TENS not covered for chronic LBP

[Guest guest]

In a communication I received yesterday from CMS they formally communicated that

they would not cover TENS in the treatment of chronic low back pain. It wasn't

so much a surprise and it hasn't been a standard of practice in our clinics for

quite some time. However we do get occasional referrals from MDs requesting

TENS instruction for a patient. Does anyone have any perspective on whether

this recent communication is both for more traditional intervention using TENS,

or also for the instruction of patients in the safe use of TENS? Final

question, has anyone created a self pay structure yet around such non-coverage

items like this one?

van Well, PT

Henry Ford Health System

Detroit, MI

Sent from my 'new' iPad

[Guest guest]

Regarding this post:

In a communication I received yesterday from CMS they formally communicated that

they would not cover TENS in the treatment of chronic low back pain. It wasn't

so much a surprise and it hasn't been a standard of practice in our clinics for

quite some time. However we do get occasional referrals from MDs requesting TENS

instruction for a patient. Does anyone have any perspective on whether this

recent communication is both for more traditional intervention using TENS, or

also for the instruction of patients in the safe use of TENS? Final question,

has anyone created a self pay structure yet around such non-coverage items like

this one?

van Well, PT

Henry Ford Health System

Detroit, MI

Sent from my 'new' iPad

**********************

We have some further questions as well if anyone can help:

1. Does this only apply to patients referred to PT with the specific

diagnosis of " chronic LBP "

2. Does this apply to using TENS in the clinic or issuing a TENS unit for

home use?

Thank you!

Scheiman, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CKTP, CEES, CSST

Occupational Therapist

Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Services

Florida Hospital DeLand | Sports Medicine and Rehab

voice | fax

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest

[cid:image001.jpg@...]

[Guest guest]

Regarding this post:

In a communication I received yesterday from CMS they formally communicated that

they would not cover TENS in the treatment of chronic low back pain. It wasn't

so much a surprise and it hasn't been a standard of practice in our clinics for

quite some time. However we do get occasional referrals from MDs requesting TENS

instruction for a patient. Does anyone have any perspective on whether this

recent communication is both for more traditional intervention using TENS, or

also for the instruction of patients in the safe use of TENS? Final question,

has anyone created a self pay structure yet around such non-coverage items like

this one?

van Well, PT

Henry Ford Health System

Detroit, MI

Sent from my 'new' iPad

**********************

We have some further questions as well if anyone can help:

1. Does this only apply to patients referred to PT with the specific

diagnosis of " chronic LBP "

2. Does this apply to using TENS in the clinic or issuing a TENS unit for

home use?

Thank you!

Scheiman, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CKTP, CEES, CSST

Occupational Therapist

Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Services

Florida Hospital DeLand | Sports Medicine and Rehab

voice | fax

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest

[cid:image001.jpg@...]

[Guest guest]

Regarding this post:

In a communication I received yesterday from CMS they formally communicated that

they would not cover TENS in the treatment of chronic low back pain. It wasn't

so much a surprise and it hasn't been a standard of practice in our clinics for

quite some time. However we do get occasional referrals from MDs requesting TENS

instruction for a patient. Does anyone have any perspective on whether this

recent communication is both for more traditional intervention using TENS, or

also for the instruction of patients in the safe use of TENS? Final question,

has anyone created a self pay structure yet around such non-coverage items like

this one?

van Well, PT

Henry Ford Health System

Detroit, MI

Sent from my 'new' iPad

**********************

We have some further questions as well if anyone can help:

1. Does this only apply to patients referred to PT with the specific

diagnosis of " chronic LBP "

2. Does this apply to using TENS in the clinic or issuing a TENS unit for

home use?

Thank you!

Scheiman, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CKTP, CEES, CSST

Occupational Therapist

Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Services

Florida Hospital DeLand | Sports Medicine and Rehab

voice | fax

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest

[cid:image001.jpg@...]