Electrical Nerve Stimulators

Medicare covers implanted peripheral nerve stimulators for chronic intractable pain (including temporary trials used as diagnostic evaluation) and covers dorsal column and depth brain neurostimulators as therapies for chronic intractable pain. Coverage for central nervous system stimulators is conditional: implantation must be a late resort after other therapies have failed or are unsuitable, patients must undergo multidisciplinary screening including psychological evaluation, required facilities/personnel must be available, and a successful temporary electrode trial demonstrating pain relief must precede permanent implantation.

"Implanted peripheral nerve stimulators are covered under the prosthetic device benefit for treatment of chronic intractable pain when electrodes are implanted around a selected peripheral nerve wit..."

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