LCD Reference Article Article

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) - Policy Article

A52520

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Draft Article
Draft Articles are works in progress and not necessarily a reflection of the current billing and coding practices. Revisions to codes are carefully and thoroughly reviewed and are not intended to change the original intent of the LCD.

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General Information

Source Article ID
N/A
Article ID
A52520
Original ICD-9 Article ID
Not Applicable
Article Title
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) - Policy Article
Article Type
Article
Original Effective Date
10/01/2015
Revision Effective Date
01/01/2023
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
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CMS National Coverage Policy

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Article Text

NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES

For any item to be covered by Medicare, it must 1) be eligible for a defined Medicare benefit category, 2) be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member, and 3) meet all other applicable Medicare statutory and regulatory requirements. Information provided in this policy article relates to determinations other than those based on Social Security Act §1862(a)(1)(A) provisions (i.e. “reasonable and necessary”).

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) equipment is covered under the Durable Medical Equipment benefit (Social Security Act §1861(s)(6)). In order for a beneficiary’s equipment to be eligible for reimbursement the reasonable and necessary (R&N) requirements set out in the related Local Coverage Determination must be met. In addition, there are specific statutory payment policy requirements, discussed below, that also must be met.

During the rental of a TENS unit, supplies for the unit are included in the rental allowance; there is no additional allowance for items such as electrodes, lead wires, and batteries. If a TENS unit (E0720 or E0730) is purchased, the allowance is all-inclusive of items such as lead wires and one month's supply of items such as electrodes, conductive paste or gel (if needed), and batteries.

Refer to the COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY section of the LCD for additional information about coverage criteria and associated documentation.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC DMEPOS ITEMS PURSUANT TO Final Rule 1713 (84 Fed. Reg Vol 217)

Final Rule 1713 (84 Fed. Reg Vol 217) requires a face-to-face encounter and a Written Order Prior to Delivery (WOPD) for specified HCPCS codes. CMS and the DME MACs provide a list of the specified codes, which is periodically updated. The required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List is available here.

Claims for the specified items subject to Final Rule 1713 (84 Fed. Reg Vol 217) that do not meet the face-to-face encounter and WOPD requirements specified in the LCD-related Standard Documentation Requirements Article (A55426) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.

If a supplier delivers an item prior to receipt of a WOPD, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. If the WOPD is not obtained prior to delivery, payment will not be made for that item even if a WOPD is subsequently obtained by the supplier. If a similar item is subsequently provided by an unrelated supplier who has obtained a WOPD, it will be eligible for coverage.

POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to policy specific documentation requirements, there are general documentation requirements that are applicable to all DMEPOS policies. These general requirements are located in the DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS section of the LCD.

Refer to the LCD-related Standard Documentation Requirements article, located at the bottom of this Policy Article under the Related Local Coverage Documents section for additional information regarding GENERAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS and the POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS discussed below.

For all claims for TENS and related supplies there must be information in the medical record demonstrating that the coverage criteria are met.

For acute post-operative pain covered under criterion I of the related LCD, there must be information about:

  • The date of surgery
  • The nature of the surgery
  • The location and severity of the pain

For chronic pain covered under criterion II of the related LCD, there must be information in the medical record describing:

  • The location of the pain
  • The severity of the pain
  • The duration of time the beneficiary has had the pain
  • The presumed etiology of the pain
  • Prior treatment and results of that treatment
  • Reevaluation of the beneficiary at the end of the trial period, must indicate
    • How often the beneficiary used the TENS unit
    • The typical duration of use each time
    • The results (effectiveness of therapy)

Each claim for code E0731 must be accompanied by the brand, name and model number of the conductive garment.

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL NECESSITY (CMN)

Providers and suppliers no longer need to submit Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) for services rendered on or after January 1, 2023.

  • For claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2023 – Providers and suppliers no longer need to submit CMNs or DIFs with claims. Due to electronic filing requirements, claims received with these forms attached will be rejected and returned to the provider or supplier.
  • For claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2023 – If the CMN or DIF is required, it must be submitted with the claim, or be on file with a previous claim.

For dates of service for which a CMN is required, a CMN which has been completed, signed, and dated by the treating practitioner, must be kept on file by the supplier and made available upon request. The CMN may act as a substitute for the Standard Written Order (SWO) if it contains the same information as required in a SWO. The CMN for TENS is CMS Form 848. In addition to the information that the treating practitioner enters in Section B, the supplier can use the space in Section C for a written confirmation of other details of the order or the treating practitioner can enter the other details directly.

A CMN is not needed for a TENS rental.

MODIFIERS

GA, GZ AND KX MODIFIERS:

Suppliers must add a KX modifier to codes E0720, E0730, and E0731 only if all of the criteria in the COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY section of the related LCD have been met.

For the situation where a KX modifier is required, if all of the criteria in the COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY section of the related LCD have not been met, the GA or GZ modifier must be added to these codes. When there is an expectation of a reasonable and necessary denial, suppliers must enter the GA modifier on the claim line if they have obtained a properly executed Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) or the GZ modifier if they have not obtained a valid ABN.

Claim lines billed for E0720, E0730, and E0731 without a GA, GZ or KX modifier as specified above will be rejected as missing information.

CODING GUIDELINES

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) (E0720, E0730) is a device that utilizes electrical current delivered through electrodes placed on the surface of the skin to decrease the patient's perception of pain by inhibiting the transmission of afferent pain nerve impulses and/or stimulating the release of endorphins. A TENS unit must be distinguished from other electrical stimulators (e.g., neuromuscular stimulators) which are used to directly stimulate muscles and/or motor nerves.

A TENS supply allowance (A4595), is an all-inclusive code and includes items such as electrodes (any type), conductive paste or gel (if needed, depending on the type of electrode), tape or other adhesive (if needed, depending on the type of electrode), adhesive remover, skin preparation materials, batteries (9 volt or AA, single use or rechargeable), and a battery charger (if rechargeable batteries are used).

Codes A4556 (Electrodes, [e.g., apnea monitor], per pair), A4558 (Conductive paste or gel), and A4630 (Replacement batteries, medically necessary TENS owned by patient) are not valid for claim submission to the DME MAC. A4595 should be used instead.

For code A4557, one unit of service is for lead wires going to two electrodes. If all the lead wires of a 4 lead TENS unit needed to be replaced, billing would be for two units of service.

There should be no billing and there will be no separate allowance for replacement electrodes (A4556), conductive paste or gel (A4558), replacement batteries (A4630), or a battery charger used with a TENS unit.

Other supplies, including but not limited to the following, will not be separately allowed: adapters (snap, banana, alligator, tab, button, clip), belt clips, adhesive remover, additional connecting cable for lead wires, carrying pouches, or covers.

Suppliers should contact the Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) Contractor for guidance on the correct coding of these items.

Response To Comments

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Coding Information

Bill Type Codes

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Revenue Codes

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CPT/HCPCS Codes

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CPT/HCPCS Modifiers

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ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

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ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

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ICD-10-PCS Codes

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Additional ICD-10 Information

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Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

Code Description

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Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination. Complete absence of all Revenue Codes indicates that coverage is not influenced by Revenue Code and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.

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Other Coding Information

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Coding Table Information

Excluded CPT/HCPCS Codes - Table Format
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Non-Excluded CPT/HCPCS Ended Codes - Table Format
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Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation
01/01/2023 R9

Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2023
POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Added: Billing information relevant to CMNs, for DOS affected by the CMN elimination

11/17/2022: At this time the 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

11/20/2021 R8

Revision History Effective Date: 11/20/2021
MODIFIERS:
Removed: Q0 (zero) modifier from sub-header

05/26/2022: At this time the 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

11/20/2021 R7

Revision History Effective Date: 11/20/2021
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC DMEPOS ITEMS PURSUANT TO FINAL RULE 1713 (84 FED. REG VOL 217):
Removed: “The link will be located here once it is available.”
Added: “The required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List is available here.” with a hyperlink to the list

04/14/2022: At this time the 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

11/20/2021 R6

Revision History Effective Date: 11/20/2021
NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES:
Revised: Language regarding supply allowances during the rental period for clarification
POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Removed: Medical records statement for Criterion III as coverage expired June 7, 2015 for CLBP under NCD 160.27
MODIFIERS:
Removed: Q0 modifier statements regarding Criterion III as coverage expired June 7, 2015 for CLBP under NCD 160.27
ICD-10-CM CODES THAT SUPPORT MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Removed: ICD-10-CM codes used for CLBP as coverage expired June 7, 2015 for CLBP under NCD 160.27
ICD-10-CM CODES THAT DO NOT SUPPORT MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Removed: Statement under paragraph 1 regarding CLBP and all codes not specified

10/07/2021: At this time 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

01/01/2020 R5

Revision History Effective Date: 01/01/2020
NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES:
Removed: REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC DMEPOS ITEMS PURSUANT TO 42 CFR 410.38(g) section
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC DMEPOS ITEMS PURSUANT TO FINAL RULE 1713 (84 Fed. Reg Vol 217):
Added: Section and related information based on Final Rule 1713
CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL NECESSITY (CMN):
Revised: “physician” to “practitioner”
Revised: “physician” to “treating practitioner”
Removed: CMN form version number “(DME form 06.03B)”
Revised: “detailed written order” to “Standard Written Order (SWO)”
Revised: “detailed written order” to “SWO”
ICD-10 CODES THAT SUPPORT MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised: Section header “ICD-10 Codes that are Covered” updated to “ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity”
ICD-10 CODES THAT DO NOT SUPPORT MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised: Section header “ICD-10 Codes that are Not Covered” updated to “ICD-10 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity”

02/27/2020: At this time 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

01/01/2019 R4

Revision History Effective Date: 01/01/2019
ICD-10 CODES THAT ARE COVERED:
Added: All diagnosis codes formerly listed in the LCD
ICD-10 CODES THAT ARE NOT COVERED:
Added: Notation excluding all ICD-10 codes not specified above for TENS used for CLBP. TENS for all other uses not specified

02/21/2019: At this time 21st Century Cures Act applies to new and revised LCDs which require comment and notice. This revision is to an article that is not a local coverage determination.

01/01/2017 R3 Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2017
NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES:
Added: 42 CFR 410.38(g)
POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Added: Coverage criteria information, CMN and Modifier requirements
RELATED LOCAL COVERAGE DOCUMENTS:
Added: LCD-related Standard Documentation Requirements Language Article
07/01/2016 R2 Effective July 1, 2016 oversight for DME MAC Articles is the responsibility of CGS Administrators, LLC 18003 and 17013 and Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC 19003 and 16013. No other changes have been made to the Articles.
10/01/2015 R1 Revision Effective Date: 10/31/2014
NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES:
Removed: “When required by state law” from ACA new prescription requirements
Revised: Face-to-Face Requirements for treating practitioner
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Associated Documents

Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2 SAD Determinations
Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2
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