CMS Pub. 100-03, ch. 1, § 30.1

CIM 35-27

Biofeedback therapy provides visual, auditory or other evidence of the status of certain

body functions so that a person can exert voluntary control over the functions, and

thereby alleviate an abnormal bodily condition. Biofeedback therapy often uses electrical

devices to transform bodily signals indicative of such functions as heart rate, blood

pressure, skin temperature, salivation, peripheral vasomotor activity, and gross muscle

tone into a tone or light, the loudness or brightness of which shows the extent of activity

in the function being measured.

Biofeedback therapy differs from electromyography which is a diagnostic procedure used

to record and study the electrical properties of skeletal muscle. An electromyography

device may be used to provide feedback with certain types of biofeedback. Biofeedback

therapy is covered under Medicare only when it is reasonable and necessary for the

individual patient for muscle re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating

pathological muscle abnormalities of spasticity, incapacitating muscle spasm, or

weakness, and more conventional treatments (heat, cold, massage, exercise, support)

have not been successful. This therapy is not covered for treatment of ordinary muscle

tension states or for psychosomatic conditions. (See the Medicare Benefit Policy

Manual, Chapter 15, for general coverage requirements about physical therapy

requirements.)