Health Committee Rejects Coverage for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy will not be a covered benefit for injured workers in Washington state who have musculoskeletal conditions. The Department of Labor and Industries said that effective Aug. 1, it will not pay for the noninvasive treatment for chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciitis and tendinopathies. The decision is based on a determination by Health Technology Clinical Committee, which said in March the treatment was not proven for efficacy or cost-effectiveness. “Although ESWT is increasingly being used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal co...