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The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that the implantation of spinal cord stimulators (SCS) may be covered as therapies for the relief 
of chronic intractable pain. SCS is best suited for neuropathic pain, but may have some limited value in other 
types of nociceptive severe, intractable pain. Therapy consists of a short trial with a percutaneous implantation 
of neurostimulator electrode(s) in the epidural space for assessing a patients suitability for ongoing treatment 
with a permanent surgically implanted nerve stimulator. Performance and documentation of an effective trial is 
a prerequisite for permanent nerve stimulation. 
 
Only patients who experience a positive response to a trial should proceed to a permanent implantation. All 
trials which proceed to permanent implant must have adequate documentation in the chart to support that 
decision. A successful trial should be associated with at least a 50% reduction of target pain, or 50% reduction 
of analgesic medications, and show some element of functional improvement. (Patients with reflex sympathetic 
dystrophy may show lower levels of improvement, since it takes longer periods for improvement than the 
typical 1 to 2 week trial). Physician judgment and experience will also be taken into account. Physicians with a 
low trial to permanent implant ratio (less than 50%) may/can/will be subject to post-payment review and may 
be asked to submit documentation as to the patient selection criteria, the radiologic imaging demonstrating 
proper lead placement, and the medical necessity of the trials. Failure to provide this documentation will be 
cause for post-payment denial and recoupment of reimbursement. It is understood that all patients may not have 
a favorable result of the trial implant; but careful selection should find the most appropriate patients. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Spinal Cord Stimulators for 
Chronic Pain (L37632). 
 
No payment may be made for the implantation of dorsal column or depth brain stimulators or services and 
supplies related to such implantation, unless all of the conditions listed below have been met: 
 
    The implantation of the stimulator is used only as a late resort (if not a last resort) for patients with chronic 
intractable pain; 
    With respect to item a, other treatment modalities (pharmacological, surgical, physical, or psychological 
therapies) have been tried and did not prove satisfactory, or are judged to be unsuitable or contraindicated for 
the given patient; 
    Patients have undergone careful screening, evaluation and diagnosis by a multidisciplinary team prior to 
implantation. (Such screening must include psychological, as well as physical evaluation);     All the facilities, equipment, and professional and support personnel required for the proper diagnosis, 
treatment training, and follow up of the patient (including that required to satisfy item c) must be available; and 
    Demonstration of pain relief with a temporarily implanted electrode precedes permanent implantation. 
 
Medicare Administrative Contractors may find it helpful to work with Quality Improvement Organizations to 
obtain the information needed to apply these conditions to claims. 
 
You can find this information in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Electrical Nerve Stimulators 
(160.7). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.