National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Electrical Stimulation for Fracture Healing

CAG-00043N

Issue

Electrical stimulation directly at the fracture site may be used to augment bone repair and may be covered by Medicare under certain circumstances described in Coverage Issues Manual §35-48. One covered condition is nonunion of long bone fractures. Currently, nonunion is considered to exist only after six or more months have elapsed without healing of the fracture.

Requestors recommend that nonunion be considered to exist when the fracture shows no visibly progressive signs of healing and a minimum of three months have elapsed from the time of fracture. Additionally, EBI suggests that coverage of noninvasive electrical stimulation be expanded to include nonunions and failed fusions of any bone in the appendicular skeleton.

National Coverage Determinations

Benefit Category

Durable Medical Equipment

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Orthologic®, Tempe, AZ., EBI Medical Systems, Inc, Parsippany, NJ. N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
07/01/1999
Expected NCA Completion Date
11/16/1999
Public Comment Period
08/02/1999 - 09/01/1999
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
11/09/1999

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Perry Bridger, MHS
Lead Medical Officers
John Whyte, MD, MPH

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

July 8, 1999

Letter sent to Orthologic® acknowledging receipt of request.

July 28, 1999

Letter sent to Orthologic® accepting request as "formal."

September 2, 1999

Letter sent to EBI, Inc. acknowledging request as "formal."

September 2, 1999

Letter sent to Orthologic® informing them of a receipt of duplicate request and a new due date.

October 13, 1999

Meeting with EBI, Inc.

November 9, 1999