Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Acute Post-Operative Pain

Medicare covers TENS for relief of acute post-operative pain from surgery, either as an adjunct to or an alternative to drugs, using durable or disposable devices. When used for acute post-operative pain, TENS is treated as a supply (inpatient under Part A or outpatient under Part B) and is expected to be needed for short durations (usually ≤30 days); use beyond that period should be reviewed for possible chronic-pain classification and DME coverage per §160.27.

"TENS is covered for the relief of acute post-operative pain resulting from surgery."

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