Electrical and Ultrasound Bone Growth Stimulators – Commercial and Individual Exchange Medical Policyopen_in_new

UnitedHealthcare covers invasive or non‑invasive electrical stimulators only as an adjunct to lumbar spinal fusion in skeletally mature patients with documented increased risk for nonunion (e.g., prior failed fusion ≥6 months, multilevel fusion, comorbidities such as diabetes/obesity/osteoporosis/tobacco use, or spondylolisthesis ≥ grade II), and covers low‑intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulators only for nonunion of long‑bone fractures when ALL criteria are met (fracture gap ≤1 cm; persistent fracture line ≥3 months without bridging callus; fracture reduced and immobilized; <6 months since most recent surgery; non‑pathologic fracture; skeletal maturity). Both device types are considered not medically necessary for all other indications and require radiographic proof of skeletal maturity plus specific operative, imaging, and clinical documentation and member benefit verification for coverage.

"Devices (electrical or ultrasonic) not indicated for skeletally immature individuals."