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National Coverage Determination (NCD)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing (Diagnosis)

190.14

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Tracking Information

Publication Number
100-3
Manual Section Number
190.14
Manual Section Title
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing (Diagnosis)
Version Number
3
Effective Date of this Version
12/08/2009
Ending Effective Date of this Version
Implementation Date
07/06/2010
Implementation QR Modifier Date

Description Information

Benefit Category
No Benefit Category


Please Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

Item/Service Description

Diagnosis of HIV infection is primarily made through the use of serologic assays. These assays take one of two forms: antibody detection assays and specific HIV antigen (p24) procedures. The antibody assays are usually enzyme immunoassays (EIA) which are used to confirm exposure of an individual's immune system to specific viral antigens. These assays may be formatted to detect HIV-1, HIV-2, or HIV-1 and 2 simultaneously and to detect both IgM and IgG. When the initial EIA test is repeatedly positive or indeterminant, an alternative test is used to confirm the specificity of the antibodies to individual viral components. The most commonly used method is the Western Blot.

The HIV-1 core antigen (p24) test detects circulating viral antigen which may be found prior to the development of antibodies and may also be present in later stages of illness in the form of recurrent or persistent antigenemia. Its prognostic utility in HIV infection has been diminished as a result of development of sensitive viral RNA assays, and its primary use today is as a routine screening tool in potential blood donors.

In several unique situations, serologic testing alone may not reliably establish an HIV infection. This may occur because the antibody response (particularly the IgG response detected by Western Blot) has not yet developed (that is, acute retroviral syndrome), or is persistently equivocal because of inherent viral antigen variability. It is also an issue in perinatal HIV infection due to transplacental passage of maternal HIV antibody. In these situations, laboratory evidence of HIV in blood by culture, antigen assays, or proviral DNA or viral RNA assays, is required to establish a definitive determination of HIV infection.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage

Indications

Diagnostic testing to establish HIV infection may be indicated when there is a strong clinical suspicion supported by one or more of the following clinical findings:

  1. The patient has a documented, otherwise unexplained, AIDS-defining or AIDS-associated opportunistic infection.
  2. The patient has another documented sexually transmitted disease which identifies significant risk of exposure to HIV and the potential for an early or subclinical infection.
  3. The patient has documented acute or chronic hepatitis B or C infection that identifies a significant risk of exposure to HIV and the potential for an early or subclinical infection.
  4. The patient has a documented AIDS-defining or AIDS-associated neoplasm.
  5. The patient has a documented AIDS-associated neurologic disorder or otherwise unexplained dementia.
  6. The patient has another documented AIDS-defining clinical condition, or a history of other severe, recurrent, or persistent conditions which suggest an underlying immune deficiency (for example, cutaneous or mucosal disorders).
  7. The patient has otherwise unexplained generalized signs and symptoms suggestive of a chronic process with an underlying immune deficiency (for example, fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, chronic cough, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, or lymphadenopathy).
  8. The patient has otherwise unexplained laboratory evidence of a chronic disease process with an underlying immune deficiency (for example, anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, lymphopenia, or low CD4+ lymphocyte count).
  9. The patient has signs and symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome with fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, and skin rash.
  10. The patient has documented exposure to blood or body fluids known to be capable of transmitting HIV (for example, needle sticks and other significant blood exposures) and antiviral therapy is initiated or anticipated to be initiated.
  11. The patient is undergoing treatment for rape.  (HIV testing is a part of the rape treatment protocol.)

Limitations

  1. HIV antibody testing in the United States is usually performed using HIV-1 or HIV-½ combination tests.  HIV-2 testing is indicated if clinical circumstances suggest HIV-2 is likely (that is, compatible clinical findings and HIV-1 test negative).  HIV-2 testing may also be indicated in areas of the country where there is greater prevalence of HIV-2 infections.
  2. The Western Blot test should be performed only after documentation that the initial EIA tests are repeatedly positive or equivocal on a single sample.
  3. The HIV antigen tests currently have no defined diagnostic usage.
  4. Direct viral RNA detection may be performed in those situations where serologic testing does not establish a diagnosis but strong clinical suspicion persists (for example, acute retroviral syndrome, nonspecific serologic evidence of HIV, or perinatal HIV infection).
  5. If initial serologic tests confirm an HIV infection, repeat testing is not indicated.
  6. If initial serologic tests are HIV EIA negative and there is no indication for confirmation of infection by viral RNA detection, the interval prior to retesting is 3-6 months.
  7. Testing for evidence of HIV infection using serologic methods may be medically appropriate in situations where there is a risk of exposure to HIV.
  8. The CPT Editorial Panel has issued a number of codes for infectious agent detection by direct antigen or nucleic acid probe techniques that have not yet been developed or are only being used on an investigational basis.  Laboratory providers are advised to remain current on FDA-approval status for these tests.

Note: Scroll down for links to the quarterly Covered Code Lists (including narrative).
Cross Reference
Also see the Medicare Claims Processing Manual Opens in a new window, Chapter 120, Clinical Laboratory Services Based on Negotiated Rulemaking.
Claims Processing Instructions

Transmittal Information

Transmittal Number
131
Coverage Transmittal Link
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R131NCD.pdf Opens in a new window
Revision History

12/2019 - Changes to the Laboratory National Coverage Determination (NCD) Edit Software for April 2020. This Change Request (CR) announces the changes that will be included in the April 2020 quarterly release of the edit module for clinical diagnostic laboratory services. This recurring update notification applies to chapter 16, section 120.2, publication 100-04. (TN 4475 Opens in a new window) (CR11593)

02/2011 - Transmittal 118, dated March 23, 2010, is rescinded and replaced with Transmittal 131, dated February 23, 2011, to revise the descriptors of the 3 HIV screening codes to align with the descriptors in the official code files. All other material remains the same. (TN 131 Opens in a new window) (CR6786)

03/2006 - Restore a portion of a sentence in limitation 7. Effective/Implementation date: 06/19/2006. (TN 48 Opens in a new window) (CR4278)

07/2004 - Published NCD in the NCD Manual without change to narrative contained in PM AB-02-110. Coding guidance now published in Medicare Lab NCD Manual. Effective and Implementation dates NA. (TN 17 Opens in a new window) (CR 2130)

07/2002 - Implemented NCD. Effective date 11/25/02. Implementation date 1/01/03. (TN AB-02-110 Opens in a new window) (CR 2130)
Other

Covered Code Lists (including narrative)

January 2025 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2024 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2024 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2024 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2024 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2023 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2023 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2023 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2023 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2022 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2022 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2022 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2022 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2021 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2021 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2021 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2021 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2020 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2020 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2020 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2020 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2019 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2019 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2019 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2019 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2018 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2018 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2018 (PDF) (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2018 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2017 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
July 2017 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
April 2017 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2017 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2016 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
January 2016 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window)
October 2015 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window, ICD-9 Opens in a new window)
October 2014 (ICD-10 Opens in a new window, ICD-9 Opens in a new window)

Changes to Lab NCD Edit Software

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October 2023 Opens in a new window
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October 2019 Opens in a new window
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July 2017 Opens in a new window
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January 2016 Opens in a new window
October 2014 Opens in a new window

National Coverage Analyses (NCAs)

This NCD has been or is currently being reviewed under the National Coverage Determination process. The following are existing associations with NCAs, from the National Coverage Analyses database.

Coding Analyses for Labs (CALs)

This NCD has been or is currently being reviewed under the National Coverage Determination process. The following are existing associations with CALs, from the Coding Analyses for Labs database.

Additional Information

Other Versions
Title Version Effective Between View the document version
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing (Diagnosis) 3 12/08/2009 - N/A You are here
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing (Diagnosis) 2 06/19/2006 - 12/08/2009 View
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing (Diagnosis) 1 11/25/2002 - 06/19/2006 View
CPT Copyright Statement
CPT only copyright 2002-2011 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Applicable FARS/DFARS Apply to Government Use. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
Reasons for Denial
Note: This section has not been negotiated by the Negotiated RuleMaking Committee. It includes CMS’s interpretation of it’s longstanding policies and is included for informational purposes. Tests for screening purposes that are performed in the absense of signs, symptoms, complaints, or personal history of disease or injury are not covered except as explicity authorized by statue. These include exams required by insurance companies, business establishments, government agencies, or other third parties. Tests that are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury are not covered according to the statue. Failure to provide documentation of the medical necessity of tests may result in denial of claims. The documentation may include notes documenting relevant signs, symptoms, or abnormal findings that substantiate the medical necessity for ordering the tests. In addition, failure to provide independent verification that the test was ordered by the treating physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) through documentation in the physician’s office may result in denial. A claim for a test for which there is a national coverage or local medical review policy will be denied as not reasonable and necessary if it is submitted without an ICD-9-CM code or narrative diagnosis listed as covered in the policy unless other medical documentation justifying the necessity is submitted with the claim. If a national or local policy identifies a frequency expectation, a claim for a test that exceeds that expectation may be denied as not reasonable and necessary, unless it is submitted with documentation justifying increased frequency. Tests that are not ordered by a treating physician or other qualified treating nonphysician practitioner acting within the scope of their license and in compliance with Medicare requirements will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Failure of the laboratory performing the test to have the appropriate Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA) certificate for the testing performed will result in denial of claims.
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