Insurance: health insurers; physical therapy requirement for lumbar epidural steroid injection; eliminate. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406ww.
Key claim: This bill would stop health insurers from requiring patients to try physical therapy before covering a lumbar epidural steroid injection.
Abstract
(SB1149 · 103rd Legislature) Insurance: health insurers; physical therapy requirement for lumbar epidural steroid injection; eliminate. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406ww. Sponsor: Sen. Erika Geiss (D) + 1 co-sponsor In committee: S Health Policy Latest action (2026-09-09): Referred To Committee On Health Policy
Why this matters
Prior-treatment requirements are a common insurer utilization-management tool, and carving out a single procedure signals ongoing legislative interest in narrowing them one indication at a time. If enacted, patients with lumbar spine pain could access epidural steroid injections without first completing a physical therapy course, while insurers lose one cost-containment lever for this procedure.