Staying on the theme of guru’s, and equipment in their role as panacea’s for pain, we have a request by CMS seeking public comment on the determination that their is sufficient evidence to conclude that the use of infrared devices is not reasonable and necessary for treatment of Medicare beneficiaries for diabetic and non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy, wounds and ulcers, and similar related conditions.

The proposed national determination is:

The use of infrared and/or near-infrared light and/or heat, including monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE), is not covered for the treatment of diabetic and/or non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy, wounds and/or ulcers of skin and/or subcutaneous tissues in Medicare beneficiaries.

Almost a year ago, we had posts at EIM speculating that the reason Andodyne was so popular was the fact that it is being used on a very difficult population to treat and that they had convinced a large sector of podiatrists of its efficacy which in turn caused a flood of referrals to PT clinics.   Our speculation was that it was another example of marketing outpacing research and that there was scant evidence to support the modality.

Now its time for the evidence to “speak out” and CMS would like your opinion before they fully put in place their national coverage policy.

Full disclosure, like many of you, some of our clinics do have Anodyne, use it on occasion as part of regiment and we get no reimbursement for it.  We had to get it-so many of our competitors did!!   Mysteriously, the referrals have wained and the Anodyne Treatment Center PT clinics are out of business.  Very predictable.

Larry