Effective immediately, the policy requiring a surgeon to have inserted a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) on three occasions before implanting a VNS for a Medi-Cal recipient has been eliminated. The policy will now be that a surgeon implanting a VNS device must have surgical privileges that allow insertion of this device. In addition, the surgeon requesting authorization to implant a VNS device must indicate on the Treatment Authorization Request the name of the neurologist who will follow-up with the patient post-implantation, and this neurologist must be familiar with the settings and protocols for use of the device.

This information is reflected on manual replacement page surg nerv 9 (Part 2).