TENS units and personal rehabilitation, through your doctor

A TENS unit works where the electrode pads are placed. It does not treat the whole body at once. For widespread pain from conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, your clinician may pick one or two target areas. Medicare policy L33802 does not name systemic pain. Check your plan.

The Medicare TENS policy does not name this area; coverage depends on your plan and your clinician's documentation. As of the LCD revision effective January 1, 2024, it covers TENS for "chronic, intractable pain or acute post-operative pain" when criteria are met.

A TENS unit sends mild pulses through pads near the painful area. For back pain, Medicare policy L33802 says TENS for chronic low back pain will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Other plans differ. Your clinician decides if a trial fits you, and tells you where pads may go.

As of the LCD revision effective January 1, 2024, the Medicare TENS policy (L33802) says "TENS therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary." Other plans set their own rules; check with your plan.

Head and neck pain needs extra care with a TENS unit. Medicare lists headache as not reasonable and necessary. The NHS says not to use TENS on your neck, mouth or eyes. University of Iowa Health Care says not to use it on any part of your head, face or throat.

As of the LCD revision effective January 1, 2024, the Medicare TENS policy (L33802) lists headache, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, as conditions for which TENS therapy "is not considered to be reasonable and necessary." Other plans set their own rules; check with your plan.

For leg, knee or foot pain, a TENS unit works where the pads sit. The NHS shows pads above and below a knee. The NHS and University of Iowa say not to use TENS on numb skin, which matters in foot neuropathy. Medicare policy L33802 does not name leg pain. Ask your clinician first.

The Medicare TENS policy does not name this area; coverage depends on your plan and your clinician's documentation. As of the LCD revision effective January 1, 2024, it covers TENS for "chronic, intractable pain or acute post-operative pain" when criteria are met.

For shoulder, arm or hand pain, a TENS unit works where the pads sit. Shoulder pads can sit near the chest, so pacemaker and chest limits matter. The NHS says not to use TENS with a pacemaker. Medicare policy L33802 does not name upper extremity pain. Ask your clinician first.

The Medicare TENS policy does not name this area; coverage depends on your plan and your clinician's documentation. As of the LCD revision effective January 1, 2024, it covers TENS for "chronic, intractable pain or acute post-operative pain" when criteria are met.