Functional Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

This policy covers the use of functional neuromuscular/functional electrical stimulation (FES/NMES) devices to restore or improve motor function, prevent muscle atrophy, and enhance upper- and lower‑extremity activities (e.g., standing, stepping, dorsiflexion/foot‑drop, grasping, cycling) in neurologic conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy, including FDA‑cleared devices intended for home use. Major limitations/requirements: many applications remain labeled experimental/investigational (e.g., certain uses for nerve injury, ambulation in SCI or congenital disorders), coverage is generally tied to FDA 510(k) clearance with closed‑loop systems preferred for complex tasks, implanted or in‑clinic systems may not be addressed, and the evidence base is limited with few long‑term randomized trials.

"Use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices to restore motor function in patients with damaged or destroyed nerve pathways (e."