes, or anaesthesia during surgery. However, this coverage is subject to the individual’s condition, reasons for treatment, and other factors.

Some diseases that affect the nerves in particular, including diabetes-induced or metabolic peripheral neuropathy, may not be covered by certain insurance policies. Therefore, it would be wise to check your health plan before receiving treatment.