ASA Pushes for Changes to Restrictive Humana Peripheral Nerve Stimulators (PNS) Policy

On March 18, ASA, along with ten leading pain medicine societies, sent a formal communication to Humana urging changes to the flawed Medicare Advantage policy HUM-1140-000, which excludes peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS) for treating chronic pain from coverage. 

This policy contradicts Medicare's longstanding practice of covering and paying for the reasonable and necessary use of PNS for chronic pain management. In the formal communication, the society’s requested Humana to revise this ill-advised policy arguing it is crucial to address this issue promptly to ensure equitable access to essential medical treatments for individuals suffering from chronic, intractable pain. The letter also included a list of studies and systematic reviews that support the safety and efficacy of PNS for treating chronic pain conditions.

ASA believes this policy compromises our patients’ access to essential pain care.

Read the letter here.