---
title: "What Is Acute pain? TENS and Pain Glossary | Analgesic Healthcare"
description: "Acute pain is pain that starts recently and is expected to last a shorter time. Medicare's TENS policy denies TENS for acute pain other than post-operative pain."
url: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/acute-pain
publisher: Analgesic Healthcare
phone: +1-800-749-1188
contact: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/contact
---

Condition

# Acute pain

Acute pain is pain that starts recently and is expected to last a shorter time. Medicare's TENS policy denies TENS for acute pain other than post-operative pain.

MedlinePlus says pain might be acute or chronic, and that the type of pain is based on how long and how often you have pain. Medicare's TENS policy, as of the revision effective January 1, 2024, says a TENS unit will be denied as not reasonable and necessary for acute pain, meaning less than three months duration, other than for [post-operative pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/post-operative-pain). That is a coverage rule, not a statement about whether TENS can help. See also [chronic pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-pain). Other plans may have different rules. Ask your plan, and ask your clinician about the right option for new pain. Read [Does Medicare cover a TENS unit?](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/guides/does-medicare-cover-tens-unit).

## Related terms

-   [Chronic pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-pain)
-   [Post-operative pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/post-operative-pain)
-   [Non-opioid pain management](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/non-opioid-pain-management)
-   [Medical necessity](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/medical-necessity)

## Sources

1.  [MedlinePlus: Chronic Pain](https://medlineplus.gov/chronicpain.html)
2.  [CMS: Local Coverage Determination L33802, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)](https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=33802)

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