Supreme Court Says OWC Misapplied Guidelines for Neurostimulation Treatment

The Louisiana Supreme Court last week ruled that the medical director and the Office of Workers' Compensation misapplied the state's Medical Treatment Guidelines to deny an injured worker a spinal cord stimulator. The guidelines provide that neurostimulation devices are appropriate for patients suffering from chronic pain only if the "topography of pain and its underlying pathophysiology are amenable to stimulation coverage (the entire painful area has been covered)." The Supreme Court on Wednesday said this language meant neurostimulation is appropriate if it addresse...