On September 13, 2011, CMS opened a review of national Medicare coverage of the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for chronic low back pain. Unfortunately, in spite of feedback from thousands of clinicians, patients and other TENS supporters throughout the nation, on March 13, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposal that, if finalized, will eliminate TENS coverage for all Medicare patients with chronic low back pain, unless they are enrolled in a clinical study on TENS. (Note: please be aware that clinical studies enroll only limited patients and are generally restricted to specific geographic regions. Further, it is also highly possible that no clinical studies will be implemented at all, because they are very costly to fund.)

If you are concerned or disagree with this proposal, contact your Congressperson or Senator. Inform them that you want to see TENS coverage continued for Medicare patients, and urge them to follow-up with CMS to protest the discontinuation of this important benefit for Medicare patients who suffer from chronic low back pain.

CMS will be issuing their final decision on June 11, 2012, so please don't wait!

It's important that our legislators hear from the individuals who prescribe TENS, use TENS, or are otherwise familiar with its benefits so that they understand the critical importance of continued access to a safe, non-addictive device for controlling chronic low back pain. If you need assistance locating your Congressperson or Senator, you can use one of the following links:

Write your Representative
Write your Senator
Start a Facebook and Twitter conversation about TENS

Many Congressmen and Senators have Facebook and Twitter sites – please consider posting your comments there as well! Once again, thanks for supporting the continuation of TENS coverage for Medicare patients suffering from chronic low back pain. For more information about the CMS National Coverage Analysis, please go to the following link: Proposed Decision Memo for TENS

Continue the discussion at the Tens Coverage blog

News: Proposed Medicare Cutoff of TENS Coverage Draws Congressional Interest