Amputee phantom pain management denver trial#

If the TENS unit produces incomplete relief, further evaluation with percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) may be indicated. The physician ordering the TENS unit must be the attending physician or a consulting physician for the disease or condition resulting in the need for the TENS unit.

Amputee phantom pain management denver trial#

The physician's records must document a reevaluation of the member at the end of the trial period, must indicate how often the member used the TENS unit, the typical duration of use each time, and the results. After this 1-month trial period, continued TENS treatment may be considered medically necessary if the treatment significantly alleviates pain and if the attendingВ physician documents that the patient is likely to derive significant therapeuticВ benefit from continuous use of the unit over a long period of time. The trial period must be monitored by the physician to determine the effectiveness of the TENS unit in modulating the pain. Note: When TENS is used for acute post-operative or chronic intractable pain, Aetna considers use of the device medically necessary initially for aВ trial period of at leastВ 1 month but not to exceedВ 2 months. Rotator cuff disease (e.g., calcific tendinitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, and subacromial impingement syndrome).Chondromalacia patellae and patellofemoral disorders.Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.Cervicalgia (e.g., by means of the Quell device).

TENS is also considered experimental and investigational for any of the following (not an all-inclusive list) because there is inadequate scientific evidence to support its efficacy for these specific types of pain: Aetna considers transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) when used as an adjunct or as an alternative to the use of drugs either in the treatment of acute post-operative pain in the first 30 days after surgery, or for certain types of chronic, intractable painВ not adequatelyВ responsive to other methods of treatment including, as appropriate, physical therapy and pharmacotherapy.ДЄetna considers TENS experimental and investigational for acute pain (less thanВ 3 months duration) other than post-operative pain.