About this policy
CMS evidence review | evidence_type=Technology Assessment | record_type=technology_assessment | document_id=4 | year=2000
Coverage indications
Biofeedback is defined as a therapy that uses electronic or mechanical instruments to relay visual and/or auditory evidence to assist a person to gain pelvic muscle awareness to improve physiologic activity and bladder function. Currently, §35-27 of the Coverage Issues Manual states that biofeedback is covered under Medicare only when it is reasonable and necessary for the individual patient for muscle re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating pathological muscle abnormalities of spasticity, incapacitating muscle spasm, or weakness, and more conventional treatments have not been successful. Therefore, coverage of biofeedback for the treatment of urinary incontinence is determined at the carrier level. HCFA will evaluate whether the current literature supports a national position on the use of biofeedback for the treatment of urinary incontinence.
Documentation requirements
Associated Medcac: MEDCAC Meeting for Urinary Incontinence (Medical and Surgical Procedures Panel) - 04/12/2000 Associated Nca: Original Consideration for Biofeedback for Urinary Incontinence (CAG-00020N) Issue: Biofeedback is defined as a therapy that uses electronic or mechanical instruments to relay visual and/or auditory evidence to assist a person to gain pelvic muscle awareness to improve physiologic activity and bladder function. Currently, §35-27 of the Coverage Issues Manual states that biofeedback is covered under Medicare only when it is reasonable and necessary for the individual patient for muscle re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating pathological muscle abnormalities of spasticity, incapacitating muscle spasm, or weakness, and more conventional treatments have not been successful. Therefore, coverage of biofeedback for the treatment of urinary incontinence is determined at the carrier level. HCFA will evaluate whether the current literature supports a national position on the use of biofeedback for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Other Material: Other Material 1 Exclusion Articles [PDF, 59KB] Questions: Questions Technology Assessment: Download Technology Assessment [PDF, 173KB].
Codes in this policy
Code numbers and each code’s status as the policy records it. CPT code descriptions are left out of this page, as are the passages that cite CPT codes; the official document has them.
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