RETIRED Local Coverage Determination (LCD)

Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF)

L35448

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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.
Retired

Document Note

Note History

Contractor Information

LCD Information

Document Information

Source LCD ID
N/A
LCD ID
L35448
Original ICD-9 LCD ID
Not Applicable
LCD Title
Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF)
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 05/13/2021
Revision Ending Date
04/04/2024
Retirement Date
04/04/2024
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

This LCD supplements but does not replace, modify or supersede existing Medicare applicable National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) or payment policy rules and regulations for independent diagnostic testing facilities. 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 independent diagnostic testing facilities 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:

IOM Citations:

  • CMS IOM Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Sections 60 and 80
  • CMS IOM Publication 100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual,
    • Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 20.25
    • Chapter 1, Part 4, Section 240.4
  • CMS IOM Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual,
    • Chapter 1, Sections 10 and 30.2
    • Chapter 35
  • CMS IOM Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual,
    • Chapter 3, Section 3.2.3.3
    • Chapter 10, Section 10.2.2, I
    • Chapter 13, Section 13.5.4

Social Security Act (Title XVIII) Standard References:

  • Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A) states that no Medicare payment shall 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:

  • CFR, Title 42, Chapter IV, Subchapter B, Part 410, Subpart B,
    • Section 410.32 Diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests: Conditions.
    • Section 410.33 Independent diagnostic testing facility.

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity

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

History/Background and/or General Information

An Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF) is an entity independent of a hospital or physician’s office in which diagnostic tests are performed. It was created by regulation (42 CFR §410.33) as published in the Federal Register, Vol. 62, number 211, October 31, 1997. Please refer to CMS IOM Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 35, Section 10, for General Coverage Payment Policies.

This local coverage determination (LCD) addresses the structure, approved services, and credentialing requirements for an IDTF. Diagnostic testing performed in an IDTF must follow the supervision and credentialing guidelines set forth in this LCD and in the companion Local Coverage Article, A53252, Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF). All enrolling IDTFs must meet the supervising physician qualification/proficiency requirements and technician qualification requirements at the time of their enrollment. See Local Coverage Article, A53252 IDTF, for complete credentialing information.

IDTF regulations in this LCD do not apply to approved portable x-ray suppliers or to procedures (e.g., pathology and laboratory) furnished in a physician’s office, group practices, multi-specialty clinics or groups.

Required Characteristics of an IDTF:

Please refer to 42 CFR §410.33 for additional information on IDTF requirements.

  • *Performs only diagnostic tests by licensed, certified non-physician personnel under appropriate physician supervision;
  • The sole purpose is to furnish diagnostic testing;
  • Is not engaged in any form of patient treatment; and
  • Is properly enrolled with Medicare as an IDTF and approved for the specific tests to be provided.

*Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 13, Section 13.5.4 Reasonable and Necessary Provisions in LCDs for information regarding services ordered and furnished by qualified personnel. Services will be considered medically reasonable and necessary only if performed by appropriately trained providers.

Coverage

  • Medicare will cover diagnostic tests performed by an IDTF when the procedures are medically necessary and the criteria in this LCD are met. The procedures in this document are also subject to applicable National and Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs).
  • IDTFs are required to report the exact CPT/HCPCS codes/procedures they intend to perform when enrolling with the CMS-855B form. If an IDTF which is already enrolled wants to perform additional CPT or HCPCS code tests that were not originally specified on its CMS-855B and that are for procedure types and supervision levels similar to its previously allowed codes, the contractor shall have the IDTF amend its CMS-855B to add the additional codes and equipment listing. A new site visit is not required. However, if the enrolled IDTF will be performing CPT or HCPCS codes for different types of procedures, or with different supervision levels, a new site visit is required. Claims submitted with procedure codes not reported on the CMS-855B form and reviewed by the contractor will be denied.
  • By definition, therapeutic procedures and interventions are not allowed to be performed by an IDTF. Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities may not perform therapeutic, intra-operative or ablation procedures. Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-04, Chapter 35, Section 50 Therapeutic Procedures.
  • IDTFs are not an extension of any outpatient facility and should not perform procedures such as removal of foreign body from the esophagus, placement of gastrointestinal tubes, dilatation of strictures, pain management or trans-catheter therapies, to name a few. Therefore, any physician services and/or surgical procedures best provided in acute care facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, or a physician office are not included in the CPT/HCPCS codes for IDTFs.
  • Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-04, Chapter 35, Section 30 for information regarding diagnostic tests subject to the anti-markup payment limitation.
  • Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-04, Chapter 1, §10 for more information regarding claims filing jurisdiction.

 Additional Services/Supplies

  • Additional services/items (e.g., radiopharmaceutical agents, special contrast agents, medications, etc.) related to, or generally considered required for, performing a diagnostic test are also payable to an IDTF if they are commonly separately reimbursed to a physician in a physician’s office setting. Please refer to Local Coverage Article, A53252 IDTF, for covered additional services.
  • An IDTF can bill these practitioner services when they are performed by a qualified practitioner in accordance with coverage, payment and general billing rules, and in accordance with the reassignment of benefit and purchased test rules.
  • These additional services/items which are necessary for the performance of specific diagnostic tests may be billed by an IDTF if approval is granted by the contractor for the IDTF to bill for the specific test(s) that require such items/services. For example, some procedures require an injection of a joint for arthrography and would be allowed if the procedure is integral to the diagnostic test the IDTF is permitted to perform.
  • However, an IDTF is not allowed to bill for surgical procedures that are clearly not related to, or required for a diagnostic test.
  • At the time that the IDTF requests contractor approval to perform the tests, the IDTF must identify all such items/services that it intends to bill in conjunction with specific tests.
  • Each IDTF will have a specific and unique list of CPT/HCPCS codes for which it can be paid by the contractor, and it is the responsibility of the IDTF to obtain specific contractor approval to bill each CPT/HCPCS code that it intends to bill.

 Ordering of Tests

  • For information regarding ordering of tests performed by an IDTF, please refer to the following:
    • CMS IOM Pub. 100-04, Chapter 35, Section 20
    • 42 CFR §410.33
    • 42 CFR §410.32
  • Although all procedures performed by the IDTF must be specifically ordered in writing by the practitioner treating the beneficiary as described in the above regulations, the mere fact that the test(s) were properly ordered does not reflect or imply Medicare coverage for these services. Medical necessity must be apparent and statutory exclusions, national and local coverage determinations (LCDs) apply.
  • As noted in the regulations referenced above, the results of any diagnostic test performed by the IDTF must actually be used in the management of the beneficiary’s specific medical problem. If a beneficiary’s medical care will not be significantly altered by the results of a test performed by an IDTF, even if properly ordered, it will not be paid.
  • Similarly, any test performed by an IDTF must be in an appropriate place of service.
  • Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 80.6 Requirements for Ordering and Following Orders for Diagnostic Tests for information on acceptable forms of communication for an order.
    • An IDTF may perform the service based on the verbal order of the treating physician; however, the IDTF must obtain an order that is written, dated, and signed by the treating physician before a claim is submitted for the service. In any case, it is expected that a hard copy of the physician’s order be available to Medicare upon request.

Multi-State Entities

  • For information regarding multi-state entities for an IDTF that operates across State Boundaries, please refer to the following:
    • 42 CFR §410.33
    • CMS IOM Pub. 100-04, Chapter 1, Section 10.1.1, Part A. Multiple Offices and/or Part B. Service Provided at a Place of Service Other than Home or Office
  • Note that an IDTF must enroll with the Contractor that has jurisdiction in the area where the beneficiary will receive the technical services of the procedure.

Physician Supervision

Please refer to 42 CFR §410.33 for information regarding physician supervision requirements for furnishing the technical component of diagnostic tests for Medicare beneficiaries who are not a hospital inpatient or outpatient.

Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 80 and 42 CFR §410.32(b) for supervision requirements of diagnostic tests including reference to SSA 1861(r) for the definition of physician. 

Exceptions:

Please refer to 42 CFR §410.33 for exceptions for diagnostic tests, payable under the Physician Fee Schedule, that are not required to be furnished in accordance with the ordering and supervising requirements.

An IDTF must have one or more supervising physicians who are responsible for the direct and ongoing oversight of the quality of the testing performed, the proper operation and calibration of the equipment used to perform tests and the qualifications of non-physician personnel who use the equipment.

Not every supervising physician has to be responsible for all these functions. These responsibilities may be divided among the supervising physicians. For example, one supervising physician may be responsible only for the operation and calibration of the equipment, while other supervising physicians are responsible for test supervision and/or the qualifications of the non-physician personnel. 

Consistent with the supervising physician proficiency requirements in 42 CFR § 410.33, Novitas requires the supervising physician to meet the qualification requirements as listed in the Local Coverage Article, A53252, IDTF.

Please refer to CMS IOM Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 80 for the definitions of General, Direct, and Personal supervision.

For additional information specific to IDTF and supervision requirements, please refer to 42 CFR §410.33.

General Supervision - There is no physical distance limitation between where the test is performed and where the supervisory physician is located. When a remote supervisory physician is responsible for general supervision of the IDTF, written documentation indicating how he/she has fulfilled the requirements of general supervision must be made available upon request.

*Note: The minimal level of physician supervision, which applies to ALL diagnostic tests, with the exceptions cited above, is “general supervision”. 

The basic requirement is that all the supervising functions be properly met at each location, regardless of the number of physicians involved. This is particularly applicable to mobile IDTF units that are allowed to use different supervising physicians at different locations. A different physician may supervise the test at each location. The supervising physicians only have to meet the proficiency standards for the tests they are supervising.

Supervising physicians do not have to be employees of the IDTF. They may be contracted physicians for each location served by the IDTF.

The level of physician supervision required for diagnostic procedures can be found in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB). 

Non-Physician Personnel

Please refer to the following regulations regarding non-physician personnel.

  • 42 CFR §410.33
  • CMS IOM Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, Sections 80.2, 80.3, 190

It is expected that non-physician personnel must maintain an active status in order for the diagnostic tests to be covered. The only exception to this is when a Medicare payable diagnostic test is not subject to State license or certification of the technician performing the test, and no generally accepted national credentialing body exists. In that instance, the technician should be listed and the IDTF should submit as an attachment any education/credentialing and/or experience that the person has.

The contractor does not establish a credentialing service but the contractor is authorized to determine which organizations it recognizes. For example, the use of the word “national” in the organization’s name does not, in itself, meet Medicare standards for national credentialing. 

The supervising physician and non-physician personnel credentialing requirements are listed in Local Coverage Article, A53252, IDTF.

The IDTF technicians do not have to be employees of the IDTF. They can be contracted by the IDTF. All enrolling IDTFs must meet the applicable technician licensure, certification or credentialing requirements at the time of their enrollment.

Note: For all credentialed technologists, licensed personnel and personnel in which no credentialing or licensing board is available, it is a requirement that the individual demonstrate proficiency in the service one is performing. This must be documented and verified by the supervising physician.

Requirements for Cardiac Catheterization Procedures Performed in an IDTF:

CMS repealed section 20.25, titled Cardiac Catheterization in Other than a Hospital Setting, of publication 100-03 (Medicare National Coverage Determinations [NCD] Manual). Therefore, determinations of coverage for cardiac catheterization when performed outside the hospital setting are at the discretion of the local Medicare Contractor through their local coverage determinations (LCDs). The original language from section 20.25 of publication 100-03 required that Medicare Contractors, in consultation with the Peer Review Organizations (PROs), renamed Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), review freestanding Cardiac Catheterization facilities to determine that procedures can be performed safely. This function of the QIOs is no longer in their scope of work as their focus has shifted to include other functions. It is now at the contractor’s discretion through LCDs to make decisions regarding the coverage of Cardiac Catheterization in freestanding facilities (CMS Change Request 4280, dated 01/27/06).

Novitas will consider a diagnostic cardiac catheterization performed in an IDTF as medically reasonable and necessary when all the following criteria are met:

  • Performed by a *qualified physician as defined below; AND
  • Performed with the assistance of a cardiology technologist credentialed as follows:
    • Credentialed by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) as a Cardiac-Interventional Radiographer (ARRT: CI); OR
    • Credentialed by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (CCI: RCIS); AND
  • Performed with the assistance of a Registered Nurse (RN) with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification; OR
  • Performed in an IDTF accredited by an **approved accreditation organization as a cardiac catheterization lab.

*Training Requirements for Physicians Performing Cardiac Catheterizations in an IDTF:

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have issued joint guidelines on training in cardiac catheterization and interventional cardiology. Providers who perform diagnostic catheterization services in an IDTF setting must have a minimum of Level II training as outlined by the ACC/AHA Task Force 10.

** Accepted Accreditation Organizations for Cardiac Catheterization Labs:

  • Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (Now known as the Joint Commission)
  • Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

This procedure must always be performed under personal physician supervision, which means the physician must be present in the room while the entire cardiac catheterization is being performed. The IDTF must have a formal relationship with a tertiary hospital for the emergency transfer of patients, have equipment for intubation and ventilatory support, and have quality assurance and quality improvement programs in place. In addition, the physicians must be able to perform endotracheal intubations and insert an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Select cardiac catheterization procedure codes and the supervising physician and technician qualification requirements as stated above may be found in Local Coverage Article, A53252, IDTF.

Limitations:

Left heart catheterization performed using transapical puncture or transseptal puncture through intact septum is not considered safe when performed in an independent diagnostic testing facility setting and therefore, is not covered.

Patients having a cardiac catheterization performed in an IDTF must be in stable condition and at the lowest risk for complications. Higher risk patients include those with recent myocardial infarction (MI) with post-infarction ischemia, class IV cardiac disease, refractory unstable angina, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure, among others.

As a reminder, Medicare may reimburse IDTFs only for procedure codes for which they are approved, based on equipment and personnel requirements, IDTFs are required to submit a list of all procedure codes performed by the facility to Medicare Provider Enrollment. The codes and equipment should be listed on Attachment 2, Section 1 of Enrollment Application Form CMS-855B.

This LCD and companion Article A53252, IDTF (including physician supervision requirements and technician requirements) will be updated when new CPT codes are released or with a valid reconsideration to this LCD. The reconsideration process can be found on the Medical Policy page on the Novitas website. It is the requirement of the provider to be aware of changes as their profile in Provider Enrollment may change and an application for new procedure codes will be required.

NOTE: IDTFs who have been given procedure privileges in the past but not included in the article will have their profile updated against the new list included in the article when requesting addition of procedures.

Notice: Services performed for any given diagnosis must meet all of the indications and limitations stated in this LCD, the general requirements for medical necessity as stated in CMS payment policy manuals, any and all existing CMS national coverage determinations, and all Medicare payment rules.

Summary of Evidence

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Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

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Proposed Process Information

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Associated Information
Sources of Information
Bibliography
Open Meetings
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Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
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MAC Meeting Information URLs
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Proposed LCD Posting Date
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Comment Period End Date
Reason for Proposed LCD
Requestor Information
This request was MAC initiated.
Requestor Name Requestor Letter
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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

Group 1

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

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Additional ICD-10 Information

General Information

Associated Information


Please refer to the Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF), A53252, for all coding information as applicable.

Documentation Requirements

  1. All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record and made available to the contractor upon request.
  2. Every page of the record must be legible and include appropriate patient identification information (e.g., complete name, dates of service[s]). The documentation must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care to the patient.
  3. The medical record documentation must support the medical necessity of the services as stated in this policy.
  4. Medical record documentation maintained by the IDTF must include the information listed below and be available to Medicare upon request:
    1. Written order from the treating physician
    2. Hard copy documentation of the test results and interpretation; and
    3. The medical necessity (reason) for performing the diagnostic test(s).
  5. Documentation may be requested from the billing provider of the diagnostic test. If such documentation is insufficient to establish the medical necessity of the diagnostic test, contractors may, but are not required to, request documentation from a third party (the ordering or treating provider). In the event the third party request is ignored or is insufficient to establish the medical necessity of the diagnostic test, coverage will be denied.
  6. The IDTF must maintain documentation to demonstrate the required physician supervision requirements were met. Also, the IDTF must maintain documentation of sufficient physician resources during all hours of operations to assure that the required physician supervision is furnished.
  7. Multi-state entities must maintain evidence that supervising physicians are licensed to practice in the state(s) where the diagnostic tests are performed and the technicians performing the diagnostic test(s) are credentialed appropriately in each state in which services are performed in accordance with requirements outlined in this LCD.
  8. Documentation maintained by the IDTF must support that the personnel performing the diagnostic test(s) have the training and proficiency as evidenced by current licensure or certification as outlined in this LCD. This documentation must contain verification by the supervising physician(s).

Utilization Guidelines

In accordance with CMS Ruling 95-1(V), utilization of these services should be consistent with locally acceptable standards of practice.

It is expected that these services would be performed as indicated by current medical literature and/or standards of practice. When services are performed in excess of established parameters, they may be subject to review for medical necessity.

Sources of Information

Contractor is not responsible for the continued viability of websites listed.

American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AAET)

American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for Coronary Angiography: Executive Summary and Recommendations. (1999). A report of the ACC/AHA task force on practice guidelines (committee on coronary angiography). Developed in collaboration with the society for cardiac angiography and interventions. Circulation. 1999; 2345-2357.

American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT)

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

Bashore T, Bates E, Berger P, et al. Cardiac catheterization laboratory standards: a report of the American college of cardiology task force on clinical expert consensus documents (ACC/SCA&I committee to develop an expert consensus document on catheterization laboratory standards. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001; 37(8): 2170-2214.

Benton SM Jr, Tesche C, De Cecco CN, et al. Noninvasive Derivation of Fractional Flow Reserve From Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography: A Review. J Thorac Imaging. 2018 Mar;33(2):88-96.

The Board of Certification of the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society

Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

Danad I, Szymonifka J, Twisk JWR, et al. Diagnostic performance of cardiac imaging methods to diagnose ischaemia-causing coronary artery disease when directly compared with fractional flow reserve as a reference standard: a meta-analysis. Eur Heart J. 2017 Apr 1;38(13):991-998.

De Bruyne B, Fearon WF, Pijls NH, et al. Fractional flow reserve-guided PCI for stable coronary artery disease. N Engl J Med. 2014 Sep 25;371(13):1208-17.

Douglas PS, De Bruyne B, Pontone G, et al. 1-Year Outcomes of FFRCT-Guided Care in Patients With Suspected Coronary Disease: The PLATFORM Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016 Aug 2;68(5):435-445.

Douglas PS, Pontone G, Hlatky MA, et al. Clinical outcomes of fractional flow reserve by computed tomographic angiography-guided diagnostic strategies vs. usual care in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: the prospective longitudinal trial of FFR(CT): outcome and resource impacts study. Eur Heart J. 2015 Dec 14;36(47):3359-67.

Hlatky MA, De Bruyne B, Pontone G, et al. Quality-of-Life and Economic Outcomes of Assessing Fractional Flow Reserve With Computed Tomography Angiography: PLATFORM. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Dec 1;66(21):2315-2323.

Hulten EA, Carbonaro S, Petrillo SP, et al. Prognostic value of cardiac computed tomography angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011 Mar 8;57(10):1237-47.

Jensen JM, Bøtker HE, Mathiassen ON, et al. Computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve testing in stable patients with typical angina pectoris: influence on downstream rate of invasive coronary angiography. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2018 Apr 1;19(4):405-414.

Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

King SB 3rd, Babb JD, Bates ER, et al. COCATS 4 Task Force 10: Training in Cardiac Catheterization.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 May 5;65(17):1844-53.

Koo BK, Erglis A, Doh JH, et al. Diagnosis of ischemia-causing coronary stenoses by noninvasive fractional flow reserve computed from coronary computed tomographic angiograms. Results from the prospective multicenter DISCOVER-FLOW (Diagnosis of Ischemia-Causing Stenoses Obtained Via Noninvasive Fractional Flow Reserve) study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011 Nov 1;58(19):1989-97.

Min JK, Leipsic J, Pencina MJ, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of fractional flow reserve from anatomic CT angiography. JAMA. 2012 Sep 26;308(12):1237-45.

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Chest Pain of Recent Onset: Assessment and Diagnosis. Clinical Guideline [CG95]. Published date: March 2010. Last updated: November 2016. http://nice.org.uk/guidance/cg95

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). HeartFlow FFRCT for estimating fractional flow reserve from coronary CT angiography. Medical technologies guidance. Published: 13 February 2017. http://nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg32

Nørgaard BL, Gormsen LC, Bøtker HE, et al. Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Versus Computed Tomography Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve Testing in Stable Patients With Intermediate-Range Coronary Lesions: Influence on Downstream Diagnostic Workflows and Invasive Angiography Findings. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Aug 22;6(8).

Nørgaard BL, Hjort J, Gaur S, et al. Clinical Use of Coronary CTA-Derived FFR for Decision-Making in Stable CAD. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2017 May;10(5):541-550.

Nørgaard BL, Jensen JM, Leipsic J. Fractional flow reserve derived from coronary CT angiography in stable coronary disease: a new standard in non-invasive testing? Eur Radiol. 2015 Aug;25(8):2282-90.

Nørgaard BL, Leipsic J, Gaur S, et al. Diagnostic performance of noninvasive fractional flow reserve derived from coronary computed tomography angiography in suspected coronary artery disease: the NXT trial (Analysis of Coronary Blood Flow Using CT Angiography: Next Steps). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014 Apr 1;63(12):1145-1155.

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

Patel MR, Calhoon JH, Dehmer GJ, et al. ACC/AATS/AHA/ASE/ASNC/SCAI/SCCT/STS 2017 Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Revascularization in Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 May 2;69(17):2212-2241.

Patel MR, Peterson ED, Dai D, et al. Low diagnostic yield of elective coronary angiography. N Engl J Med. 2010 Mar 11;362(10):886-95.

Pepine C, Babb J, Briner J, et al. 2008. Task Force 3: Training in Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology. www.acc.org

Tonino PA, De Bruyne B, Pijls NH, et al. Fractional flow reserve versus angiography for guiding percutaneous coronary intervention. N Engl J Med. 2009 Jan 15;360(3):213-24.

Other Contractor Policies

Contractor Medical Directors

Bibliography

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Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation Reasons for Change
04/12/2024 R18

This LCD has been retired. Please refer to the Billing and Coding Article A53252 for billing and coding guidance.

  • LCD Being Retired
05/13/2021 R17

LCD revised and published on 05/13/2021 to update the IOM 100-08, Chapter 15, Section 15.5.19 to Chapter 10, Section 10.2.2, I, per CMS Change Requests 11700 and 11917. Minor formatting changes made throughout.

  • Other (CMS Change Requests 11700 and 11917)
09/26/2019 R16

LCD revised and updated 09/26/2019 to completely remove the Coding information section from this LCD per CMS Change Request 10901. Please see the related Billing and Coding Article A53252 for all codes and information related to coding and billing. The following has been removed from the Documentation Requirements: The submitted medical record must support the use of the selected ICD-10-CM code(s). The submitted CPT/HCPCS code must describe the service performed.

  • Other (CMS Change Request 10901)
01/01/2019 R15

LCD revised and published on 02/28/2019. All CPT/HCPCS codes have been removed from the LCD and placed in Local Coverage Article, A53252, IDTF per CMS Change Request 10901. There has been no change in content to the LCD.

  • Other (CMS Requirement)
01/01/2019 R14

LCD revised and published on 02/14/2019 effective for dates of service on and after 01/01/2019 to reflect the annual CPT/HCPCS code updates. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been added to the LCD: 27369, 76978, 76979, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77049, 92273, 92274, 0509T, 96112, 96113, 96121, 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133, 96136, and 96137. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been deleted and therefore removed from the LCD: 27370, 76001, 77058, 77059, 78270, 78271, 78272, 92275, 96101, 96102, 96103, 96111, 96118, 96119, 96120, and 0159T. For the following CPT/HCPCS code(s) either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: 77021, 93279, 93285, 93286, 93288, 93290, 93291, 93294, 93296, 93297, 93298, 93299, and 96116.

Per CR 10901, national policy language found in statute, regulations, ruling, and interpretive manual instructions has been removed from this LCD. These citations have been replaced with applicable references within the LCD.

Group 1 CPT codes that were previously listed in a ranged format are now listed individually. Added hyperlinks to related National Coverage Documents NCD 20.25 and NCD 240.4.

  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
  • Other (Clarification)
07/12/2018 R13

LCD revised and published on 07/12/2018. Added multiple sources to the “sources of information” section submitted with a reconsideration request to add CPT Category III code 0503T. No content change was made to the LCD in response to this request.

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; therefore, not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Reconsideration Request
06/14/2018 R12

LCD revised and published on 06/14/2018 to reflect updates per LCD annual review. The references in the “CMS National Coverage Policy” section have been updated.  Added “only as designated on the CMS audiology code list” to the bullet for diagnostic tests personally furnished by a qualified audiologist under “Exceptions” listed under the “Physician Supervision” requirements. Updated the reference to Task Force 3 guidelines to Task Force 10 guidelines from 2015 under “Training Requirements for Physicians Performing Cardiac Catheterizations in an IDTF” and added the source for the guideline to the “Sources of Information”.

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; therefore, not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Other (LCD Annual Review)
01/01/2018 R11

LCD revised and published on 01/25/2018 effective for dates of service on and after 01/01/2018 to reflect the annual CPT/HCPCS code updates.

The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been added to the Group 1 codes: 71045, 71046, 71047, 71048, 74018, 74019, 74021, 77065, 77066, 77067, 93792, 94617, and 94618. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been deleted and therefore removed from the LCD: 71010, 71015, 71020, 71021, 71022, 71023, 71030, 71034, 71035, 74000, 74010, 74020, 75658, 78190, 94620, G0202, G0204, and G0206. For the following CPT/HCPCS code(s) either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: G0279, 76000, 76881, 76882, 94621, and 95930.

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; therefore, not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.

  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
07/01/2017 R10

LCD revised and published on 08/10/2017 effective for dates of service on and after 07/01/2017 to reflect CPT/HCPCS code updates.For the following CPT/HCPCS code(s) either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: 76098.

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
04/13/2017 R9 LCD revised and published on 04/13/2017. The following CPT code has been added to the Group 1 codes: 51610. To reflect the Quarter 1 CPT/HCPCS update, for the following CPT code either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: 92602. Updated the CMS IOM references and added information to the coverage section pertaining to anti-markup reporting requirements per IOM 100-4, Chapter 35, Section 30.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
  • Other (Inquiry
    Clarification )
01/01/2017 R8 LCD revised and published on 01/12/2017 effective for dates of service on and after 01/01/2017 to reflect the annual CPT/HCPCS code updates. The following CPT/HCPCS codes have been added to the Group 1 codes: 76706 and 92242. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been deleted and therefore removed from the LCD: G0389, 75791, 77051, 77052, 77055, 77056, 77057, and 93965. Please note that deleted CPT codes 77051, 77052, 77055, 77056 and 77057 were included in the CPT code range 77051-77059. Therefore, these codes have been removed from the range. For the following CPT/HCPCS code(s) either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: G0202, G0204, G0206, 77002, 77003, 92083, 92235, 92240, 94060, and 0295T.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
07/14/2016 R7 LCD revised and published on 07/14/2016 effective for dates of service on and after 07/14/2016 to add CPT code 95806 to the Group 1 codes.
  • Other (Inquiry)
05/12/2016 R6 LCD revised and published on 05/12/2016 effective for dates of service on and after 05/12/2016 to add the following CPT codes to the Group 1 codes: 0295T, 0296T, and 0298T. Added hyperlink to related Article A53252 IDTF.
  • Other (Inquiry;
    Clarification )
01/01/2016 R5 LCD revised and published on 01/28/2016 effective for dates of service on and after 01/01/2016 to reflect the annual CPT/HCPCS code updates. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been added to Group 1 codes: 72081, 72082, 72083, 72084, 73501, 73502, 73503, 73521, 73522, 73523, 73551, 73552, 78265, 78266, 92537, and 92538. The following CPT/HCPCS code(s) have been deleted and therefore removed from the LCD: 50394, 70373, 72010, 72069, 72090, 73500, 73510, 73520, 73530, 73540, 73550, 74305, 74320, 74327, and 92543. For the following CPT/HCPCS code(s) either the short description and/or the long description has been changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document: 94060, 72080, 74241, 77417, and 78264. In response to a reconsideration request, effective for dates of service on and after 10/01/2015, the following CPT codes have been added to Group 1 codes: 62302, 62303, 62304, and 62305.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
  • Reconsideration Request
10/01/2015 R4 LCD revised and published on 12/10/2015 to add the word "general" clarifying that under 42 CFR § 410.33(b)(1), each supervising physician must be limited to providing general supervision to no more than three IDTF sites.
  • Other (Clarification )
10/01/2015 R3 For the following CPT/HCPCS codes either the short description and/or the long description was changed. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document:
G0279 descriptor was changed in Group 1
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
10/01/2015 R2 LCD revised and published on 01/23/2015 effective for dates of service on and after 10/01/2015 to reflect the annual CPT/HCPCS code updates. CPT/HCPCS codes 74291, 76645 and 77082 have been deleted and therefore removed from the LCD. CPT/HCPCS codes 76641, 76642, 77063, 77085, 77086, 93260, 93261 and G0279 have been added to the CPT/HCPCS code group. Either the short description and/or the long description was changed for CPT/HCPCS codes 27370, 62284, 74290, 93282, 93283, 93284, 93287, 93289, 93295, 93296, 96110, G0204 and G0206. Depending on which description is used in this LCD, there may not be any change in how the code displays in the document.
  • Revisions Due To CPT/HCPCS Code Changes
10/01/2015 R1 LCD revised and published 11/14/2014 effective for dates of service on or after 10/01/2015 to provide reference to the companion article (A53252) for information regarding covered additional services. Standard documentation requirements inserted. Reasonable and necessary language from the Internet-Only Manual (IOM) inserted.
  • Provider Education/Guidance
N/A

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Updated On Effective Dates Status
04/12/2024 05/13/2021 - 04/04/2024 Retired You are here
05/07/2021 05/13/2021 - N/A Superseded View
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