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]

We know that CMS is considering altering its TENS coverage criteria for chronic

low back pain, but I have not heard anything official from CMS as of yet

regarding a final decision. The NCD site from CMS does not yet include any

information under " Revision History " for the NCD #280.13 which pertains to TENS.

Can you clarify what kind of communication you received from CMS?

[cid:image001.jpg@...]

Jean-Michel Geoffriau, PT | Director of Rehabilitation | Sta-Home Health &

Hospice | JGEOFFRIAU@...

406 Briarwood Drive, Bldg. 200 | , MS 39206 | Office: | Fax:

| Mobile:

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Scheiman,

Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 11:59 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: TENS not covered for chronic LBP

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@...<mailto:image001.jpg%4001CD489B.2AE40610>]

[Guest guest]

We know that CMS is considering altering its TENS coverage criteria for chronic

low back pain, but I have not heard anything official from CMS as of yet

regarding a final decision. The NCD site from CMS does not yet include any

information under " Revision History " for the NCD #280.13 which pertains to TENS.

Can you clarify what kind of communication you received from CMS?

[cid:image001.jpg@...]

Jean-Michel Geoffriau, PT | Director of Rehabilitation | Sta-Home Health &

Hospice | JGEOFFRIAU@...

406 Briarwood Drive, Bldg. 200 | , MS 39206 | Office: | Fax:

| Mobile:

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Scheiman,

Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 11:59 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: TENS not covered for chronic LBP

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@...<mailto:image001.jpg%4001CD489B.2AE40610>]

[Guest guest]

We know that CMS is considering altering its TENS coverage criteria for chronic

low back pain, but I have not heard anything official from CMS as of yet

regarding a final decision. The NCD site from CMS does not yet include any

information under " Revision History " for the NCD #280.13 which pertains to TENS.

Can you clarify what kind of communication you received from CMS?

[cid:image001.jpg@...]

Jean-Michel Geoffriau, PT | Director of Rehabilitation | Sta-Home Health &

Hospice | JGEOFFRIAU@...

406 Briarwood Drive, Bldg. 200 | , MS 39206 | Office: | Fax:

| Mobile:

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Scheiman,

Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 11:59 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: TENS not covered for chronic LBP

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@...<mailto:image001.jpg%4001CD489B.2AE40610>]