Effective November 1, 2017 WSI will require documentation of a negative cotinine level at both six weeks and one week prior to an elective cervical or lumbar fusion surgery scheduled for an injured worker. Prior to this change, a negative cotinine level was only required at six weeks prior to surgery. This new requirement is to ensure the injured worker is in the best healing condition prior to surgery.
To assist an injured worker in achieving negative cotinine levels prior to an approved elective fusion surgery, WSI offers coverage of a smoking cessation program. A WSI medical case manager will contact the injured worker to discuss arrangements for smoking cessation.
If you have questions about this article, please send an email to wsipr@nd.gov. To receive provider news, subscribe to our Email Updates list.