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National Coverage Determination (NCD)

FDG PET for Infection and Inflammation

220.6.16

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Tracking Information

Publication Number
100-3
Manual Section Number
220.6.16
Manual Section Title
FDG PET for Infection and Inflammation
Version Number
1
Effective Date of this Version
03/19/2008
Ending Effective Date of this Version
01/01/2021
Implementation Date
07/28/2008
Implementation QR Modifier Date

Description Information

Benefit Category
Diagnostic Tests (other)


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

Item/Service Description

A.      General

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) received a formal, complete request to reconsider the current, de facto non-coverage for FDG PET imaging for the following off-label uses, each in lieu of bone, leukocyte, and/or gallium scintigraphy:

  1. Suspected chronic osteomyelitis in patients with: (a) previously documented osteomyelitis with suspected recurrence, or, (b) symptoms of osteomyelitis for more than 6 weeks (including diabetic foot ulcers),
  2. Investigation of patients with suspected infection of hip prosthesis, and,
  3. Fever of unknown origin in patients with a febrile illness of >3 weeks duration, a temperature of >38.3 degrees Centigrade on at least two occasions, and uncertain diagnosis after a thorough history, physical examination, and one week of proper investigation.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage

B.       Nationally Covered Indications

N/A

C.       Nationally Non-Covered Indications

The CMS is continuing its national non-coverage of FDG PET for the requested indications. Based upon our review, CMS has determined that the evidence is inadequate to conclude that FDG PET for chronic osteomyelitis, infection of hip arthroplasty, and fever of unknown origin improves health outcomes in the Medicare populations, and therefore has determined that FDG PET for chronic osteomyelitis, infection of hip arthroplasty, and fever of unknown origin is not reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act.

D.       Other

The CMS has also determined that the request for coverage is not appropriate for the Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) paradigm.

(This NCD last reviewed March 2008.)
Cross Reference
Claims Processing Instructions

Transmittal Information

Transmittal Number
84
Coverage Transmittal Link
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R84NCD.pdf
Revision History

05/2018 - This Change Request (CR) constitutes a maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions and other coding updates specific to NCDs. These NCD coding changes are the result of newly available codes, coding revisions to NCDs released separately, or coding feedback received.
Previous NCD coding changes appear in ICD-10 quarterly updates that can be found at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/CoverageGenInfo/ICD10.html, along with other CRs implementing new policy NCDs. Edits to ICD-10 and other coding updates specific to NCDs will be included in subsequent quarterly releases and individual CRs as appropriate. No policy-related changes are included with the ICD-10 quarterly updates. (TN 2076) (CR10622)

12/2015 - This change request (CR) is the 3rd maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions/updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs). The majority of the NCDs included are a result of feedback received from previous ICD-10 NCD CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, & CR9087. Some are the result of revisions required to other NCD-related CRs released separately that included ICD-10 coding. Implementation date: 01/04/2016 Effective date: 10/1/2015. (TN 1580 ) (CR9252)

08/2015 - This change request (CR) is the 3rd maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions/updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs). The majority of the NCDs included are a result of feedback received from previous ICD-10 NCD CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, & CR9087. Some are the result of revisions required to other NCD-related CRs released separately that included ICD-10 coding. These updates do not expand, restrict, or alter existing coverage policy. Implementation date: 01/04/2016 Effective date: 10/1/2015. (TN 1537) (CR 9252)

03/2013 - CMS translated the information for this policy from ICD-9-CM/PCS to ICD-10-CM/PCS according to HIPAA standard medical data code set requirements and updated any necessary and related coding infrastructure. These updates do not expand, restrict, or alter existing coverage policy. Implementation date: 10/07/2013 Effective date: 10/1/2015. (TN 1199) (TN 1199) (CR 8197)

06/2008 -CMS reconsidered the current, de facto non-coverage for FDG PET imaging for off-label indications chronic osteomyelitis, infection of hip arthroplasty, and fever of unknown origin, each in lieu of bone, leukocyte, and/or gallium scintigraphy. CMS determines it will continue its national non-coverage policy for FDG PET for the requested indications. Effective date: 03/19/2008 Implementation date: 07/28/2008 (TN 84) (CR6099).
Other

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
FDG PET for Infection and Inflammation - RETIRED 3 04/10/2023 - 01/01/2021 View
FDG PET for Infection and Inflammation 2 01/01/2021 - 01/01/2021 View
FDG PET for Infection and Inflammation 1 03/19/2008 - 01/01/2021 You are here
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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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