National Coverage Determination (NCD)

Treatment of Motor Function Disorders with Electric Nerve Stimulation

160.2

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Tracking Information

Publication Number
100-3
Manual Section Number
160.2
Manual Section Title
Treatment of Motor Function Disorders with Electric Nerve Stimulation
Version Number
2
Effective Date of this Version
04/01/2003
Implementation Date
04/01/2003

Description Information

Benefit Category
Physicians' Services


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

Item/Service Description

While electric nerve stimulation has been employed to control chronic intractable pain for some time, its use in the treatment of motor function disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, is a recent innovation, and the medical effectiveness of such therapy has not been verified by scientifically controlled studies.

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

Where electric nerve stimulation is employed to treat motor function disorders, no reimbursement may be made for the stimulator or for the services related to its implantation since this treatment cannot be considered reasonable and necessary.

NOTE: For Medicare coverage of deep brain stimulation for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, see §160.24 of the NCD Manual.

Cross Reference
Also see NCD on Electrical Nerve Stimulators (§160.7).

Transmittal Information

Transmittal Number
167
Revision History

02/2003 - Noted that Medicare coverage for deep brain stimulation for essential tremor and Parkenson's disease can be found at §160.24 of the NCD Manual. Effective and implementation dates 04/01/2003. (TN 167) (CR 2553)

03/1997 - Reflected that instruction related to electrical nerve stimulation does not apply to deep brain stimulation provided by an implanted stimulator device and is subject to Medicare coverage at carrier's discretion. Effective date 04/15/1997. (TN 93)

Additional Information

Other Versions
Title Version Effective Between
Treatment of Motor Function Disorders with Electric Nerve Stimulation 2 04/01/2003 - N/A You are here
Treatment of Motor Function Disorders with Electric Nerve Stimulation 1 04/15/1997 - 04/01/2003 View