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National Coverage Determination (NCD)

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

160.12

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Tracking Information

Publication Number
100-3
Manual Section Number
160.12
Manual Section Title
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
Version Number
1
Effective Date of this Version
04/01/2003
Ending Effective Date of this Version
10/01/2006
Implementation Date
04/01/2003
Implementation QR Modifier Date

Description Information

Benefit Category
No Benefit Category


Please Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

Item/Service Description

NMES involves the use of a device which transmits an electrical impulse to the skin over selected muscle groups by way of electrodes. There are two broad categories of NMES. One type of device stimulates the muscle when the patient is in a resting state to treat muscle atrophy. The second type is used to enhance functional activity of neurologically impaired patients.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage

Treatment of Muscle Atrophy

Coverage of NMES to treat muscle atrophy is limited to the treatment of disuse atrophy where nerve supply to the muscle is intact, including brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, and other non-neurological reasons for disuse atrophy. Some examples would be casting or splinting of a limb, contracture due to scarring of soft tissue as in burn lesions, and hip replacement surgery (until orthotic training begins). (See §160.13 of the NCD Manual for an explanation of coverage of medically necessary supplies for the effective use of NMES.)

Use for Walking in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The type of NMES that is use to enhance the ability to walk of SCI patients is commonly referred to as functional electrical stimulation (FES). These devices are surface units that use electrical impulses to activate paralyzed or weak muscles in precise sequence. Coverage for the use of NMES/FES is limited to SCI patients for walking, who have completed a training program which consists of at least 32 physical therapy sessions with the device over a period of three months. The trial period of physical therapy will enable the physician treating the patient for his or her spinal cord injury to properly evaluate the person's ability to use these devices frequently and for the long term. Physical therapy necessary to perform this training must be directly performed by the physical therapist as part of a one-on-one training program.

The goal of physical therapy must be to train SCI patients on the use of NMES/FES devices to achieve walking, not to reverse or retard muscle atrophy.

Coverage for NMES/FES for walking will be covered in SCI patients with all of the following characteristics:

  1. Persons with intact lower motor unite (L1 and below) (both muscle and peripheral nerve);
  2. Persons with muscle and joint stability for weight bearing at upper and lower extremities that can demonstrate balance and control to maintain an upright support posture independently;
  3. Persons that demonstrate brisk muscle contraction to NMES and have sensory perception electrical stimulation sufficient for muscle contraction;
  4. Persons that possess high motivation, commitment and cognitive ability to use such devices for walking;
  5. Persons that can transfer independently and can demonstrate independent standing tolerance for at least 3 minutes;
  6. Persons that can demonstrate hand and finger function to manipulate controls;
  7. Persons with at least 6-month post recovery spinal cord injury and restorative surgery;
  8. Persons with hip and knee degenerative disease and no history of long bone fracture secondary to osteoporosis; and
  9. Persons who have demonstrated a willingness to use the device long-term.

NMES/FES for walking will not be covered in SCI patient with any of the following:

  1. Persons with cardiac pacemakers;
  2. Severe scoliosis or severe osteoporosis;
  3. Skin disease or cancer at area of stimulation;
  4. Irreversible contracture; or
  5. Autonomic dysflexia.

The only settings where therapists with the sufficient skills to provide these services are employed, are inpatient hospitals; outpatient hospitals; comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities; and outpatient rehabilitation facilities. The physical therapy necessary to perform this training must be part of a one-on-one training program.

Additional therapy after the purchase of the DME would be limited by our general policies in converge of skilled physical therapy.
Cross Reference
See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, §230, and Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 5, §10.1.
Claims Processing Instructions

Transmittal Information

Transmittal Number
160
Coverage Transmittal Link
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R160CIM.pdf
Revision History

11/2002 - Provided coverage for walking, and maintained noncoverage for treatment of disuse atrophy in SCI patients. Effective and implementation dates 04/01/2003. (TN 160) (CR 2314) 

06/1988 - Added cross-reference to section 45-25. Effective date 04/14/1988. (TN 26)
Other

National Coverage Analyses (NCAs)

This NCD has been or is currently being reviewed under the National Coverage Determination process. The following are existing associations with NCAs, from the National Coverage Analyses database.

Coding Analyses for Labs (CALs)

This NCD has been or is currently being reviewed under the National Coverage Determination process. The following are existing associations with CALs, from the Coding Analyses for Labs database.

Additional Information

Other Versions
Title Version Effective Between
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) 2 10/01/2006 - N/A View
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) 1 04/01/2003 - 10/01/2006 You are here
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Reasons for Denial
Note: This section has not been negotiated by the Negotiated RuleMaking Committee. It includes CMS’s interpretation of it’s longstanding policies and is included for informational purposes. Tests for screening purposes that are performed in the absense of signs, symptoms, complaints, or personal history of disease or injury are not covered except as explicity authorized by statue. These include exams required by insurance companies, business establishments, government agencies, or other third parties. Tests that are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury are not covered according to the statue. Failure to provide documentation of the medical necessity of tests may result in denial of claims. The documentation may include notes documenting relevant signs, symptoms, or abnormal findings that substantiate the medical necessity for ordering the tests. In addition, failure to provide independent verification that the test was ordered by the treating physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) through documentation in the physician’s office may result in denial. A claim for a test for which there is a national coverage or local medical review policy will be denied as not reasonable and necessary if it is submitted without an ICD-9-CM code or narrative diagnosis listed as covered in the policy unless other medical documentation justifying the necessity is submitted with the claim. If a national or local policy identifies a frequency expectation, a claim for a test that exceeds that expectation may be denied as not reasonable and necessary, unless it is submitted with documentation justifying increased frequency. Tests that are not ordered by a treating physician or other qualified treating nonphysician practitioner acting within the scope of their license and in compliance with Medicare requirements will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Failure of the laboratory performing the test to have the appropriate Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA) certificate for the testing performed will result in denial of claims.
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