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

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