| Coverage Decisions for Medical Technologies & Procedures |  | |
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Coverage decision
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a non-covered procedure for workers’ compensation claims (both State Fund and Self-Insured) and for Crime Victims’ claims.
For injured workers treated with SCS during the University of Washington SCS Study (see information below): Future treatment coverage for currently implanted spinal cord stimulators will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis considering medical necessity, improvement in pain and function, adverse effects and the rationale for continuing treatment.
Background
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves the insertion of electrodes, into the epidural space near the spinal cord. The electrodes are connected to an internal (implanted) or external electrical pulse generator. SCS is proposed to treat specific chronic pain by inhibiting the conduction of pain signals to the brain. SCS has been used to treat chronic low back and leg pain that has failed to respond to spine surgery and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) when other treatments have failed.
L&I Sponsored SCS Pilot Study
SCS has been a non-covered procedure for all conditions since prior to 2004. In 2004, L&I sponsored a study (SCS Study) to evaluate the effectiveness of SCS for injured workers with chronic low back and leg pain after lumbar surgery. The study design and criteria were published in Provider Bulletin 05-03 in 2005.
The Final Report from the SCS Study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, was completed September 30, 2008. The SCS Study authors found:
- Little evidence supporting superiority of SCS over alternative treatments
- Small advantage of SCS in improving leg pain and function at 6 months
- No advantage of SCS in improving leg pain, function, or any other measure at 12 or 24 months
- Adverse events with both trial and permanent SCS including infections and persistent pain in the region of the implanted components
- 19% of patients in the study who received a permanent SCS had it removed within 18 months
- 19% required revision surgery within 18 months
- Costs (medical and productivity) were higher in the SCS group than in the comparison groups (pain clinic treatment and usual care)
The complete SCS Study Final Report is available on the Department website: http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Files/OMD/FinalReportSCS.pdf
Additional information:
- WAC 296-20-02704 - What criteria does the director or director's designee use to make medical coverage decisions?
- WAC 296-20-02850 - When may L&I cover controversial, obsolete, investigational or experimental treatment?
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