Infrared Therapy Devices

CMS National Coverage Determination | ncd_id=315 | manual_section=270.6 | coverage_level_code=3 | national_coverage_type=True | under_review=True | lab_ncd=False

B. Nationally Covered Indications N/A C. Nationally Non-Covered Indications Effective for services performed on and after October 24, 2006, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has determined that there is sufficient evidence to conclude the use of infrared therapy devices and any related accessories is not reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act). The use of infrared and/or near-infrared light and/or heat, including monochromatic infrared energy, is non-covered for the treatment, including the symptoms such as pain arising from these conditions, of diabetic and/or non-diabetic peripheral sensory neuropathy, wounds and/or ulcers of the skin and/or subcutaneous tissues. D. Other N/A (This NCD was last reviewed November 2006)

Item/Service Description: A. General Infrared therapy devices are used to treat an area of the skin and adjacent subcutaneous tissues of a patient with infrared therapy energy, using an array of juxtaposed infrared diodes affixed to a flexible pad to retain skin contact. The devices can also produce local warming, though this may be a secondary effect. The use of infrared therapy devices has been proposed for a variety of disorders; including treatment of diabetic neuropathy, other peripheral neuropathy, skin ulcers and wounds, and similar related conditions, including conditions such as pain arising form these conditions. A wide variety of devices are currently available. Revision History: 02/2017 - This change request (CR) is the 10th maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions and other coding updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs). These NCD coding changes are the result of newly available codes, coding revisions to NCDs released separately, or coding feedback received. Previous NCD coding changes appear in ICD-10 quarterly updates as follows: CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, CR9087, CR9252, CR9540, CR9631, and CR9751, as well as in CRs implementing new policy NCDs. Edits to ICD-10 and other coding updates specific to NCDs will be included in subsequent, quarterly releases and individual CRs as appropriate. No policy-related changes are included with the ICD-10 quarterly updates. Any policy-related changes to NCDs continue to be implemented via the current, long-standing NCD process. ( TN 1792 ) (CR9861) 12/2015 - This change request (CR) is the 3rd maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions/updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs). The majority of the NCDs included are a result of feedback received from previous ICD-10 NCD CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, & CR9087. Some are the result of revisions required to other NCD-related CRs released separately that included ICD-10 coding. Implementation date: 01/04/2016 Effective date: 10/1/2015. ( TN 1580 ) (CR9252) 08/2015 - This change request (CR) is the 3rd maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions/updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs). The majority of the NCDs included are a result of feedback received from previous ICD-10 NCD CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, & CR9087. Some are the result of revisions required to other NCD-related CRs released separately that included ICD-10 coding. These updates do not expand, restrict, or alter existing coverage policy. Implementation date: 01/04/2016 Effective date: 10/1/2015. ( TN 1537 ) (CR 9252) 10/2006 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a National Coverage Determination stating the use of infrared and/or near-infrared light and/or heat, including monochromatic infrared energy, is non-covered. Effective date: 10/24/2006. Implementation date: 01/16/2007 ( TN 62 ). Benefit Categories: 23 - Durable Medical Equipment Transmittal: transmittal_number=62 | transmittal_issue_date=2006-12-15 | change_request_number=5421