Addressing Medicare coverage for biofeedback in the treatment of urinary incontinence

Clinicians use biofeedback as a tool to assist in muscle re-education when treating patients with urinary incontinence. Although the literature on biofeedback suggests its effectiveness, it lacks consensus and data on the frequency and number of biofeedback sessions necessary. Patient selection for pelvic floor muscle exercise with and without biofeedback is also not clearly identified. Medicare carriers in 21 states have written policies that specifically recognize biofeedback in the treatment of urinary incontinence. In states with these policies, problematic issues include failure to recognize the appropriate biofeedback code, number of services recognized, and bundling other services with biofeedback. In states without a written policy, attention needs to focus on developing a local medical review policy. Clinicians can make a difference by understanding the factors hindering the process, including the inadequacy of the literature and confusion over muscle re-education and the role of biofeedback. There is a need to identify a standard that addresses the diversity of clinicians and their opinions. This article reviews urinary incontinence and the role of biofeedback, focusing on Medicare coverage and how clinicians can help develop local carrier policies to supplement the national policy.