What Are Nerve Stimulator Devices?
Nerve stimulator devices do not eliminate pain, they prevent those pain signals from reaching the brain. Electrical pulses from a small implanted device are delivered to the painful area to manage chronic pain without the overuse of opioid medications. Those who suffer from chronic back, leg, or arm pain who have garnered no relief from other medical interventions could benefit from a nerve stimulator device. For those with chronic back pain, the spinal cord nerve stimulator device is placed under your skin during a surgical procedure. The nerve stimulator then sends an electric pulse to the spinal cord in the area where the pain is felt.
Pain is subsequently reduced as the electrical pulses prevent the pain signal from reaching your brain. The level of pain relief varies for each person, although the goal is a 50 to 70 percent reduction in pain. Some people may find the nerve stimulation an unpleasant experience, so a trial stimulation is done in most cases for a week. If the nerve stimulation is not for you, the trial wires are removed without damaging the spinal cord or nerves. There are three main types of nerve stimulators:
- Some nerve stimulators have a hand-held remote control to turn the device on and off and to allow the individual to adjust settings depending on their results.
- Other nerve stimulators have a lead wire with electrodes that deliver electrical pulses to mask pain before it reaches the brain.
- The third type of nerve stimulator is a pulse generator with a battery that creates electrical pulses.
Non-rechargeable batteries must be surgically replaced every two to five years while rechargeable batteries can last as long as ten years, but they must be charged daily. Peripheral nerve stimulation is different from spinal cord nerve stimulation because rather than placing the device on the spinal cord where the nerve originates but directly over the targeted pain area nerve.
If your doctor believes a nerve stimulator can give you much-needed relief from your pain, yet you receive a nerve stimulator insurance denial, it can be a devastating blow. You don’t have to accept your insurer’s decision—you have options and attorney Scott Glovsky can explain those options and help file an internal and external appeal.
What Types of Ailments Can Nerve Stimulator Devices Be Used For?
Nerve stimulator devices can help with the following medical conditions:
- Sciatica
- Pain resulting from a failed surgery of the back, arms, or legs
- Constant, chronic burning pain (Complex regional pain syndrome)
- Pain from arthritis
- Inflammation and scarring of the spinal nerve protective lining
- Persistent pain from nerve damage or spinal stenosis
- Diabetic neuropathy (burning, stabbing pain resulting from diabetes)
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stump pain
- Angina
- Neuromuscular disorders like sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy
- Incontinence and other kidney disorders
- Musculoskeletal back and neck pain
- Mental health issues like depression (vagus nerve stimulation)
Why Might You Receive a Nerve Stimulator Insurance Denial?
Patients who qualify for a nerve stimulator device have usually suffered chronic, debilitating pain for at least three months. Typically, these patients have also had one or more spinal surgeries if spinal pain is the issue. More conservative therapies must have failed, and your doctor must have determined that you would receive no benefits from additional surgical procedures. You must not have untreated depression or a drug addiction problem as well as no other medical conditions that would interfere with the implantation process.
Finally, you have undergone a nerve stimulator trial, which must have been successful. Insurance companies may refuse to pay for a nerve stimulator device, calling it “experimental,” “investigational,” or “not medically necessary.” Generally speaking, these are “code words” for “it’s expensive and we don’t want to pay for it.” The initial cost of a nerve stimulator device and implantation averages about $10,000, so your insurer may want you to go with a cheaper alternative, including opioid drugs. You may have received a nerve stimulator insurance denial and are unsure what you need to do to convince your insurer to pay for the treatment. The Law Offices of Scott Glovsky is ready to help you get the treatment you need and deserve.
What Should You Do Following a Nerve Stimulator Insurance Denial?
After receiving a nerve stimulator insurance denial, it can be very beneficial to speak to attorney Scott Glovsky. Scott fights for his clients every step of the way, demanding that big insurance companies respect you and treat you with dignity. Scott can assist you in filing an internal appeal, which is essentially asking your insurer to reconsider its denial.
You may include a letter from your physician detailing why the nerve stimulator device is necessary for you. If your internal appeal is unsuccessful, you can then file an external appeal with a neutral third party. Because the decision of this third party is binding on the insurance company, we recommend that you speak with Scott before filing. Depending on the type of insurance you have, Scott may say the best path is a legal one. Scott Glovsky understands how intimidating big insurance companies can be. He will explain the process to you in easy-to-understand language and will work hard on your behalf for a positive outcome.
What Specific Insurance Companies May Deny Your Nerve Stimulator Treatment?
Virtually any insurance company may potentially issue a nerve stimulator insurance denial. Many insurers simply don’t want to pay for the procedure and would much prefer that you simply continue taking pain medications which are significantly less expensive. Some of the insurers in the state of California who could deny your nerve stimulator procedure include:
How the Law Offices of Scott Glovsky Can Help with Your Nerve Stimulator Insurance Denial
Receiving a nerve stimulator insurance denial can be a depressing, demoralizing experience. You faithfully pay your insurance premiums every month and have likely done so for many years. Yet when you need your insurer to come through for you and approve a treatment that your doctor believes could significantly reduce your pain, that treatment is denied. Attorney Scott Glovsky and the Law Offices of Scott Glovsky want you to know you are no longer in this fight alone. Scott fights for justice with all his heart, always staying 100 percent committed to each client’s case. Scott fights for justice with an exemplary track record of success. If results matter, contact the Law Offices of Scott Glovsky today.