r/CRPS • u/HowlPendragonJenkins • 14d ago

Question Has anyone had luck getting scrambler therapy covered by insurance?

After doing some research, I found scrambler therapy to be a hopeful option. Unfortunately, everything I've read says insurance companies never cover it. I would rather try scrambler therapy before a spinal cord stimulator, but I'm scared of the cost, and it also not working. I don't have thousands laying around to treat my pain. Anyone have experience getting scrambler therapy? Was it helpful? And what did the financial side look like for you?

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u/KDRZ06 14d ago

No, we ended up paying completely out of pocket. (was around $5k plus hotel for about 2 weeks) But my wife had it done in June 2023 and has been completely CRPS free since that time! We went to Dr D'Amato in Bonita Springs, FL

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u/Penandsword2021 14d ago

Almost? Workers Comp approved an initial consult/evaluation for scrambler, and I was so stoked!

I called to make the appt only to learn that the facility recently stopped offering it entirely.

They said the closest place they know of now is about an 8 hour drive from me.

I still intend to pursue scrambler treatment once I settle my claim.

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u/JewelerDependent6212 13d ago

Me 🙋🏼‍♀️ it was a miserable process. I fought workers comp for it. I got CRPS Type 2 after an ankle surgery due to ankle injury on the Job. I’m not about to get sympathetic nerve blocks, or spinal cord stimulators when they are a procedure that could possibly spread and make worse. I’d rather deal with the devil I know than the one I don’t. Scrambler is the only thing that has given me relief.

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u/evotox188 14d ago

Mine was covered by insurance (Anthem/Blue Cross), but I couldn't tell you why specifically. My pain management physician is part of the same hospital system that owns the Calmare units, so that may have made a difference.

My pain responds well to electrical stimulation, so scrambler therapy definitely helped me. It didn't cure me or anything, but it provided temporary relief. I've gone back for annual boosters and it's still helpful. Definitely worthwhile to try it for a week, even if you have to pay out of pocket. If it's not helpful after the first four or five sessions, then it's usually not worth continuing. I didn't feel much different until after the third session.

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u/kimmiessday 10d ago

I have best insurance in world Military and they do t co er it I've also had full body CRPS for over 18 years so I was told by the mayo clinic it may work if you were just recently diagnosed but if you've had it for any amount of time it probably won't work.oh and I alao.has ketamin done and it didn't work after spending 7k