October 02, 2024

MACs Continue to Issue Local Coverage Determinations Expanding Access to CT Perfusion Analysis

Ongoing engagement by the 新澳门六合彩官网® (新澳门六合彩官网®)’s Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) network with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) is resulting in expanded access to CT Perfusion (CTP) Analysis (CPT code 0042T). Physicians will now be reimbursed for CT Perfusion studies that include signs and symptoms for stroke patients even without positive findings.

As the College previously reported, MACs consistently denied coverage for CTP in cases where patients present with stroke-like symptoms but are later found to be negative for CT perfusion abnormalities consistent with a large vessel occlusion on imaging. This all changed when Palmetto GBA updated its effective June 2024. Currently, three of out seven MAC jurisdictions allow coverage, and 新澳门六合彩官网 is working to expand these revisions from coast to coast.

MACs expanded coverage now includes Wisconsin Physicians Service Government Health Administrators (WPS) and National Government Services, Inc. (NGS) Medicare jurisdictions.

WPS released its updated to reflect the addition of many of the requested codes, effective Aug. 29. This policy is effective within jurisdictions servicing Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana and Michigan.

NGS released its updated to reflect the addition of many of the requested ICD-10 CM codes for 0042T, effective Sept.15. This policy is effective within NGS's jurisdictions servicing Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Efforts continue to petition other MACs to make changes to their policies to reflect the inclusion of these diagnosis codes. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC is currently considering the adoption of diagnosis codes presented by the CAC representatives. Providers should monitor all local coverage determination policies and updates using the ; these policies ensure radiologists are appropriately reimbursed for medically reasonable and necessary services provided to Medicare patients.

If you have questions or want more information about local coverage policies and activities, visit the 新澳门六合彩官网 CAC website, or contact Alicia Blakey, 新澳门六合彩官网 Principal Economic Analyst.