Bone Growth Stimulators (CPB 0343, reviewed 2026-05-26)
Ultrasonic bone growth stimulators are considered medically necessary as durable medical equipment for fresh closed or grade I open tibial shaft fractures treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization, for fresh scaphoid, fifth metatarsal (Jones) or distal radius (Colles) fractures treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization, and for non-unions, failed arthrodesis or congenital pseudarthrosis of the appendicular skeleton with no X-ray evidence of progression of healing for 3 or more months despite appropriate fracture care. Electrical bone growth stimulators are considered medically necessary for delayed unions or failed arthrodesis at high-risk sites such as open or segmental tibial fractures, carpal navicular, fifth metatarsal, distal radius and sesamoid fractures, and for non-unions where the bone is noninfected, stable on both ends by cast or fixation, and separated by less than 1 centimeter, and for spinal fusion with a multiple level fusion of 3 or more vertebrae, grade II or worse spondylolisthesis, or one or more failed fusions. Ultrasonic stimulators are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven for fractures, failed fusions or non-unions of the skull and vertebrae, stress fractures, and fractures with post-reduction displacement of more than 50%, while electrical stimulators are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven for indications such as Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis of the hip, comminuted toe fractures and loosened hip or knee prostheses, and semi-invasive stimulators are considered unproven for all indications.