Permanent cardiac pacemakers refer to a group of self-contained, battery-operated, implanted devices that send electrical stimulation to the heart through one or more implanted leads. Single chamber pacemakers typically target either the right atrium or right ventricle. Dual chamber pacemakers stimulate both the right atrium and the right ventricle.

On August 13, 2013, CMS issued an NCD, in which CMS concluded that implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, are reasonable and necessary for the treatment of non-reversible, symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second and/or third degree atrioventricular block. Symptoms of bradycardia are symptoms that can be directly attributable to a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute (for example,syncope, seizures, congestive heart failure, dizziness, or confusion).

The following indications are covered for implanted permanent single chamber or dual
chamber cardiac pacemakers:
1. Documented non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction.
2. Documented non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to second degree and/or third de
gree atrioventricular block.

The following indications are non-covered for implanted permanent single chamber or dual
chamber cardiac pacemakers:
1. Reversible causes of bradycardia such as electrolyte abnormalities, medications or drugs, and hypothermia.
2.Asymptomatic first degree atrioventricular block. *(exception)
3.Asymptomatic sinus bradycardia.
4.Asymptomatic sino-atrial block or asymptomatic sinus arrest. *(exception)
5.Ineffective atrial contractions (for example, chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter, or giant left atrium) without symptomatic bradycardia. *(exception)
6.Asymptomatic second degree atrioventricular block of Mobitz Type I unless the QRS complexes are prolonged or electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that the block is at or beyond the level of the His Bundle (a component of the electrical conduction system of the heart).
7.Syncope of undetermined cause. *(exception)
8.Bradycardia during sleep.
9.Right bundle branch block with left axis deviation (and other forms of fascicular or bundle branch block) without syncope or other symptoms of intermittent atrioventric ular block. *(exception)
10. Asymptomatic bradycardia in post-myocardial infarction patients about to initiate long-
term beta-blocker drug therapy.
11.Frequent or persistent supraventricular tachycardias, except where the pacemaker is specifically for the control of tachycardia. *(exception)
12.A clinical condition in which pacing takes place only intermittently and briefly, and which is not associated with a reasonable likelihood that pacing needs will become prolonged.

NOTES: MACs shall accept the inclusion of the KX modifier on the claim line(s) as an attestation by the practitioner and/or provider of the service that documentation is on file verifying the patient has non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia (symptoms of bradycardia are symptoms that can be directly attributable to a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute (for example, syncope, seizures, congestive heart failure, dizziness, or confusion)).

NOTE: The final decision memorandum addresses Medicare policy specific to implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, for the treatment of non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second and/or third degree atrioventricular block. Medicare coverage of removal/replacement of implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, for the above-noted indications, were not addressed in the final decision. Therefore, it is expected that MACs will continue to apply the reasonable and necessary standard in determining local coverage within their respective jurisdictions for removal/replacement of implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber.

Permanent cardiac pacemakers refer to a group of self-contained, battery-operated, implanted devices that send electrical stimulation to the heart through one or more implanted leads. Single chamber pacemakers typically target either the right atrium or right ventricle. Dual chamber pacemakers stimulate both the right atrium and the right ventricle.

On August 13, 2013, CMS issued an NCD, in which CMS concluded that implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, are reasonable and necessary for the treatment of non-reversible, symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second and/or third degree atrioventricular block. Symptoms of bradycardia are symptoms that can be directly attributable to a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute (for example,syncope, seizures, congestive heart failure, dizziness, or confusion).

The following indications are covered for implanted permanent single chamber or dual
chamber cardiac pacemakers:
1. Documented non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction.
2. Documented non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to second degree and/or third de
gree atrioventricular block.

The following indications are non-covered for implanted permanent single chamber or dual
chamber cardiac pacemakers:
1. Reversible causes of bradycardia such as electrolyte abnormalities, medications or drugs, and hypothermia.
2.Asymptomatic first degree atrioventricular block. *(exception)
3.Asymptomatic sinus bradycardia.
4.Asymptomatic sino-atrial block or asymptomatic sinus arrest. *(exception)
5.Ineffective atrial contractions (for example, chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter, or giant left atrium) without symptomatic bradycardia. *(exception)
6.Asymptomatic second degree atrioventricular block of Mobitz Type I unless the QRS complexes are prolonged or electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that the block is at or beyond the level of the His Bundle (a component of the electrical conduction system of the heart).
7.Syncope of undetermined cause. *(exception)
8.Bradycardia during sleep.
9.Right bundle branch block with left axis deviation (and other forms of fascicular or bundle branch block) without syncope or other symptoms of intermittent atrioventric ular block. *(exception)
10. Asymptomatic bradycardia in post-myocardial infarction patients about to initiate long-
term beta-blocker drug therapy.
11.Frequent or persistent supraventricular tachycardias, except where the pacemaker is specifically for the control of tachycardia. *(exception)
12.A clinical condition in which pacing takes place only intermittently and briefly, and which is not associated with a reasonable likelihood that pacing needs will become prolonged.

NOTES: MACs shall accept the inclusion of the KX modifier on the claim line(s) as an attestation by the practitioner and/or provider of the service that documentation is on file verifying the patient has non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia (symptoms of bradycardia are symptoms that can be directly attributable to a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute (for example, syncope, seizures, congestive heart failure, dizziness, or confusion)).

NOTE: The final decision memorandum addresses Medicare policy specific to implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, for the treatment of non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second and/or third degree atrioventricular block. Medicare coverage of removal/replacement of implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber, for the above-noted indications, were not addressed in the final decision. Therefore, it is expected that MACs will continue to apply the reasonable and necessary standard in determining local coverage within their respective jurisdictions for removal/replacement of implanted permanent cardiac pacemakers, single chamber or dual chamber.