Bone Growth Stimulation

This policy must be read in conjunction with the Surgery Elective policy.

Policy

The TAC can fund the reasonable cost of either implantable or externally applied Bone Growth Stimulation Equipment that is required as a direct result of transport accident injuries.

Transport Accident Act 1986 reference: s.3 'medical service' and s.60

Background

Bone growth stimulation is used in non-united fractures and is intended to promote healing by inducing pulsing electrical currents to the fracture site.

There are two types of bone growth stimulators available:

• Implantable
• Externally applied.

Guidelines

What can the TAC fund in relation to bone growth stimulation?

The TAC can fund the cost of an implantable bone growth stimulator in accordance with the Department of Health and Ageing's 'Prostheses List' and the TAC's Surgically Implanted Prostheses policy.

The TAC can fund the cost of the distributor's list price for the externally applied bone stimulation equipment, that has Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for sale within Australia.

To expedite payment of accounts and ensure that the most appropriate services are provided to the client, the TAC encourages prior approval to be sought by the client's treating registered medical practitioner. 

Who can prescribe bone growth stimulation equipment?

The TAC will only pay for equipment that has been prescribed by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Who is eligible for treatment?

The TAC will pay for externally applied bone stimulation equipment only for clients who have skeletal maturity. This excludes clients under 18 years of age, or pregnant/nursing women.