Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Wounds (CPT Codes G0281-G0282)

For services performed on or after April 1, 2003, Medicare will cover electrical stimulation for the treatment of wounds only for chronic stage III or stage IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers (G0281). All other uses of electrical stimulation for the treatment of wounds (G0282) are not covered by Medicare. Electrical stimulation will not be covered as an initial treatment modality. The use of electrical stimulation will only be covered after appropriate standard wound care has been tried for at least 30 days and there are no measurable signs of healing. If electrical stimulation is being used, wounds must be evaluated periodically by the treating physician or non-physician practitioner, but no less than every 30 days by a physician. Continued treatment with electrical stimulation is not covered if measurable signs of healing have not been demonstrated within any 30-day period of treatment. Additionally, electrical stimulation must be discontinued when the wound demonstrates a 100 percent epithelialzed wound bed.

See Electrical Stimulation for Indications Other Than Wound Care (G0283)