This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Low Level Laser Therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy

 

DESCRIPTION

Low-level laser therapy, also called photobiomodulation refers to the use of red-beam or near-infrared lasers with a wavelength between 600 and 1,000 nm and power from 5–500 mW. (In contrast, lasers used in surgery typically use 300 Watts.) When applied to the skin, these lasers produce no sensation and do not burn the skin. Because of the low absorption by human skin, it is hypothesized that the laser light can penetrate deeply into the tissues where it has a photobiostimulative effect. The exact mechanism of its effect on tissue healing is unknown; hypotheses have included improved cellular repair and stimulation of the immune, lymphatic, and vascular systems.

Low-lever laser therapy (LLLT) has been used to treat pain associated with a variety of conditions including soft tissue injuries, tendinopathies and osteoarthritis. LLLT has been used outside the United States to treat oral mucositis associated with radiation and chemotherapy, stimulate healing of chronic wounds, treat nerve injuries, and as an adjunct to antituberculosis drugs.

LLLT is also being evaluated in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy and the most commonly performed surgery of the hand. The syndrome is related to the bony anatomy of the wrist. The carpal tunnel is bound dorsally and laterally by the carpal bones and ventrally by the transverse carpal ligament. Through this contained space run the 9 flexor tendons and the median nerve. Therefore any space-occupying lesion can compress the median nerve and produce the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome—pain, numbness, and tingling in the distribution of the median nerve. Symptoms of more severe cases include hypesthesia, clumsiness, loss of dexterity, and weakness of pinch. In the most severe cases, patients experience marked sensory loss and significant functional impairment with thenar atrophy. Mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are usually first treated conservatively with splinting and cessation of aggravating activities. Other conservative therapies include oral steroids, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroid injections into the carpal tunnel itself. Patients who do not respond to conservative therapy or who present with severe carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar atrophy may be considered candidates for surgical release of the carpal ligament, using either an open or endoscopic approach.

A number of low-level lasers have received clearance for marketing from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Data submitted to the FDA as part of the FDA 510(k) approval process for the MicroLight 830 Laser consisted of application of the laser over the carpal tunnel 3 times a week for 5 weeks. The labeling states that the "MicroLight 830 Laser is indicated for adjunctive used in the temporary relief of hand and wrist pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." In 2006, the FDA provided marketing clearance for the GRT LITE, which listed the Tuco Erchonia PL3000, the Excalibur System, the Microlight 830 Laser, and the Acculaser Pro as predicate devices. Indications of the GRT LITE for carpal tunnel syndrome are similar to the predicate devices: “adjunctive use in providing temporary relief of minor chronic pain.” The LightStream™ Low Level Laser device received 510(k) marketing clearance in 2009 for adjunctive use in the temporary relief of pain associated with knee disorders with standard chiropractic practice. As of October 2009, no devices have received FDA clearance for applications other than treatment of pain. A number of clinical trials of LLLT are underway in the United States, including studies of wound healing.

Other protocols have used low-level laser energy applied to acupuncture points on the fingers and hand. This technique may be referred to as "laser acupuncture."

 

POLICY

Low-level laser therapy is considered investigational for all indications including but not limited to treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

Federal Employee Program (FEP) may dictate that all FDA-approved devices, drugs or biologics may not be considered investigational and thus these devices may be assessed only on the basis of their medical necessity.

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

Investigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

7/2003: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

3/15/2006: Policy reviewed, no changes

3/28/2007: Policy reviewed, description updated, no changes to policy statement

5/1/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

06/22/2010:  “As a Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” was deleted from the policy title as the description and policy statement were expanded beyond carpal tunnel syndrome to include other musculoskeletal conditions and wound healing. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section.  Deleted outdated references in the Sources section. Added CPT code 97026.

04/20/2011: Policy reviewed; no changes.

01/17/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

02/20/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.

 

SOURCES

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy # 2.01.56 

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.

All codes billed for this procedure are considered investigational and not eligible for coverage. 

Non-Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

97026Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; infrared (Added 06-22-2010)
97799

There is no specific CPT code described low level laser therapy.

ICD-9 Procedure

  

ICD-9 Diagnosis

 

 

HCPCS

S8948Application of a modality (requiring constant provider attendance) to one or more areas; low-level laser; each 15 minutes

 

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