We frequently update our articles to reflect the latest changes and updates to Medicare, and strongly recommend you visit this article at link below to confirm you have the latest version.
Published Date:07/09/2019
Printed Date: 9/22/2015
URL: http://palmgba.com/marlowe/redesign6/article.html
Medicare is a defined benefit program. In order to be considered for Medicare coverage, an item or service must fall within a statutory benefit category. Although IOM 100-2, Ch. 15, Sec 10 identifies “Diagnostic X-Ray tests, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests” as a benefit category, Sec. 1862 (1)(A) Statutory Exclusion “except for items and services that are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member” must also be applied. In order to be paid under this benefit category, a diagnostic test must be ordered by a physician who is treating the beneficiary and the results used in the management of a beneficiary’s specific medical problem. Although many molecular diagnostic tests may provide valid and useful information, they do not meet this definition.
Does the test fall within a Medicare benefit category? Based on the Medicare Benefit requirements, the following test types are examples of services that may not be considered a benefit (statutory excluded) and therefore would be denied as Medicare Excluded tests:
MolDX reviews test registration applications and technical assessments (TA) to confirm that each test meets Medicare reasonable and necessary criteria. Covered tests reviewed through the TA process are identified in the Molecular Diagnostic Test policy found in the LCD section. Coding and Billing guidelines are available to facilitate reimbursement.
MolDX Coding and Billing Guidelines for excluded and covered tests can be viewed by accessing the Medicare Coverage Database.
We value your opinion and want to provide the highest-quality and most relevant Medicare knowledge possible. Please let us know if this article was helpful.
It didn't answer my question This article was helpful
We’re glad we could help you today and appreciate your feedback. When you rate our articles as most helpful, we know that we are on the right track for providing you with important news and information.
We're sorry this article didn't help you today. We'll use your feedback to review this article try to revise or expand it. In the meantime we recommend you:
Last Updated: 3/01/2021
Applies to: MolDx
Article Topics: Appeals, Redeterminations, and PTANs