TENS Units
Medicare covers a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) for the treatment of patients with chronic or severe pain after an operation. Medicare may cover a TENS for after surgery for a patient with severe pain. Patients who have chronic pain may be eligible for coverage of a TENS.
Your treating doctor and/or your supplier can provide more detailed coverage criteria.
TENS units are covered for the treatment of chronic intractable pain that has been present for at least three months or more, and in some cases for acute post-operative pain.
When used for chronic, intractable pain, the TENS unit must be used on a trial basis for a minimum of one month but not to exceed two months. You must return to your physician exactly 30-60 days after initial evaluation to authorize the purchase of this equipment.
For acute post-operative pain sufferers, use is restricted to one month. Any duration longer than that will require individual consideration.
If the patient has chronic (ongoing) intractable (not easily managed) pain or acute post-operative pain, the use of a TENS unit may be covered. In the case of post-operative pain, use would be restricted to one month.
TENS units are not covered for treating headaches, visceral abdominal pains, pelvic pains, and TMJ pains.
A TENS unit is a capped rental. An order (prescription) must be on file with the supplier. It must be signed and dated by the treating doctor. A Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) must be completed, signed, and dated by the treating doctor for the purchase of a TENS (after the patient completes a one-two month trial period).. A CMN is not required for the rental of a TENS.
