---
title: "What Is Chronic low back pain? TENS and Pain Glossary"
description: "Chronic low back pain is low back pain that has lasted three months or longer. Medicare's TENS policy denies TENS for it as not reasonable and necessary."
url: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-low-back-pain
publisher: Analgesic Healthcare
phone: +1-800-749-1188
contact: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/contact
---

Condition

# Chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain is low back pain that has lasted three months or longer. Medicare's TENS policy denies TENS for it as not reasonable and necessary.

CMS defines chronic low back pain for its TENS decision as an episode of low back pain that has persisted for three months or longer. CMS said it would cover TENS for it only for patients in an approved clinical study, for dates of service on or after June 8, 2012. Today, the Medicare TENS policy, as of the revision effective January 1, 2024, says TENS therapy for chronic low back pain will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Other plans may use different rules, so check with yours. Talk with your clinician about other options. Read [TENS for lower back pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/guides/tens-for-lower-back-pain) and see [lumbar spine](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/lumbar-spine).

## Related terms

-   [Lumbar spine](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/lumbar-spine)
-   [Chronic pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-pain)
-   [Local coverage determination](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/local-coverage-determination)
-   [Medical necessity](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/medical-necessity)

## Sources

1.  [CMS: Local Coverage Determination L33802, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)](https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=33802)
2.  [CMS: Transmittal R149NCD, NCD 160.27 TENS for chronic low back pain](https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/guidance/transmittals/downloads/r149ncd.pdf)

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