National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Electrostimulation for Wounds

CAG-00068R

Issue

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been asked to reconsider the national coverage policy on electrical stimulation for wounds. On July 23, 2002 CMS posted a decision memorandum announcing our intent to issue positive national coverage policy for electrical stimulation for the treatment of wounds, but to noncover use of electromagnetic therapy for this indication. We have been asked to reconsider the noncoverage of electromagnetic therapy for wounds.

Benefit Category

Incident to a physician's professional Service
Outpatient Physical Therapy Services
Physicians' Services

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Diapulse Corporation of America, Inc. N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
10/18/2002
Expected NCA Completion Date
02/21/2003
Public Comment Period
11/18/2002 - 12/18/2002
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
12/17/2003

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Lorrie Ballantine
Lead Medical Officers
Joe Chin, MD

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

October 18, 2002

Formal request for reconsideration accepted by CMS.

December 23, 2003

CMS will extend the due date to February 21, 2003 to allow for the review of new material submitted by Diapulse Corporation of America, Inc.

January 15, 2003

In the instructions issued to our contractors to implement the new national coverage policy for electrical stimulation for wounds announced in our July 23, 2002 decision memorandum CMS added Coverage Issues Manual (CIM) section 35-102 as a replacement for the original national policy (CIM section 35-98). To avoid confusion, CMS intends to delete CIM section 35-98. This is a technical correction and does not represent a substantive change to the policy.

The 30 day public comment period begins on January 15 and ends after 30 calendar days. CMS considers all public comments.

December 17, 2003