PG0094-02/01/2024
Page 4 of 10
participating in the therapy, physically and intellectually; and
• Symptoms of functional constipation that meet Rome IV criteria; and
o Rome IV diagnostic criteria (fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months
prior to diagnosis) for functional constipation include:
▪ Must include TWO or more of the following
▪ Loose stools are rarely present without the use of laxatives;
▪ Insufficient criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.
▪ Straining during more than one-fourth (25%) of defecations,
▪ Lumpy or hard stools (Bristol Stool Funn Scale 1-2) more than one-fourth (25%) of
defecations,
▪ Sensation of incomplete evacuation more than one-fourth (25%) of defecations,
▪ Sensation of anorectal obstruction/blockage more than one-fourth (25%) of defecations,
▪ Manual maneuvers to facilitate more than one-fourth (25%) of defecations (e.g., digital
evacuation, support of the pelvic floor),
▪ Fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week
• Objective physiologic evidence of pelvic floor dyssynergia demonstrated by inappropriate contraction of
the pelvic floor muscles or less than 20% relaxation of basal resting sphincter pressure by manometry,
imaging or electromyography (EMG); and
• Failed a 3-month trial of standard treatments for constipation including laxatives, dietary changes, and
exercises (as many of the previous as are tolerated).
Biofeedback is considered experimental, investigational and/or unproven as a treatment of constipation/fecal
incontinence in adults and children in all other situations, as there is insufficient evidence to support a conclusion
concerning the health outcomes or benefits associated with this procedure, including but not limited-to:
• Isolated internal anal sphincter weakness
• Overflow incontinence associated with behavioral or psychiatric disorders
• Neurological disorders associated with substantial loss of rectal sensation and/or the inability to contract
the external anal sphincter
• Decreased rectal storage capacity from resection, inflammation, or fibrosis
• Suspected or established major structural damage to continence mechanisms
• Chronic constipation in members with organic neuromuscular impairment who have difficulty with outlet
obstruction
Stress, urgency, mixed, or overflow urinary incontinence:
Biofeedback for the treatment stress and/or urge urinary incontinence may be considered medically necessary
as demonstrated by meeting the following indications:
• Cognitively intact adult members when documentation supports a previously failed trial of pelvic muscle
exercise (PME) training. A failed trial is observed when no significant clinical improvement in urinary
incontinence is noted after completing four weeks of a physician plan of pelvic muscle exercises to
increase periurethral muscle strength.
• For children with daytime urinary dysfunction when the child meets the following criteria:
o Ages four years or older
o Neurologic, anatomic, infectious or functional causes have been ruled out
o Other alternative options have been unsuccessful, e.g., timed voiding, prophylactic antibacterial
therapy for recurrent urinary tract infections, short term anticholinergic medications to assist
developing a normal voiding pattern
o Able to comprehend and follow verbal instructions
Documentation in the member’s medical record for biofeedback training for the treatment of stress, urge, or
persistent post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence must support medical necessity and must provide a clear
history of conventional treatments unsuccessfully tried before the initiation of biofeedback (e.g., pharmacology;
lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, dietary changes, smoking cessation; behavioral modification training,
such as bladder training, scheduled or prompted voiding, fluid intake modification; heat, cold, or massage). In
addition, documentation must show evidence that the member has failed a 4-week prescribed trial of pelvic