CMS Pub. 100-03, ch. 1, § 160.12

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) involves the use of a device which

transmits an electrical impulse to the skin over selected muscle groups by way of

electrodes. There are two broad categories of NMES. One type of device stimulates the

muscle when the patient is in a resting state to treat muscle atrophy. The second type is

used to enhance functional activity of neurologically impaired patients.

Treatment of Muscle Atrophy

Coverage of NMES to treat muscle atrophy is limited to the treatment of disuse atrophy

where nerve supply to the muscle is intact, including brain, spinal cord and peripheral

nerves, and other non-neurological reasons for disuse atrophy. Some examples would be

casting or splinting of a limb, contracture due to scarring of soft tissue as in burn lesions,

and hip replacement surgery (until orthotic training begins). (See §160.13 for an

explanation of coverage of medically necessary supplies for the effective use of NMES.)

Use for Walking in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The type of NMES that is use to enhance the ability to walk of SCI patients is commonly

referred to as functional electrical stimulation (FES). These devices are surface units that

use electrical impulses to activate paralyzed or weak muscles in precise sequence.

Coverage for the use of NMES/FES is limited to SCI patients for walking, who have

completed a training program which consists of at least 32 physical therapy sessions with

the device over a period of three months. The trial period of physical therapy will enable

the physician treating the patient for his or her spinal cord injury to properly evaluate the

person’s ability to use these devices frequently and for the long term. Physical therapy

necessary to perform this training must be directly performed by the physical therapist as

part of a one-on-one training program.

The goal of physical therapy must be to train SCI patients on the use of NMES/FES

devices to achieve walking, not to reverse or retard muscle atrophy.

Coverage for NMES/FES for walking will be covered in SCI patients with all of the

following characteristics:

1. Persons with intact lower motor unite (L1 and below) (both muscle and peripheral

nerve);

2. Persons with muscle and joint stability for weight bearing at upper and lower

extremities that can demonstrate balance and control to maintain an upright support

posture independently;

3. Persons that demonstrate brisk muscle contraction to NMES and have sensory

perception electrical stimulation sufficient for muscle contraction;

4. Persons that possess high motivation, commitment and cognitive ability to use

such devices for walking;

5. Persons that can transfer independently and can demonstrate independent standing

tolerance for at least 3 minutes;

6. Persons that can demonstrate hand and finger function to manipulate controls;

7. Persons with at least 6-month post recovery spinal cord injury and restorative

surgery;

8. Persons with hip and knee degenerative disease and no history of long bone

fracture secondary to osteoporosis; and

9. Persons who have demonstrated a willingness to use the device long-term.

The NMES/FES for walking will not be covered in SCI patient with any of the following:

1. Persons with cardiac pacemakers;

2. Severe scoliosis or severe osteoporosis;

3. Skin disease or cancer at area of stimulation;

4. Irreversible contracture; or

5. Autonomic dysflexia.

The only settings where therapists with the sufficient skills to provide these services are

employed, are inpatient hospitals; outpatient hospitals; comprehensive outpatient

rehabilitation facilities; and outpatient rehabilitation facilities. The physical therapy

necessary to perform this training must be part of a one-on-one training program.

Additional therapy after the purchase of the DME would be limited by our general

policies in converge of skilled physical therapy.

(Also reference the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, “Covered Medical and

Other Health Services,” §220 and 230, and the Medicare Claims Processing Manual,

Chapter 5, “Part B Outpatient Rehabilitation and CORF Services,” §10.1.)