Posts Tagged ‘MRI’

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that its blanket of non-coverage for blood flow measurement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology contradicts its policies and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). CMS has eliminated that from the national coverage determination (NCD), effective Sept. 28, and is allowing payers to choose to cover the services.  This will impact four codes in January’s outpatient code editor (OCE).

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Your practice may now be able to get paid for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when used for blood flow measurement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted, Sept. 28, a decision memo stating that “the blanket noncoverage of MRI for blood flow determination at 220.2 is no longer supported by the available evidence.”

CMS says it will remove the phrase “blood flow measurement,” from the Nationally Noncovered Indications at 220.2(C)(2) of the National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual.

Coverage will be considered at the local level. Check with your local Medicare contractor for updated policy provisions.

For more details, go online to the CMS What’s New Report Results page and click on CAG-00399R.

A literature review of comparison studies for medical imaging methods, published in the May/June issue of the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, puts ultrasound at the top of the list for accuracy and cost effectiveness.

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In a May 11 decision memo for screening computed tomography colonography (CTC) for colorectal cancer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that the evidence is inadequate to conclude that CTC is an appropriate colorectal cancer screening test and it remains noncovered.

Medical News Today has more on the story.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory on transdermal drug patches after learning a warning was missing on certain patches containing aluminum or other metals in their non-adhesive backing. Such patches can cause burns if worn while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vasovist® (gadofosveset trisodium), a new injectable contrast imaging agent for use in patients undergoing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

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