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Printer Friendly Version Threshold Electrical Stimulation as a Treatment of Motor Disorders
DESCRIPTIONThreshold electrical stimulation is described as the delivery of low-intensity electrical stimulation to target spastic muscles during sleep at home. The stimulation is not intended to cause muscle contraction. Although the mechanism of action is not understood, it is thought that low-intensity stimulation may increase muscle strength and joint mobility, leading to improved voluntary motor function. The technique has been used most extensively in children with spastic diplegia related to cerebral palsy, but also in those with motor disorders, such as spina bifida.Devices used for threshold electrical stimulation are classified as “powered muscle stimulators.” As a class, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes these devices as “an electronically powered device intended for medical purposes that repeatedly contracts muscles by passing electrical currents through electrodes contacting the affected body area.”
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POLICYThreshold electrical stimulation as a treatment of motor disorders, including but not limited to cerebral palsy, is considered not medically necessary.
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POLICY EXCEPTIONSFederal 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.
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POLICY GUIDELINESInvestigative 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. Threshold electrical stimulation may be associated with routine physical therapy visits over the course of the entire 12-month course of treatment. In addition, the therapy requires the rental or purchase of an electrical stimulation device, which may be coded as E0745 (neuromuscular stimulator, electronic shock unit).
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POLICY HISTORY05/18/2006: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)03/19/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes 04/12/2010: Policy statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section. Expanded the description of CPT code 97110. 05/17/2011: Policy statement changed from investigational to not medically necessary. 12/13/2011: Policy reviewed; no changes. 03/13/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.
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SOURCE(S)Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy # 1.01.19
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CODE REFERENCEThis is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.All codes billed for this procedure are considered non-covered and not eligible for coverage. Non-Covered Codes
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