Local Coverage Determination (LCD)

EEG – Ambulatory Monitoring

L33399

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Proposed LCD
Proposed LCDs are works in progress that are available on the Medicare Coverage Database site for public review. Proposed LCDs are not necessarily a reflection of the current policies or practices of the contractor.

Document Note

Note History

Contractor Information

LCD Information

Document Information

Source LCD ID
N/A
LCD ID
L33399
Original ICD-9 LCD ID
Not Applicable
LCD Title
EEG – Ambulatory Monitoring
Proposed LCD in Comment Period
N/A
Source Proposed LCD
N/A
Original Effective Date
For services performed on or after 10/01/2015
Revision Effective Date
For services performed on or after 01/01/2020
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
N/A
Notice Period Start Date
N/A
Notice Period End Date
N/A

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Issue

Issue Description
Issue - Explanation of Change Between Proposed LCD and Final LCD

CMS National Coverage Policy

Language quoted from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals is italicized throughout the policy. NCDs and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals are not subject to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Review Process (42 CFR 405.860[b] and 42 CFR 426 [Subpart D]). In addition, an administrative law judge may not review an NCD. See Section 1869(f)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act.

Unless otherwise specified, italicized text represents quotation from one or more of the following CMS sources:

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA):

Section 1862(a)(1)(A) excludes expenses incurred for items or services which are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.

Section 1862(a)(7) excludes routine physical examinations, unless otherwise covered by statute.

Section 1833(e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim.

Code of Federal Regulations:

42 CFR, Section 410.32, indicates that diagnostic tests may only be ordered by the treating physician (or other treating practitioner acting within the scope of his or her license and Medicare requirements) who furnishes a consultation or treats a beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem. Tests not ordered by the physician (or other qualified non-physician provider) who is treating the beneficiary are not reasonable and necessary (see Sec. 411.15(k)(1) of this chapter).

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity

Abstract:

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the brain (brainwaves) using highly sensitive recording equipment attached to the scalp by fine electrodes. It is used to diagnose neurological conditions.

EEGs can be recorded by ambulatory cassette. Ambulatory cassette-recorded EEGs offer the ability to record the EEG on a long-term, outpatient basis. Electrodes for at least four (4) recording channels are placed on the patient. The cassette recorder is attached to the patient’s waist or on a shoulder harness. Recorded electrical activity is analyzed by playback through an audio amplifier system and video monitors.

Ambulatory EEG monitoring may facilitate the differential diagnosis between seizures and syncopal attacks, sleep apnea, cardiac arrhythmias or hysterical episodes. The test may also allow the investigator to identify the epileptic nature of some episodic periods of disturbed consciousness, mild confusion, or peculiar behavior, where resting EEG is not conclusive. It may also allow an estimate of seizure frequency, which may at times help to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug and determine its appropriate dosage.

Indications:

  • Inconclusive EEGs;
  • Experiencing episodic events where epilepsy is suspected but the history, examination, and routine EEG do not resolve the diagnostic uncertainties;
  • Patients with confirmed epilepsy who are experiencing suspected non-epileptic events or for classification of seizure type (only ictal recordings can reliably be used to classify seizure type (or types) which is important in selecting appropriate anti-epileptic drug therapy;
  • Differentiating between neurological and cardiac related problems;
  • Adjusting anti-epileptic medication levels;
  • Localizing seizure focus for enhanced patient management;
  • Identifying and medicating absence seizures;
  • For suspected seizures of sleep disturbances;
  • Seizures which are precipitated by naturally occurring cyclic events or environmental stimuli which are not reproducible in the hospital or clinic setting.

Ambulatory monitoring, however, is not necessary to evaluate most seizures, which are usually readily diagnosed by routine EEG studies and history.

Limitations:

  • Study of neonates or unattended, non-cooperative patients;
  • Localization of seizure focus/foci when the seizure symptoms and/or other EEG recordings indicate the presence of bilateral foci or rapid generalization.
Summary of Evidence

N/A

Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

N/A

Proposed Process Information

Synopsis of Changes
Changes Fields Changed
N/A
Associated Information
Sources of Information
Bibliography
Open Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
N/A
MAC Meeting Information URLs
N/A
Proposed LCD Posting Date
Comment Period Start Date
Comment Period End Date
Reason for Proposed LCD
Requestor Information
This request was MAC initiated.
Requestor Name Requestor Letter
View Letter
N/A
Contact for Comments on Proposed LCD

Coding Information

Bill Type Codes

Code Description

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N/A

Revenue Codes

Code Description

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N/A

CPT/HCPCS Codes

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

N/A

Group 1 Codes:

N/A

N/A

Additional ICD-10 Information

General Information

Associated Information
N/A
Sources of Information

This bibliography presents those sources that were obtained during the development of this policy. National Government Services is not responsible for the continuing viability of Web site addresses listed below.

Other contractor local coverage determinations (LCDs) - NHIC, Corp. (L26878) and Novitas Solutions, Inc. (L32717)

Bibliography

N/A

Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation Reasons for Change
01/01/2020 R4

Due to annual CPT/HCPCs updates and the expansion of the new CPT codes, which now cover greater than 24 hours, the title has been changed in addition to minor revisions to the Abstract in order to remove the language specific to 24 hour monitoring.

  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
09/12/2019 R3

Consistent with Change Request 10901, all coding information, National coverage provisions, and Associated Information (Documentation Requirements, Utilization Guidelines) have been removed from the LCD and placed in the related Billing and Coding Article, A57030. There has been no change in coverage with this LCD revision.

  • Revisions Due To Code Removal
10/01/2015 R2 Minor formatting change.
  • Other
10/01/2015 R1 The ICD-10-CM version of the LCD has been updated to incorporate changes in the ICD-9-CM version.
  • Provider Education/Guidance
N/A

Associated Documents

Attachments
N/A
Related Local Coverage Documents
Articles
A57030 - Billing and Coding: EEG – Ambulatory Monitoring
Related National Coverage Documents
N/A
Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
12/20/2019 01/01/2020 - N/A Currently in Effect You are here
Some older versions have been archived. Please visit the MCD Archive Site to retrieve them.

Keywords

  • EEG
  • 24 Hour Monitoring
  • Electroencephalogram

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