Dec 30, 2015
Coverage Guidance Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity 1. The indications for renal arteriography adapted from the American College of Radiology (1999) include the following: Severe and/or difficult to control renal vascular hypertension...
May 26, 2011
The physician interpreting the diagnostic test may report unrelated and coexisting conditions/diagnoses as additional diagnoses. Example: A patient is referred to a radiologist for a chest X-ray because of a cough. The result of the chest X-ray indicates the patient...
May 24, 2011
Incidental Findings Incidental findings should never be listed as primary diagnoses. If reported, incidental findings may be reported as secondary diagnoses by the physician interpreting the diagnostic test. Example 1: A patient is referred to a radiologist for an...
May 21, 2011
As specified in the Balanced Budget Act (BBA), referring physicians are required to provide diagnostic information to the testing entity at the time the test is ordered. On the rare occasion when the interpreting physician does not have diagnostic information as to...
May 15, 2011
Determining the Appropriate Primary ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code for Diagnostic Tests Ordered Due to Signs and/or Symptoms If the physician has confirmed a diagnosis based on the results of the diagnostic test, the physician interpreting the test should code that...
Apr 28, 2011
Use of ICD-9-CM to the Greatest Degree of Accuracy and Completeness The testing facility or the interpreting physician should code the ICD-9-CM code that provides the highest degree of accuracy and completeness for the diagnosis resulting from test, or for the...
Feb 10, 2011
Coverage for PET Scans for Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases Effective for dates of service on or after September 15, 2004, Medicare will cover FDG PET scans for a differential diagnosis of fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease OR; its use...
