Humana Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications - Medicare Advantage Form
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Please refer to CMS website for the most current applicable CMS Online Manual System (IOMs)/National
Coverage Determination (NCD)/ Local Coverage Determination (LCD)/Local Coverage Article (LCA)/
Transmittals.
Type
Title
ID Number
Jurisdiction
Medicare
Administrative
Contractors
(MACs)
Applicable
States/Territories
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
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Pub. 100-02, Medicare Benefit
Policy Manual, Chapter 15 –
Covered Medical and Other
Health Services
§80 -
Requirements
for Diagnostic
X-Ray,
Diagnostic
Laboratory,
and Other
Diagnostic
Tests
Pub. 100-03, Medicare National
Coverage Determinations
(NCD) Manual, Chapter 1, Part
4
§220 -
Radiology
Internet-
Only
Manuals
(IOMs)
Pub. 100-04, Medicare Claims
Processing Manual, Chapter 1
(General Billing Requirements)
& 35 (Independent Diagnostic
Testing Facility [IDTF])
Pub. 100-08, Medicare Program
Integrity Manual, Chapter 3
(Verifying Potential Errors and
Taking Corrective Actions), 10
(Medicare Enrollment) & 13
(Local Coverage Determination)
§30 - Provider
Participation
§10 - General
Coverage and
Payment
Policies
§3.2 -
Overview of
Prepayment
and
Postpayment
Reviews
§10.2.4 - Other
Medicare Part
B Services
§13.2 LCD
Process
NCD
NCD
NCD
PET for Perfusion of the Heart
FDG PET for Myocardial
Viability
FDG PET for Refractory Seizures
220.6.1
220.6.8
220.6.9
NCD
FDG PET for Dementia and
Neurodegenerative Diseases
220.6.13
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
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LCA
LCD
LCA
LCA
LCA
Independent Diagnostic Testing
Facilities- physician supervision
and technician requirements
A54953
Positron Emission Tomography
(PET) Scan for Inflammation
and Infection
L39521
A59318
Billing and Coding: Positron
Emission Tomography Scans
Coverage
Billing and Coding: Positron
Emission Tomography Scans
Coverage
A54666
A54668
L35083
A56423
LCD
LCA
Cardiology Non-emergent
Outpatient Stress Testing
LCD
LCA
Independent Diagnostic Testing
Facility (IDTF)
L35448
A53252
LCA
LCA
Billing and Coding: NCD Coding
Article for Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) Scans Used
for Non-Oncologic Conditions
A53134
Billing and Coding:
Independent Diagnostic Testing
Facilities (IDTF)
A58559
J5 - Wisconsin
Physicians
Service
J8 - Wisconsin
Physicians
Service
Insurance
Corporation
J15 - CGS
Administrators,
LLC (Part A/B
MAC)
JE - Noridian
Healthcare
Solutions, LLC
JF - Noridian
Healthcare
Solutions, LLC
JH - Novitas
Solutions, Inc.
(Part A/B MAC)
JL - Novitas
Solutions, Inc.
(Part A/B MAC)
JH - Novitas
Solutions, Inc.
(Part A/B MAC)
JH - Novitas
Solutions, Inc.
(Part A/B MAC)
JL - Novitas
Solutions, Inc.
(Part A/B MAC)
JJ - Palmetto
GBA (Part A/B
MAC)
IA, KS, MO, NE
IN, MI
KY, OH
CA, HI, NV,
American Samoa,
Guam, Northern
Mariana Islands
AK, AZ, ID, MT,
ND, OR, SD, UT,
WA, WY
AR, CO, NM, OK,
TX, LA, MS
DE, D.C., MD, NJ,
PA
AR, CO, NM, OK,
TX, LA, MS
AR, CO, NM, OK,
TX, LA, MS
DE, D.C., MD, NJ,
PA
AL, GA, TN
NC, SC, VA, WV
LCD
LCA
LCD
LCA
LCD
LCA
LCA
Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging
Independent Diagnostic Testing
Facility (IDTF)
Cardiology Non-emergent
Outpatient Stress Testing
Billing and Coding: NCD Coding
Article for Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) Scans Used
for Non-Oncologic Conditions
L33457
A56476
L33910
A57807
L38396
A56952
A59049
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
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JM - Palmetto
GBA (Part A/B
MAC)
JJ - Palmetto
GBA (Part A/B
MAC)
JN - First Coast
Service Options,
Inc. (Part A/B
MAC)
JN - First Coast
Service Options,
Inc. (Part A/B
MAC)
JN - First Coast
Service Options,
Inc. (Part A/B
MAC)
AL, GA, TN
FL, PR, U.S. VI
FL, PR, U.S. VI
FL, PR, U.S. VI
Description
Fusion imaging combines two different imaging scans to create a more detailed picture for screening or
diagnosis than either individual scan. The following are examples of fusion imaging for noncancer
indications:
Positron emission tomography with concurrent computed tomography (PET/CT) – PET assesses the
function of tissues and organs by monitoring the metabolic or biochemical activity while tracking the
movement and concentration of a radioactive contrast agent. The technique uses special computerized
imaging equipment and rings of detectors surrounding the individual to record gamma radiation produced
when positrons (positively charged particles) emitted by the radioactive agent collide with electrons. CT
combines digital computing with a rotating x-ray device to generate detailed cross-sectional pictures of the
imaged body area. Integrated PET/CT imaging is a technique in which both PET and CT are performed
during a single visit on a hybrid PET/CT scanner (eg, Biograph mCT). The CT and PET images are then co-
registered using fusion software, enabling the physiologic data obtained on PET to be localized according to
the anatomic CT images. When PET/CT is performed, a low radiation dose CT without contrast is typically
used to keep the radiation dose as low as possible and to limit adverse events. A higher resolution CT
requires a higher dose of radiation and intravenous (IV) contrast.
PET/CT is used in myocardial viability or myocardial perfusion studies to determine problems in the heart
such as reduced blood flow or ineffective heart muscle activity. During cardiac testing, the CT provides
attenuation correction which clarifies certain small errors in the image. Absolute quantitation of
myocardial blood flow is an adjunct to PET myocardial perfusion imaging that aids in analyzing coronary
artery disease.
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
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Neurological uses for PET/CT scanning include evaluation of seizure activity prior to surgery. It is also
proposed for diagnosing and distinguishing between Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography (MRI/CT) – MRI uses nuclear magnetic resonance to
detect atomic nuclei or electron particle energy absorption when exposed to electromagnetic radiation. The
images produced are used to diagnose disorders of body structures (eg, soft tissues) that are not easily
visualized on standard x-rays. Fusing MRI with CT generates detailed cross-sectional images of the targeted
body areas.
PET/MRI – PET/MRI combines PET functional imaging simultaneously with MRI soft-tissue morphological
imaging to reportedly produce enhanced image quality with a reduced radiation dose and prevention of
fusion software image mismatch. A PET/MRI using a hybrid imaging system is suggested for imaging
anatomical, biochemical and functional characteristics of disease. The Biograph mMR is an example of a
PET/MRI device.
High-definition 3D volumetric imaging (HDVI) – See Factor CT3 is a platform that uses HDVI CT, fluoroscopy
and digital radiography. It is proposed for diagnostic, interventional and intraoperative imaging of the head,
neck, upper spine, upper and lower extremities.
Single-photon emission computed tomography with concurrently acquired MRI (SPECT/MRI) –
Simultaneous SPECT and MRI images are fused by software which is suggested to provide improved views
of anatomical structures.
Coverage Determination
Humana follows the CMS requirements that only allows coverage and payment for services that are
reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning
of a malformed body member except as specifically allowed by Medicare.
Please refer to the above CMS guidance for fusion imaging for noncancer indications.
In interpreting or supplementing the criteria above and in order to determine medical necessity consistently,
Humana may consider the following criteria.
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
The use of the criteria in this Medicare Advantage Medical Coverage Policy provides clinical benefits highly
likely to outweigh any clinical harms. Services that do not meet the criteria above are not medically
necessary and thus do not provide a clinical benefit. Medically unnecessary services carry risks of adverse
outcomes and may interfere with the pursuit of other treatments which have demonstrated efficacy.
Coverage Limitations
US Government Publishing Office. Electronic code of federal regulations: part 411 – 42 CFR § 411.15 -
Particular services excluded from coverage
Fusion Imaging for Noncancer Indications
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