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Spinal cord stimulation delivers low voltage electrical stimulation to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord to block the sensation of pain. Spinal cord stimulation devices consist of several components: 1) the lead that delivers the electrical stimulation to the spinal cord; 2) an extension wire that conducts the electrical stimulation from the power source to the lead, and 3) a power source that generates the electrical stimulation. The lead may incorporate from 4 to 8 electrodes, with 8 electrodes more commonly used for complex pain patterns, such as bilateral pain or pain extending from the limbs to the trunk. There are two basic types of power source. In one type, the power source (battery) can be surgically implanted. In the other, a radiofrequency receiver is implanted, and the power source is worn externally with an antenna over the receiver. Totally implantable systems are most commonly used.

Spinal cord stimulation has been used in a wide variety of chronic refractory pain conditions, including pain associated with cancer, failed back pain syndromes, arachnoiditis, and complex regional pain syndrome (i.e., chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy). There has also been interest in spinal cord stimulation as a treatment of critical limb ischemia, primarily in patients who are poor candidates for revascularization, and in patients with refractory chest pain. The neurophysiology of pain relief after spinal cord stimulation is uncertain, but may be related to either activation of an inhibitory system or blockage of facilitative circuits.

The patient’s pain distribution pattern dictates at what level in the spinal cord the stimulation lead is placed. The pain pattern may influence the type of device used; for example, a lead with 8 electrodes may be selected for those with complex pain patterns or bilateral pain. Implantation of the spinal cord stimulator is typically a 2-step process. Initially, the electrode is temporarily implanted in the epidural space, allowing a trial period of stimulation. Once treatment effectiveness is confirmed (defined as at least 50% reduction in pain), the electrodes and radio-receiver/transducer are permanently implanted. Successful spinal cord stimulation may require extensive programming of the neurostimulators to identify the optimal electrode combinations and stimulation channels. Computer-controlled programs are often used to assist the physician in studying the millions of programming options when complex systems are used.

A number of total implanted spinal cord stimulators have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval (PMA). The Cordis programmable neurostimulator from Cordis, Corp. was approved in 1981 and the Itrel(R) manufactured by Medtronic was approved in 1984. In April 2004, Advanced Bionics received PMA for its Precision spinal cord stimulator as an aid in management of chronic, intractable trunk and limb pain. All are fully implanted devices.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) for the Treatment of Intractable Angina Pectoris is addressed in a separate policy.

Deep Brain Stimulation of the thalamus as a treatment of tremor is addressed in a separate policy.

Spinal cord stimulation is considered investigational as a treatment of critical limb ischemia as a technique to forestall amputation and as a treatment for refractory angina pectoris.

• The treatment is used only as a last resort; other treatment modalities (pharmacological, surgical, psychological, or physical, if applicable) have been tried and failed or are judged to be unsuitable or contraindicated;
• Pain is neuropathic in nature; i.e., resulting from actual damage to the peripheral nerves. Common indications include, but are not limited to, failed back syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (i.e., reflex sympathetic dystrophy), arachnoiditis, radiculopathies, phantom limb/stump pain, peripheral neuropathy. Spinal cord stimulation is generally not effective in treating nociceptive pain (resulting from irritation, not damage to the nerves) and central deafferentation pain (related to central nervous system damage from a stroke or spinal cord injury).
• No serious untreated drug habituation exists;
• Demonstration of at least 50% pain relief with a temporarily implanted electrode precedes permanent implantation;
• All the facilities, equipment, and professional and support personnel required for the proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the patient are available.

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.

3/2001: Policy reviewed; Hyperlinks inserted under Policy, Managed Care Requirements deleted, Sources updated

2/15/2002: Investigational definition added

3/6/2002: Individual consideration requirement deleted

5/7/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

2/21/2005: CPT  63685  , 95970  , 95971  , 95972  , 95973  description revised, CPT 63690-63691 deleted 1999, ICD-9 procedure codes 02.93, 03.93 description revised, HCPCS E0751 deleted 2001, HCPCS E0753 deleted 2002

10/26/2005: Code Reference section updated; CPT-4: 63660 added; ICD-9 Procedure: 02.93 deleted; 03.94, 86.94, 86.95, 86.96 added; HCPCS: E0752, E0754 added

11/15/2005:  ICD9 procedure codes 86.97, 86.98 added

3/14/2006:  Coding updated.  HCPCS 2005 & 2006 revisions added to policy

4/1/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

12/31/2008: Code reference section updated per 2009 CPT/HCPCS revisions

1/8/2009: Policy reviewed, no changes

12/16/2009: Coding Section revised for 2010 CPT4 and HCPCS revisions

04/27/2010:  Policy description re-written extensively to provide information on various conditions spinal cord stimulation is used for, FDA status of devices, and techniques for device placement. Policy statement updated to add “and as a treatment for refractory angina pectoris” to the investigational statement. Patient selection criteria added to the policy guidelines. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section.  Deleted outdated references in the Sources section.

04/18/2011: Policy description and statement unchanged. Removed deleted CPT code 63660 from the Code Reference section.

03/02/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

04/04/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes to policy statement.  Added ICD-9 procedure code 86.05 to the Code Reference section.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document.

Covered Codes

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