Calling on Carelon to Cover SCS

IPSIS joined 5 other medical societies in calling on Carelon Health to modify its restrictive policy on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for low back pain.

As noted in a June 18, 2025, letter to Carelon, their current policy:

• Requires unnecessary evaluation by a spine surgeon, even for patients without surgical indications.
• Limits SCS use to “last resort” only, contradicting modern pain management standards.
• Relies on outdated literature and omits key studies published since 2022.
• Leaves non-surgical patients with limited, often less effective or riskier alternatives.
  

This policy affects patients in Arizona, California, Iowa, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas — potentially delaying or denying access to a therapy that has been shown to improve function and reduce pain in appropriately selected patients.

IPSIS advocates for evidence-based policies that expand access to safe, effective treatments for individuals suffering from debilitating pain. Help sustain this vital advocacy with your donations. The International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) is a tax exempt organization under US section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.