Advanced Search

Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

MRI for Pacemaker Patients Is Under Review Again

Published on Mon Apr 04, 2011

Question: Is it true that Medicare is now covering MRI scans for patients with the new MRI-safe pacemaker?Florida SubscriberAnswer: As of publication time, the answer to that question is, "Not exactly."Medicare announced it will cover MRI scans for patients with implanted pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators, but only if those patients are enrolled in CMS-approved clinical studies studying MRI safety and meet multiple requirements set forth in the national coverage determination available at www.cms.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R132NCD.pdf.This coverage change became effective Feb. 24, 2011. You can find the MLN Matters article at www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM7296.pdf.Confusion clarified: CMS has indicated the above coverage decision was made independent of the approval of Medtronic's Revo MRI SureScan, a pacemaker the FDA approved for use with MRI. CMS said the FDA "approval came after the close of public comment period on our recent reconsideration of the MRI NCD (CAG-00399R2, published February 24, 2011) and too late for CMS [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Radiology Coding Alert

View All