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Local Coverage Determination (LCD)

Molecular Pathology Procedures

L34519

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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
L34519
Original ICD-9 LCD ID
Not Applicable
LCD Title
Molecular Pathology Procedures
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 12/12/2021
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

The Pharmacogenomics Testing LCD L39073 is becoming effective on 12/12/2021. Therefore, we are removing overlapping information in this Molecular Pathology Procedures LCD. 
Issue - Explanation of Change Between Proposed LCD and Final LCD

CMS National Coverage Policy

This LCD supplements but does not replace, modify or supersede existing Medicare applicable National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) or payment policy rules and regulations for Molecular Pathology Procedures. Federal statute and subsequent Medicare regulations regarding provision and payment for medical services are lengthy. They are not repeated in this LCD. Neither Medicare payment policy rules nor this LCD replace, modify or supersede applicable state statutes regarding medical practice or other health practice professions acts, definitions and/or scopes of practice. All providers who report services for Medicare payment must fully understand and follow all existing laws, regulations and rules for Medicare payment for Molecular Pathology Procedures and must properly submit only valid claims for them. Please review and understand them and apply the medical necessity provisions in the policy within the context of the manual rules. Relevant CMS manual instructions and policies may be found in the following Internet-Only Manuals (IOMs) published on the CMS Web site.

Internet Only Manual (IOM) Citations:

  • CMS IOM Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, 
    • Chapter 15, Section 80.1 Clinical Laboratory Services
  • CMS IOM Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, 
    • Chapter 16, Laboratory Services
    • Chapter 23, Section 40 Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Fee Schedule 
    • Chapter 30, Section 50 - Form CMS-R-131 Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)
  • CMS IOM Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual,
    • Chapter 13, Section 13.5.4 Reasonable and Necessary Provision in an LCD 

National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Citation:

  • NCCI Policy Manual for Medicare Services
    • Chapter 10, Pathology/Laboratory Services, (A) Introduction

Social Security Act (Title XVIII) Standard References:

  • Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A) states that no Medicare payment may be made for items or services which are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury. 
  • Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(7). This section excludes routine physical examinations. 
  • Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1833(e) states that no payment shall be made to any provider for any claim that lacks the necessary information to process the claim.

Federal Register References:

  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42, Volume 2, Chapter IV, Part 410.32 Diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests: Conditions  
  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42, Volume 2, Chapter IV, Part 493 Laboratory Requirements

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity

Compliance with the provisions in this LCD may be monitored and addressed through post payment data analysis and subsequent medical review audits.

History/Background and/or General Information

Molecular pathology procedures have broad clinical and research applications. The following examples of applications may not be relevant to a beneficiary or may not meet a benefit category and/or reasonable and necessary threshold for coverage. Such examples include Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling (when applicable) for:

  • Disease Risk,
  • Carrier Screening,
  • Hereditary Cancer Syndromes,
  • Gene Expression Profiling for certain cancers,
  • Prenatal Diagnostic testing, and
  • Diagnosis and Monitoring Non-Cancer Indications 

For guidelines regarding laboratory services, please refer to 42 CFR part 493 – Laboratory Requirements.

For guidelines regarding orders for clinical laboratory services, please refer to 42 CFR §410.32 Diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests: Conditions.

For guidelines regarding orders for diagnostic tests, please refer to CMS IOM Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 80.6 Requirements for Ordering and Following Orders for Diagnostic Tests.

Many applications of the molecular pathology procedures are not covered services given lack of benefit category (preventive service) and/or failure to reach the reasonable and necessary threshold for coverage (based on quality of clinical evidence and strength of recommendation). Furthermore, payment of claims in the past (based on stacking codes) or in the future (based on the new code series) is not a statement of coverage since the service was not audited for compliance with program requirements and documentation supporting the reasonable and necessary testing for the beneficiary. Certain molecular pathology procedures may be subject to prepayment medical review (records requested) and paid claims must be supportable, if selected, for post payment audit. Molecular pathology tests for diseases or conditions that manifest severe signs or symptoms in newborns and in early childhood or that result in early death (e.g., Canavan disease) could be subject to automatic denials since these tests are not usually relevant to a beneficiary. 

Covered Indications

Molecular pathology procedures (Tier 1 and Tier 2) may be eligible for coverage when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  • Alternative laboratory or clinical tests to definitively diagnose the disorder/identify the condition are unavailable or results are clearly equivocal; AND
  • Availability of a clinically valid test, based on published peer reviewed medical literature; AND 
  • Testing assay(s) are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared or if LDT (lab developed test) or LDT protocol or FDA modified test(s) the laboratory documentation should support assay(s) analytical validity and clinical utility; AND 
  • Results of the testing must directly impact treatment or management of the beneficiary; AND 
  • For testing panels, including but not limited to, multiple genes or multiple conditions, and in cases where a tiered approach/method is clinically available, testing would be covered ONLY for the number of genes or test that are reasonable and necessary to establish a diagnosis; AND 
  • Individual has not previously received genetic testing for the disease/condition. (In general, diagnostic genetic testing for a disease should be performed once in a lifetime.)

Limitations

The following are considered not medically reasonable and necessary:

  1. Any procedures required prior to cell lysis (e.g., microdissection) should be reported separately and utilization must be clearly supported based on the application and clinical utility. Such claims may be subject to prepayment medical review. 
  2. For testing for quality assurance please refer to NCCI Policy Manual for Medicare Services, Chapter 10, Pathology/Laboratory Services.
  3. Screening services such as pre-symptomatic genetic tests and services used to detect an undiagnosed disease or disease predisposition are not a benefit and are not covered. Similarly, the costs of tests/examinations that assess the risk of a condition unless the risk assessment clearly and directly effects the management of the patient may not be reimbursed.
  4. A specific genetic test may only be performed once in a lifetime per beneficiary for inherited conditions; however, when medically reasonable and necessary, genetic testing may be done on acquired conditions such as malignancies (including separate malignancies developing at different times) as they are treated and are being followed, in order to assess response or other relevant clinical criteria. Likewise, there are situations where medical record and literature documentation are able to demonstrate that serial testing can be reasonably predicted to provide additional clinically useful information. When the record documents that this information, such as confirmed significant response to current therapy, is likely to assist in modifying treatment, serial testing can be considered reasonable and necessary and eligible for coverage.
Summary of Evidence

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Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

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Proposed Process Information

Synopsis of Changes
Changes Fields Changed
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Associated Information
Sources of Information
Bibliography
Open Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
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Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
Meeting Date Meeting States Meeting Information
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MAC Meeting Information URLs
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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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Revenue Codes

Code Description

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CPT/HCPCS Codes

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ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

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Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

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 Group 1 Codes:

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

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Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph:

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 Group 1 Codes:

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Additional ICD-10 Information

General Information

Associated Information

Please refer to the related Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Molecular Pathology Procedures (A57451) for documentation requirements, utilization parameters and all coding information as applicable.
Sources of Information

American Medical Association. (2012). Current procedural terminology (CPT®) professional edition 2013

LCDs and policies from other Medicare contractors and private insurers
Bibliography

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2011). Update for horizon scans of genetic tests currently available for clinical use in cancers. Tufts Evidence-based Practice Center

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013) Genomic testing: Genomic tests by level of evidence.

Hampel H; Frankel WL; Martin E; Arnold M; Khanduja K; Kuebler P; Nakagawa H; Sotamaa K; Prior TW; Westman J; et al.; (2005). Screening for the lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer). New England Journal of Medicine, 352(18),1851-60.

Schmeler KM; Lynch HT; Chen L; Munsell MF; Soliman PT; Clark MB; Daniels MS; White KG; Boyd-Rogers SG; Conrad PG; et al. (2006). Prophylactic surgery to reduce the risk of gynecologic cancers in lynch syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 354(3), 261-269.

Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society. (2008). U.S. system of oversight of genetic testing: A response to the charge of the secretary of health and human services. Department of Health and Human Services.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2005). Genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility: Recommendation statement.

Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation Reasons for Change
12/12/2021 R11

LCD Revised and Published 12/09/2021 to remove language in the History/Background and/or General Information section that references pharmacogenomics applications. For Pharmacogenomics testing services, please see the new LCD L39073 Pharmacogenomics Testing effective for dates of service on and after 12/12/2021.

Minor formatting changes were made throughout the LCD.
  • Other (Revised due to a new related LCD.)
10/01/2019 R10

Revision Number: 5
Publication: October 2019 Connection
LCR A/B2019-066

Explanation of Revision: Based on CR 10901, the LCD was revised to remove all billing and coding and all language not related to reasonable and necessary provisions (“Bill Type Codes”, “Revenue Codes”, “CPT/HCPCS Codes”, “ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity”, “Documentation Requirements” and “Utilization Guidelines” sections of the LCD and place them into a newly created billing and coding article. Also, during the process of moving the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes to the billing and coding article, the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code ranges were broken out and listed individually. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Internet-Only Manual (IOM) language has been removed from the “Coverage Guidance” section of the LCD and instead, the IOM citation related to this language is referenced. The effective date of this revision is for claims processed on or after January 8, 2019, for dates of service on or after October 3, 2018.

In addition, based on CR 11406, CR 11412 and CR 11451 (October 2019 Quarterly Updates), CPT codes 0111U, 0129U, and 0130U were added to the newly created billing and coding article. The effective date of this revision is for dates of service on or after October 1, 2019.

At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination and therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this LCD.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
  • Other (Revisions based on CR 10901)
01/01/2019 R9

Revision Number: 4
Publication: December 2018 Connection
LCR A/B2019-001

Explanation of revision: Annual 2019 HCPCS Update. Deleted CPT codes 81211, 81213, and 81214. Also, added CPT codes 81163, 81164, 81165, 81166, 81167, 81171, 81172, 81173, 81174, 81177, 81178, 81179, 81180, 81181, 81182, 81183, 81184, 81185, 81186, 81187, 81188, 81189, 81190, 81204, 81233, 81234, 81236, 81237, 81239, 81271, 81274, 81284, 81285, 81286, 81289, 81305, 81306, 81312, 81320, 81329, 81333, 81336, 81337, 81343, 81344, 81345, and 81443. In addition, descriptors were revised for CPT codes 81109, 81162, 81212, 81215, 81216, 81217, 81244, 81287, 81327, and 81334. The effective date of this revision is based on date of service.

01/01/2019: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination and therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this LCD.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
01/01/2018 R8

Revision Number: 3

Publication: December 2017 Connection

LCR A/B2018-001

Explanation of Revision: Annual 2018 HCPCS Update. Descriptor revised for CPT code 81257. In addition, added CPT codes 81105, 81106, 81107, 81108, 81109, 81110, 81111, 81112, 81120, 81121, 81175, 81176, 81230, 81231, 81232, 81238, 81247, 81248, 81249, 81258, 81259, 81269, 81283, 81328, 81334, 81335, 81346, 81361, 81362, 81363, and 81364. The effective date of this revision is based on date of service.

01/01/2018:  At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice.  This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination and therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
01/01/2017 R7 Revision Number: 1 Publication: December 2016 Connection
LCR A/B2017-001

Explanation of Revision: Based on CR 9752 (Annual 2017 HCPCS Update), the LCD was revised to add CPT code 81327 to the “CPT/HCPCS Codes” section of the LCD. Also, CPT codes 81280, 81281, and 81282 were deleted in the “CPT/HCPCS Codes” section of the LCD. The effective date of this revision is based on date of service.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
01/01/2016 R6 Revision Number: 1
Publication: December 2015 Connection
LCR A/B2016-015

Explanation of Revision: Annual 2016 HCPCS Update. Descriptor revised for CPT codes 81210, 81275, and 81355. In addition, added CPT codes 81162, 81170, 81218, 81219, 81272, 81273, 81276, 81311 and 81314. The effective date of this revision is based on date of service.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
10/01/2015 R5 7/20/15 - - The language and/or ICD-10-CM diagnoses were updated to be consistent with the current ICD-9-CM LCD’s language and coding. Type of bill codes inadvertently omitted, corrected.
  • Other (Type of Bill codes added.)
10/01/2015 R4 07/10/15 - - The language and/or ICD-10-CM diagnoses were updated to be consistent with the current ICD-9-CM LCD’s language and coding.
  • Provider Education/Guidance
10/01/2015 R3 4/13/15 - The language and/or ICD-10-CM diagnoses were updated to be consistent with the current ICD-9-CM LCD’s language and coding.
  • Provider Education/Guidance
10/01/2015 R2 8/22/2014 - The language and/or ICD-10-CM diagnoses were updated to be consistent with the current ICD-9-CM LCD’s language and coding.
  • Revisions Due To ICD-10-CM Code Changes
10/01/2015 R1 ICD-10 CM code update.
  • Revisions Due To ICD-10-CM Code Changes
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Associated Documents

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Related National Coverage Documents
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Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
12/03/2021 12/12/2021 - N/A Currently in Effect You are here
Some older versions have been archived. Please visit the MCD Archive Site to retrieve them.

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