42 CFR Part 410 · GlobalLawDB

Subpart A · Subpart A—General Provisions

410.1Basis and scope.#

(a)Statutory basis. This part is based on the indicated provisions of the following sections of the Act:

(1)Section 1832—Scope of benefits furnished under the Medicare Part B supplementary medical insurance (SMI) program.

(2)Section 1833 through 1835 and 1862—Amounts of payment for SMI services, the conditions for payment, and the exclusions from coverage.

(3)Section 1861(qq)—Definition of the kinds of services that may be covered.

(4)Section 1865(b)—Permission for CMS to approve and recognize a national accreditation organization for the purpose of deeming entities accredited by the organization to meet program requirements.

(5)Section 1881—Medicare coverage for end-stage renal disease beneficiaries.

(6)Section 1842(o)—Payment for drugs and biologicals not paid on a cost or prospective payment basis.

(b)Scope of part. This part sets forth the benefits available under Medicare Part B, the conditions for payment and the limitations on services, the percentage of incurred expenses that Medicare Part B pays, and the deductible and copayment amounts for which the beneficiary is responsible. (Exclusions applicable to these services are set forth in subpart C of part 405 of this chapter. General conditions for Medicare payment are set forth in part 424 of this chapter.)

410.2Definitions.#

As used in this part— Brace means a rigid or semi-rigid device used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or restricting or eliminating motion in a diseased or injured part of the body. Community mental health center (CMHC) means an entity that—

(1)Provides outpatient services, including specialized outpatient services for children, the elderly, individuals who are chronically mentally ill, and residents of its mental health service area who have been discharged from inpatient treatment at a mental health facility;

(2)Provides 24-hour-a-day emergency care services;

(3)Provides day treatment or other partial hospitalization services or intensive outpatient services, or psychosocial rehabilitation services;

(4)Provides screening for patients being considered for admission to State mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of this admission;

(5)Meets applicable licensing or certification requirements for CMHCs in the State in which it is located; and

(6)Provides at least 40 percent of its services to individuals who are not eligible for benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Custom fitted gradient compression garment means a garment that is uniquely sized and shaped to fit the exact dimensions of the affected extremity or part of the body, of an individual to provide accurate gradient compression to treat lymphedema. Encounter means a direct personal contact between a patient and a physician, or other person who is authorized by State licensure law and, if applicable, by hospital or CAH staff bylaws, to order or furnish hospital services for diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Gradient compression means the ability to apply a higher level of compression or pressure to the distal (farther) end of the limb or body part affected by lymphedema with lower, decreasing compression or pressure at the proximal (closer) end of the limb or body part affected by lymphedema. Intensive outpatient services mean a distinct and organized intensive ambulatory treatment program that offers less than 24-hour daily care other than in an individual's home or in an inpatient or residential setting and furnishes the services as described in § 410.44. Intensive outpatient services are not required to be provided in lieu of inpatient hospitalization. Lymphedema compression treatment item means standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments and other items specified under § 410.36(a)(4) that are—

(1)The specific services listed in section 1861(ww)(2) of the Act, with the explicit exclusion of electrocardiograms;

(2)The Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) (as specified by section 1861(ww)(1) of the Act); and

(3)Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services (PPPS) (as specified by section 1861(hhh)(1) of the Act).

410.3Scope of benefits.#

(a)Covered services. The SMI program helps pay for the following:

(1)Medical and other health services such as physicians' services, outpatient services furnished by a hospital or a CAH, diagnostic tests, outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology services, rural health clinic services, Federally qualified health center services, IHS, Indian tribe, or tribal organization facility services, and outpatient renal dialysis services.

(2)Services furnished by ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), HHAs, CORFs, and partial hospitalization services and intensive outpatient services provided by CMHCs.

(3)Other medicial services, equipment, and supplies that are not covered under Medicare Part A hospital insurance.

(b)Limitations on amount of payment. (1) Medicare Part B does not pay the full reasonable costs or charges for all covered services. The beneficiary is responsible for an annual deductible and a blood deductible and, after the annual deductible has been satisfied, for coinsurance amounts specified for most of the services.

(2)Specific rules on payment are set forth in subpart I of this part.

410.5Other applicable rules.#

The following other rules of this chapter set forth additional policies and procedures applicable to four of the kinds of services covered under the SMI program:

(a)Part 494: End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities.

(b)Part 405, Subpart X: Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center services.

(c)Part 416: Ambulatory Surgical Center services.

(d)Part 493: Laboratory Services.

Subpart B · Subpart B—Medical and Other Health Services

410.10Medical and other health services: Included services.#

Subject to the conditions and limitations specified in this subpart, “medical and other health services” includes the following services:

(a)Physicians' services.

(aa)Mental Health Counselor services, as provided in § 410.54.

(b)Services and supplies furnished incident to a physician's professional services, of kinds that are commonly furnished in physicians' offices and are commonly either furnished without charge or included in the physicians' bills.

(c)Services and supplies, including partial hospitalization services and intensive outpatient services, that are incident to physician services and are furnished to outpatients by or under arrangements made by a hospital or a CAH.

(d)Diagnostic services furnished to outpatients by or under arrangements made by a hospital or a CAH if the services are services that the hospital or CAH ordinarily furnishes to its outpatients for diagnostic study.

(e)Diagnostic laboratory and X-ray tests (including diagnostic mammography that meets the conditions for coverage specified in § 410.34(b) of this subpart) and other diagnostic tests.

(f)X-ray therapy and other radiation therapy services.

(g)Medical supplies, appliances, and devices.

(h)Durable medical equipment.

(i)Ambulance services.

(j)Rural health clinic services.

(k)Home dialysis supplies and equipment; on or after July 1, 1991, epoetin (EPO) for home dialysis patients, and, on or after January 1, 1994, for dialysis patients, competent to use the drug; self-care home dialysis support services; and institutional dialysis services and supplies.

(l)Pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines (or monoclonal antibodies used for preexposure prophylaxis of COVID-19) and their administration.

(m)Outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology services.

(n)Cardiac pacemakers and pacemaker leads.

(o)Additional services furnished to enrollees of HMOs or CMPs, as described in § 410.58.

(p)Hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, as defined in § 410.63(a) of this subchapter.

(q)Blood clotting factors for hemophilia patients competent to use these factors without medical or other supervision.

(r)Screening mammography services.

(s)Federally qualified health center services.

(t)Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant.

(u)Prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy.

(v)Clinical psychologist services and services and supplies furnished as an incident to the services of a clinical psychologist, as provided in § 410.71.

(w)Clinical social worker services, as provided in § 410.73.

(x)Services of physicians and other practitioners furnished in or at the direction of an IHS or Indian tribal hospital or clinic.

(y)Intravenous immune globulin, including items and services, administered in the home for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases.

(z)Marriage and Family Therapist services, as provided in § 410.53.

410.12Medical and other health services: Basic conditions and limitations.#

(a)Basic conditions. The medical and other health services specified in § 410.10 are covered by Medicare Part B only if they are not excluded under subpart A of part 411 of this chapter, and if they meet the following conditions:

(1)When the services must be furnished. The services must be furnished while the individual is in a period of entitlement. (The rules on entitlement are set forth in part 406 of this chapter.)

(2)By whom the services must be furnished. The services must be furnished by a facility or other entity as specified in §§ 410.14 through 410.69.

(3)Physician certification and recertification requirements. If the services are subject to physician certification requirements, they must be certified as being medically necessary, and as meeting other applicable requirements, in accordance with subpart B of part 424 of this chapter.

(b)Limitations on payment. Payment for medical and other health services is subject to limitations on the amounts of payment as specified in §§ 410.152 and 410.155 and to the annual and blood deductibles as set forth in §§ 410.160 and 410.161.

410.14Special requirements for services furnished outside the United States.#

Medicare part B pays for physicians' services and ambulance services furnished outside the United States if the services meet the applicable conditions of § 410.12 and are furnished in connection with covered inpatient hospital services that meet the specific requirements and conditions set forth in subpart H of part 424 of this chapter.

410.15Annual wellness visits providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions. For purposes of this section— A review of any current opioid prescriptions means, with respect to the individual determined to have a current prescription for opioids, all of the following:

(b)Conditions for coverage of annual wellness visits providing personalized prevention plan services. Medicare Part B pays for first and subsequent annual wellness visits providing personalized prevention plan services that are furnished to an eligible beneficiary, as described in this section, if they are furnished by a health professional, as defined in this section.

(c)Limitations on coverage of an annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services. Payment may not be made for either a first or a subsequent annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services that is performed for an individual who is—

(1)Not an eligible beneficiary as described in this section.

(2)An eligible beneficiary as described in this section and who has had either an initial preventive physical examination as specified in § 410.16 of this subpart or either a first or a subsequent annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services performed within the past 12 months.

(d)Effective date. Coverage for an annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services is effective for services furnished on or after January 1, 2011.

(i)A review of the potential risk factors to the individual for opioid use disorder;

(ii)An evaluation of the individual's severity of pain and current treatment plan;

(iii)The provision of information on non-opioid treatment options; and

(iv)A referral to a specialist, as appropriate. Detection of any cognitive impairment means assessment of an individual's cognitive function by direct observation, with due consideration of information obtained by way of patient report, concerns raised by family members, friends, caretakers or others. Eligible beneficiary means an individual who is no longer within 12 months after the effective date of his or her first Medicare Part B coverage period and who has not received either an initial preventive physical examination or an annual wellness visit providing a personalized prevention plan within the past 12 months. Establishment of, or an update to the individual's medical and family history means, at minimum, the collection and documentation of the following:

(i)Review (and administration, if needed) of an updated health risk assessment (as defined in this section).

(ii)An update of the individual's medical and family history.

(iii)An update of the list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in providing medical care to the individual as that list was developed for the first annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services or the previous subsequent annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services.

(iv)Measurement of an individual's weight (or waist circumference), blood pressure and other routine measurements as deemed appropriate, based on the individual's medical and family history.

(v)Detection of any cognitive impairment that the individual may have, as that term is defined in this section.

(A)Demographic data, including but not limited to age, gender, race, and ethnicity.

(B)Self assessment of health status, frailty, and physical functioning.

(C)Psychosocial risks, including but not limited to, depression/life satisfaction, stress, anger, loneliness/social isolation, pain, and fatigue.

(D)Behavioral risks, including but not limited to, tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition and oral health, alcohol consumption, sexual health, motor vehicle safety (seat belt use), and home safety.

(E)Activities of daily living (ADLs), including but not limited to, dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming, physical ambulation (including balance/risk of falls), and bathing.

(F)Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including but not limited to, shopping, food preparation, using the telephone, housekeeping, laundry, mode of transportation, responsibility for own medications, and ability to handle finances. Review of the individual's functional ability and level of safety means, at minimum, assessment of the following topics:

(vi)An update to the following:

(A)The written screening schedule for the individual as that schedule is defined in paragraph (a) of this section for the first annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services.

(B)The list of risk factors and conditions for which primary, secondary or tertiary interventions are recommended or are underway for the individual as that list was developed at the first annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services or the previous subsequent annual wellness visit providing personalized prevention plan services.

(vii)Furnishing of personalized health advice to the individual and a referral, as appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs as that advice and related services are defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

(viii)At the discretion of the beneficiary, furnish advance care planning services to include discussion about future care decisions that may need to be made, how the beneficiary can let others know about care preferences, and explanation of advance directives which may involve the completion of standard forms.

(A)A written screening schedule for the individual such as a checklist for the next 5 to 10 years, as appropriate, based on recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the individual's health risk assessment (as that term is defined in this section), health status, screening history, and age-appropriate preventive services covered by Medicare.

(B)A list of risk factors and conditions for which primary, secondary or tertiary interventions are recommended or are underway for the individual, including any mental health conditions or any such risk factors or conditions that have been identified through an initial preventive physical examination (as described under § 410.16 of this subpart), and a list of treatment options and their associated risks and benefits.

(ix)Furnishing of a review of any current opioid prescriptions as that term is defined in this section.

(x)Screening for potential substance use disorders including a review of the individual's potential risk factors for substance use disorder and referral for treatment as appropriate.

(xi)At the discretion of the health professional and beneficiary, furnish a Physical Activity and Nutrition Risk Assessment that is standardized and evidence-based.

(xii)Any other element determined appropriate through the national coverage determination process.

(xiii)At the discretion of the health professional and beneficiary, furnish a Physical Activity and Nutrition Risk Assessment that is standardized and evidence-based.

(xiv)Any other element determined appropriate through the national coverage determination process. Health professional means—

410.16Initial preventive physical examination: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply: A review of any current opioid prescriptions means, with respect to the individual determined to have a current prescription for opioids, all of the following:

(b)Condition for coverage of an initial preventive physical examination. Medicare Part B pays for an initial preventive physical examination provided to an eligible beneficiary, as described in this section, if it is furnished by a physician or other qualified nonphysician practitioner, as defined in this section.

(c)Limitations on coverage of initial preventive physical examinations. Payment may not be made for an initial preventive physical preventive examination that is performed for an individual who is not an eligible beneficiary as described in this section.

(i)A review of the potential risk factors to the individual for opioid use disorder;

(ii)An evaluation of the individual's severity of pain and current treatment plan;

(iii)The provision of information on non-opioid treatment options; and

(iv)A referral to a specialist, as appropriate. Eligible beneficiary means, for the purposes of this section, an individual who receives his or her initial preventive examination not more than 1 year after the effective date of his or her first Medicare Part B coverage period. End-of-life planning means, for purposes of this section, verbal or written information regarding the following areas:

(1)History of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use.

(2)Diet.

(3)Physical activities.

(4)Home safety Social history is defined to include, at a minimum, the following:

(5)End-of-life planning as that term is defined in this section upon agreement with the individual.

(6)A review of any current opioid prescriptions as defined in this section.

(7)Screening for potential substance use disorders to include a review of the individual's potential risk factors for substance use disorder and referral for treatment as appropriate.

(8)Education, counseling, and referral, as deemed appropriate by the physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner, based on the results of the review and evaluation services described in this section.

(9)Education, counseling, and referral, including a brief written plan such as a checklist provided to the individual for obtaining an electrocardiogram, as appropriate, and the appropriate screening and other preventive services that are covered as separate Medicare Part B benefits as described in sections 1861(s)(10), (jj), (nn), (oo), (pp), (qq)(1), (rr), (uu), (vv), (xx)(1), (yy), (bbb), and (ddd) of the Act. Medical history is defined to include, at a minimum, the following:

410.17Cardiovascular disease screening tests.#

(a)Definition. For purposes of this subpart, the following definition apply: Cardiovascular screening blood test means:

(1)A lipid panel consisting of a total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. The test is performed after a 12-hour fasting period.

(2)Other blood tests, previously recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), as determined by the Secretary through a national coverage determination process.

(3)Other non-invasive tests, for indications that have a blood test recommended by the USPSTF, as determined by the Secretary through a national coverage determination process.

(b)General conditions of coverage. Medicare Part B covers cardiovascular disease screening tests when ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary (see § 410.32(a)) for the purpose of early detection of cardiovascular disease in individuals without apparent signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

(c)Limitation on coverage of cardiovascular screening tests. Payment may be made for cardiovascular screening tests performed for an asymptomatic individual only if the individual has not had the screening tests paid for by Medicare during the preceding 59 months following the month in which the last cardiovascular screening tests were performed.

410.18Diabetes screening tests.#

(a)Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: Diabetes means diabetes mellitus, a condition of abnormal glucose metabolism.

(b)General conditions of coverage. Medicare Part B covers diabetes screening tests after a referral from a physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner to an individual at risk for diabetes for the purpose of early detection of diabetes.

(c)Types of tests covered. The following tests are covered if all other conditions of this subpart are met:

(1)Fasting blood glucose test.

(2)Post-glucose challenges including, but not limited to, an oral glucose tolerance test with a glucose challenge of 75 grams of glucose for non-pregnant adults, a 2-hour post glucose challenge test alone.

(3)Hemoglobin A1C test.

(4)Other tests as determined by the Secretary through a national coverage determination.

(d)Amount of testing covered. Medicare covers two tests within the 12-month period following the date of the most recent diabetes screening test of that individual.

(e)Eligible risk factors. Individuals with the following risk factors are eligible to receive the benefit:

(1)Hypertension.

(2)Dyslipidemia.

(3)Obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2.

(4)Prior identification of impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance.

(5)Any two of the following characteristics:

(i)Overweight, defined as body mass index greater than 25, but less than 30 kg/m 2.

(ii)A family history of diabetes.

(iii)65 years of age or older.

(iv)A history of gestational diabetes mellitus or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

410.19Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms: Condition for and limitation on coverage.#

(a)Definitions: As used in this section, the following definitions apply: Eligible beneficiary means an individual who—

(1)A procedure using soundwaves (or other procedures using alternative technologies of commensurate accuracy and cost, as specified by the Secretary through a national coverage determination process) provided for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

(2)Includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.

(i)Has a family history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

(ii)Is a man age 65 to 75 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his lifetime.

(iii)Is an individual who manifests other risk factors in a beneficiary category recommended for screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding abdominal aortic aneurysms, as specified by the Secretary through a national coverage determination process. Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms means the following services furnished to an asymptomatic individual for the early detection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm:

(b)Conditions for coverage of an ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Medicare Part B pays for one ultrasound screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm provided to eligible beneficiaries, as described in this section, after a referral from a physician or a qualified nonphysician practitioner as defined in § 410.16(a), when the test is performed by a provider or supplier that is authorized to provide covered ultrasound diagnostic services.

(c)Limitation on coverage of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Payment may not be made for an ultrasound screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is performed for an individual that does not meet the definition of “eligible beneficiary” specified in this section.

410.20Physicians' services.#

(a)Included services. Medicare Part B pays for physicians' services, including diagnosis, therapy, surgery, consultations, and home, office, and institutional calls.

(b)By whom services must be furnished. Medicare Part B pays for the services specified in paragraph (a) of this section if they are furnished by one of the following professionals who is legally authorized to practice by the State in which he or she performs the functions or actions, and who is acting within the scope of his or her license.

(1)A doctor of medicine or osteopathy, including an osteopathic practitioner recognized in section 1101(a)(7) of the Act.

(2)A doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine.

(3)A doctor of podiatric medicine.

(4)A doctor of optometry.

(5)A chiropractor who meets the qualifications specified in § 410.22

(c)Limitations on services. The Services specified in paragraph (a) of this section may be covered under Medicare Part B if they are furnished within the limitations specified in §§ 410.22 through 410.25.

(d)Prior determination of medical necessity for physicians' services—(1) Definitions. (i) A “Prior Determination of Medical Necessity” means an individual decision by a Medicare contractor, before a physician's service is furnished, as to whether or not the physician's service is covered consistent with the requirements of section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act relating to medical necessity.

(e)Medical record documentation. The physician may review and verify (sign/date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team including, as applicable, notes documenting the physician's presence and participation in the services.

(i)The national list, provided by CMS, of the most expensive physicians' services (as defined in section 1848(j)(3) of the Act) included in the MPFS which are performed at least 50 times annually.

(ii)The national list, provided by CMS, of plastic and dental surgeries that may be covered by Medicare and that have an amount of at least $1,000 on the MPFS (not including the adjustment for location by the GPCI).

(1)Decides not to seek a prior determination under this paragraph with respect to physicians' services; or

(2)Seeks such a determination and has received a determination described in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(2) of this section, from receiving (and submitting a claim for) those physicians' services and from obtaining administrative or judicial review respecting that claim under the other applicable provisions of this part 405 subpart I of this chapter. Failure to seek a prior determination under this paragraph with respect to physicians' services will not be taken into account in that administrative or judicial review.

(C)No prior determination after receipt of services. Once an individual is provided physicians' services, there will be no prior determination under this paragraph with respect to those physicians' services.

(3)Insufficient information. If the contractor makes the determination described in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(3) of this section, the contractor will include in the notice a description of the additional information required to make the coverage determination.

(B)Decision not to seek prior determination or negative determination does not impact the right to obtain services, seek reimbursement, or appeal rights. Nothing in this paragraph will be construed as affecting the right of an individual who—

(C)Deadline to respond. The notice described in paragraphs (d)(5)(ii)(A)(1) through (d)(5)(ii)(A)(3) of this section will be provided by the contractor within 45 days of the date the request for a prior determination is received by the contractor.

(D)Informing beneficiary in case of physician request. In the case of a request by a participating physician or a physician accepting assignment, the process will provide that the individual to whom the physician's service is to be furnished will be informed of any determination described in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(2) of this section (relating to a determination of non-coverage). The beneficiary will also be notified that, notwithstanding the determination of non-coverage, the beneficiary has the right to obtain the physician's service in question and have a claim submitted for the physician's service.

(iii)Binding nature of positive determination. If the contractor makes the determination described in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(1) of this section, that determination will be binding on the contractor in the absence of fraud or evidence of misrepresentation of facts presented to the contractor.

(iv)Limitation on further review—(A) General rule. Contractor determinations described in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(2) of this section or paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A)(3) of this section (relating to pre-service claims) are not subject to administrative appeal or judicial review.

(4)Identification of eligible services. CMS will identify the number of services that are eligible for a prior determination through manual instructions consistent with the criteria established in the regulation.

(5)Statutory procedures. Under sections 1869(h)(3) through (h)(6) of the Act, the following procedures apply:

(i)Request for prior determination—(A) In general. An eligible requester may submit to the contractor a request for a determination, before the furnishing of a physician's service, as to whether the physician's service is covered under this title consistent with the applicable requirements of section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act (relating to medical necessity).

(B)Accompanying documentation. CMS may require that the request be accompanied by a description of the physician's service, supporting documentation relating to the medical necessity of the physician's service, and other appropriate documentation. In the case of a request submitted by an eligible requester who is described in section 1869(h)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, the Secretary may require that the request also be accompanied by a copy of the advance beneficiary notice involved.

(ii)Response to request—(A) General rule. The contractor will provide the eligible requester with written notice of a determination as to whether—

(A)A participating physician (or a physician that accepts assignment), but only with respect to physicians' services to be furnished to an individual who is entitled to receive benefits under this part and who has consented to the physician making the request under this section for those physicians' services.

(B)An individual entitled to benefits under this part, but only with respect to physicians' services for which the individual receives, from a physician, an advance beneficiary notice under section 1879(a) of the Act.

(2)General rule. Each Medicare contractor will, through the procedures established in CMS manual instructions, allow requests for prior determinations of medical necessity from eligible requesters under its respective jurisdiction for those services identified by CMS (updated annually in conjunction with the update to the MPFS and posted on that specific Medicare contractor's Web site by the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System procedure code and code description). Only those services listed on that Medicare contractor's Web site on the date the request for a prior determination is made are subject to prior determination. Each contractor's list will consist of the following:

410.21Limitations on services of a chiropractor.#

(a)Qualifications for chiropractors. (1) A chiropractor licensed or authorized to practice before July 1, 1974, and an individual who began studies in a chiropractic college before that date, must have—

(b)Limitations on services. (1) Medicare Part B pays only for a chiropractor's manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation if the subluxation has resulted in a neuromusculoskeletal condition for which manual manipulation is appropriate treatment.

(2)Medicare Part B does not pay for X-rays or other diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished or ordered by a chiropractor.

(i)Had preliminary education equal to the requirements for graduation from an accredited high school or other secondary school;

(ii)Graduated from a college of chiropractic approved by the State's chiropractic examiners after completing a course of study covering a period of not less than 3 school years of 6 months each year in actual continuous attendance and covering adequate courses of study in the subjects of anatomy, physiology, symptomatology and diagnosis, hygiene and sanitation, chemistry, histology, pathology, and principles and practice of chiropractic, including clinical instruction in vertebral palpation, nerve tracing and adjusting; and

(i)Had preliminary education equal to the requirements for graduation from an accredited high school or other secondary school;

(ii)Satisfactorily completed 2 years of pre-chiropractic study at the college level;

(iii)Satisfactorily completed a 4-year course of 8 months each year offered by a college or school of chiropractic approved by the State's chiropractic examiners and including at least 4,000 hours in courses in anatomy, physiology, symptomatology and diagnosis, hygiene and sanitation, chemistry, histology, pathology, principles and practice of chiropractic, and clinical instruction in vertebral palpation, nerve tracing and adjusting, plus courses in the use and effect of X-ray and chiropractic analysis;

(2)A chiropractor first licensed or authorized to practice after June 30, 1974, and an individual who begins studies in a chiropractic college after that date, must have—

(iv)Passed an examination prescribed by the State's chiropractic examiners covering the subjects specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section; and

(v)Attained 21 years of age.

410.22Limitations on services of an optometrist.#

Medicare Part B pays for the services of a doctor of optometry, which he or she is legally authorized to perform in the State in which he or she performs them, if the services are among those described in section 1861(s) of the Act and § 410.10 of this part.

410.23Screening for glaucoma: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions: As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Direct supervision in the office setting means the optometrist or the ophthalmologist must be present in the office suite and be immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. It does not mean the physician must be present in the room when the procedure is performed.

(2)Eligible beneficiary means individuals in the following high risk categories:

(i)Individual with diabetes mellitus.

(ii)Individual with a family history of glaucoma.

(iii)African-Americans age 50 and over.

(iv)Hispanic-Americans age 65 and over.

(3)Screening for glaucoma means the following procedures furnished to an individual for the early detection of glaucoma:

(i)A dilated eye examination with an intraocular pressure measurement.

(ii)A direct ophthalmoscopy examination, or a slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination.

(b)Condition for coverage of screening for glaucoma. Medicare Part B pays for glaucoma screening examinations provided to eligible beneficiaries as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section if they are furnished by or under the direct supervision in the office setting of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to perform these services under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the services are furnished, as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or incident to a physician's professional service.

(c)Limitations on coverage of glaucoma screening examinations. (1) Payment may not be made for a glaucoma screening examination that is performed for an individual who is not an eligible beneficiary as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(2)Payment may be made for a glaucoma screening examination that is performed on an individual who is an eligible beneficiary as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, after at least 11 months have passed following the month in which the last glaucoma screening examination was performed.

410.24Limitations on services of a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine.#

Medicare Part B pays for services furnished by a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine within the scope of his or her license, if the services would be covered as physicians' services when performed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy. 1 1 For services furnished before July 1, 1981, Medicare Part B paid only for the following services of a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine; Surgery on the jaw or any adjoining structure; and Reduction of a fracture of the jaw or other facial bone.

410.25Limitations on services of a podiatrist.#

Medicare Part B pays for the services of a doctor of podiatric medicine, acting within the scope of his or her license, if the services would be covered as physicians' services when performed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

410.26Services and supplies incident to a physician's professional services: Conditions.#

(a)Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Auxiliary personnel means any individual who is acting under the supervision of a physician (or other practitioner), regardless of whether the individual is an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the physician (or other practitioner) or of the same entity that employs or contracts with the physician (or other practitioner), has not been excluded from the Medicare, Medicaid and all other federally funded health care programs by the Office of Inspector General or had his or her Medicare enrollment revoked, and meets any applicable requirements to provide incident to services, including licensure, imposed by the State in which the services are being furnished.

(2)Direct supervision means the level of supervision by the physician (or other practitioner) of auxiliary personnel as defined in § 410.32(b)(3)(ii). The presence of the physician (or other practitioner) required for direct supervision may include virtual presence through audio/video real-time communications technology (excluding audio-only) for services without a 010 or 090 global surgery indicator.

(3)General supervision means the service is furnished under the physician's (or other practitioner's) overall direction and control, but the physician's (or other practitioner's) presence is not required during the performance of the service.

(4)Independent contractor means an individual (or an entity that has hired such an individual) who performs part-time or full-time work for which the individual (or the entity that has hired such an individual) receives an IRS-1099 form.

(5)Leased employment means an employment relationship that is recognized by applicable State law and that is established by two employers by a contract such that one employer hires the services of an employee of the other employer.

(6)Noninstitutional setting means all settings other than a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

(7)Practitioner means a non-physician practitioner who is authorized by the Act to receive payment for services incident to his or her own services.

(8)Services and supplies means any services or supplies (including drugs or biologicals that are not usually self-administered) that are included in section 1861(s)(2)(A) of the Act and are not specifically listed in the Act as a separate benefit included in the Medicare program.

(b)Medicare Part B pays for services and supplies incident to the service of a physician (or other practitioner).

(1)Services and supplies must be furnished in a noninstitutional setting to noninstitutional patients.

(2)Services and supplies must be an integral, though incidental, part of the service of a physician (or other practitioner) in the course of diagnosis or treatment of an injury or illness.

(3)Services and supplies must be commonly furnished without charge or included in the bill of a physician (or other practitioner).

(4)Services and supplies must be of a type that are commonly furnished in the office or clinic of a physician (or other practitioner).

(5)In general, services and supplies must be furnished under the direct supervision of the physician (or other practitioner). Designated care management services can be furnished under general supervision of the physician (or other practitioner) when these services or supplies are provided incident to the services of a physician (or other practitioner). Behavioral health services can be furnished under general supervision of the physician (or other practitioner) when these services or supplies are provided by auxiliary personnel incident to the services of a physician (or other practitioner). The physician (or other practitioner) supervising the auxiliary personnel need not be the same physician (or other practitioner) who is treating the patient more broadly. However, only the supervising physician (or other practitioner) may bill Medicare for incident to services.

(6)Services and supplies must be furnished by the physician, practitioner with an incident to benefit, or auxiliary personnel.

(7)Services and supplies must be furnished in accordance with applicable State law.

(8)A physician (or other practitioner) may be an employee or an independent contractor.

(9)Claims for drugs payable administered by a physician as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act to refill an implanted item of DME may only be paid under Part B to the physician as a drug incident to a physician's service under section 1861(s)(2)(A). These drugs are not payable to a pharmacy/supplier as DME under section 1861(s)(6) of the Act.

(c)Limitations. (1) Drugs and biologicals are also subject to the limitations specified in § 410.29.

(2)Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services provided incident to a physician's professional services are subject to the provisions established in §§ 410.59(a)(3)(iii), 410.60(a)(3)(iii), and 410.62(a)(3)(iii).

410.27Therapeutic outpatient hospital or CAH services and supplies incident to a physician's or nonphysician practitioner's service: Conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for therapeutic hospital or CAH services and supplies furnished incident to a physician's or nonphysician practitioner's service, which are defined as all services and supplies furnished to hospital or CAH outpatients that are not diagnostic services and that aid the physician or nonphysician practitioner in the treatment of the patient, including drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered, if—

(1)They are furnished—

(i)By or under arrangements made by the participating hospital or CAH, except in the case of a SNF resident as provided in § 411.15(p) of this subchapter;

(ii)As an integral although incidental part of a physician's or nonphysician practitioner's services;

(iii)In the hospital or CAH or in a department of the hospital or CAH, as defined in § 413.65 of this subchapter, except for mental health services furnished to beneficiaries in their homes through the use of communication technology;

(iv)Under the general supervision (or other level of supervision as specified by CMS for the particular service) of a physician or a nonphysician practitioner as specified in paragraph (g) of this section, subject to the following requirements:

(A)For services furnished in the hospital or CAH, or in an outpatient department of the hospital or CAH, both on and off-campus, as defined in § 413.65 of this subchapter, or through the use of communication technology for mental health services, general supervision means the procedure is furnished under the physician's or nonphysician practitioner's overall direction and control, but the physician's or nonphysician practitioner's presence is not required during the performance of the procedure.

(B)Certain therapeutic services and supplies may be assigned either direct supervision or personal supervision.

(1)For purposes of this section, direct supervision means that the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. It does not mean that the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be present in the room when the procedure is performed. For pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, and intensive cardiac rehabilitation services, direct supervision must be furnished as specified in §§ 410.47 and 410.49, respectively. The presence of the physician or nonphysician practitioner for the purpose of the supervision of pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, and intensive cardiac rehabilitation services includes virtual presence through audio/video real-time communications technology (excluding audio-only); and

(2)Personal supervision means the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be in attendance in the room during the performance of the procedure.

(C)Nonphysician practitioners may provide the required supervision of services that they may personally furnish in accordance with State law and all additional requirements, including those specified in §§ 410.71, 410.73, 410.74, 410.75, 410.76, and 410.77; and

(v)In accordance with applicable State law.

(2)In the case of partial hospitalization services or intensive outpatient services, also meet the conditions of paragraph (e) of this section.

(b)Drugs and biologicals are also subject to the limitations specified in § 410.129.

(c)Rules on emergency services furnished to outpatients by nonparticipating hospitals are specified in subpart G of Part 424 of this chapter.

(d)Rules on emergency services furnished to outpatients in a foreign country are specified in subpart H of Part 424 of this chapter.

(e)Medicare Part B pays for partial hospitalization services and intensive outpatient services if they are—

(1)Prescribed by a physician who certifies and recertifies the need for the services in accordance with subpart B of part 424 of this chapter; and

(2)Furnished under a plan of treatment as required under subpart B of part 424 of this chapter.

(f)Services furnished by an entity other than the hospital are subject to the limitations specified in § 410.42(a).

(g)For purposes of this section, nonphysician practitioner means a clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse-midwife.

410.28Hospital or CAH diagnostic services furnished to outpatients: Conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for hospital or CAH diagnostic services furnished to outpatients, including drugs and biologicals required in the performance of the services (even if those drugs or biologicals are self-administered), if those services meet the following conditions:

(1)They are furnished by or under arrangements made by a participating hospital or participating CAH, except in the case of an SNF resident as provided in § 411.15(p) of this chapter.

(2)They are ordinarily furnished by, or under arrangements made by, the hospital or CAH to its outpatients for the purpose of diagnostic study.

(3)They would be covered as inpatient hospital services if furnished to an inpatient.

(b)Drugs and biologicals are also subject to the limitations specified in § 410.29(b) and (c).

(c)Diagnostic services furnished by an entity other than the hospital or CAH are subject to the limitations specified in § 410.42(a).

(d)Rules on emergency services furnished to outpatients by nonparticipating hospitals are set forth in subpart G of part 424 of this chapter.

(e)Medicare Part B makes payment under section 1833(t) of the Act for diagnostic services furnished by or under arrangements made by the participating hospital only when the diagnostic services are furnished under one of the three levels of supervision (as defined in paragraphs (e)(1) through (3) of this section) specified by CMS for the particular service by a physician or, to the extent that they are authorized to do so under their scope of practice and applicable State law, by a nonphysician practitioner (physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife or certified registered nurse anesthetist).

(1)General supervision. General supervision means the procedure is furnished under the physician's or nonphysician practitioner's overall direction and control, but the physician's or nonphysician practitioner's presence is not required during the performance of the procedure. Under general supervision at a facility accorded provider-based status, the training of the nonphysician personnel who actually perform the diagnostic procedure and the maintenance of the necessary equipment and supplies are the continuing responsibility of the facility.

(2)Direct supervision. (i) For services furnished directly or under arrangement in the hospital or in an on-campus or off-campus outpatient department of the hospital, as defined in § 413.65 of this chapter, “direct supervision” means that the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. It does not mean that the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be present in the room where the procedure is performed.

(f)The rules for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests set forth in §§ 410.32(a) and (d)(2) through (d)(4) of this subpart are applicable to those tests when furnished in hospitals and CAHs.

(ii)For services furnished under arrangement in nonhospital locations, “direct supervision” means the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. It does not mean that the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be present in the room when the procedure is performed.

(iii)The presence of the physician or nonphysician practitioner under paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section includes virtual presence through audio/video real-time communications technology (excluding audio-only) for services without a 010 or 090 global surgery indicator.

(3)Personal supervision. Personal supervision means the physician or nonphysician practitioner must be in attendance in the room during the performance of the procedure.

410.29Limitations on drugs and biologicals.#

Medicare part B does not pay for the following:

(a)Except as provided in § 410.28(a) for outpatient diagnostic services and § 410.63(b) for blood clotting factors, and except for EPO, any drug or biological which is usually self-administered by the patient.

(b)Any drug product that meets all of the following conditions:

(1)The drug product was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before October 10, 1962.

(2)The drug product is available only through prescription.

(3)The drug product is the subject of a notice of opportunity for hearing issued under section 505(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and published in the Federal Register on a proposed order of FDA to withdraw its approval for the drug product because it has determined that the product is less than effective for all its labeled indications.

(4)The drug product is presently not subject to a determination by FDA, made under its efficacy review program, that there is a compelling justification of the drug product's medical need. (21 CFR 310.6 contains an explanation of the efficacy review program.)

(c)Any drug product that is identical, related, or similar, as defined in 21 CFR 310.6, to a drug product that meets the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section.

410.30Prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy.#

(a)Scope. Payment may be made for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy that meet one of the following conditions:

(1)The drug has been approved for marketing by the FDA and—

(i)The approved labeling includes an indication for preventing or treating the rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue; or

(ii)The approved labeling includes the indication for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive drugs to prevent or treat rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue.

(2)The drug has been approved for marketing by FDA and determined by a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) (in accordance with part 421, subpart C, of this chapter), in processing a Medicare claim, to be reasonable and necessary for the specific purpose of preventing or treating the rejection of a patient's transplanted organ or tissue, or for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive drugs for the purpose of preventing or treating the rejection of a patient's transplanted organ or tissue. (In making these determinations, the MACs may consider factors such as authoritative drug compendia, current medical literature, recognized standards of medical practice, and professional medical publications.)

(3)The drug is a compounded formulation with active ingredients derived only from a drug described in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section and is orally or enterally administered.

(b)Eligibility. For drugs furnished on or after December 21, 2000, coverage is available only for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy, furnished to an individual who received an organ or tissue transplant for which Medicare payment is made, provided the individual is eligible to receive Medicare Part B benefits, including, beginning January 1, 2023, an individual who meets the requirements specified in § 407.55 of this subchapter.

(c)Coverage. Drugs are covered under this provision irrespective of whether they can be self-administered.

410.31Bone mass measurement: Conditions for coverage and frequency standards.#

(a)Definition. As used in this section unless specified otherwise, the following definition applies: Bone mass measurement means a radiologic, radioisotopic, or other procedure that meets the following conditions:

(1)Is performed for the purpose of identifying bone mass, detecting bone loss, or determining bone quality.

(2)Is performed with either a bone densitometer (other than single-photon or dual-photon absorptiometry) or with a bone sonometer system that has been cleared for marketing for this use by the FDA under 21 CFR part 807, or approved for marketing by the FDA for this use under 21 CFR part 814.

(3)Includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.

(b)Conditions for coverage. (1) Medicare covers a medically necessary bone mass measurement if the following conditions are met:

(e)Denial as not reasonable and necessary. If CMS determines that a bone mass measurement does not meet the conditions for coverage in paragraphs (b) or (d) of this section, or the standards on frequency of coverage in paragraph (c) of this section, it is excluded from Medicare coverage as not “reasonable” and “necessary” under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act and § 411.15(k) of this chapter.

(f)Use of the National Coverage Determination Process. For the purposes of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, CMS may determine through the National Coverage Determination process that additional bone mass measurement systems are reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1) of the Act for monitoring and confirming baseline bone mass measurements.

(i)Following an evaluation of the beneficiary's need for the measurement, including a determination as to the medically appropriate procedure to be used for the beneficiary, it is ordered by the physician or a qualified nonphysician practitioner (as these terms are defined in § 410.32(a)) treating the beneficiary.

(ii)It is performed under the appropriate level of supervision of a physician (as set forth in § 410.32(b)).

(c)Standards on frequency of coverage—(1) General rule. Except as allowed under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, Medicare may cover a bone mass measurement for a beneficiary if at least 23 months have passed since the month the last bone mass measurement was performed.

(2)Exception. If medically necessary, Medicare may cover a bone mass measurement for a beneficiary more frequently than allowed under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Examples of situations where more frequent bone mass measurement procedures may be medically necessary include, but are not limited to the following medical circumstances:

(d)Beneficiaries who may be covered. The following categories of beneficiaries may receive Medicare coverage for a medically necessary bone mass measurement:

(1)A woman who has been determined by the physician (or a qualified nonphysician practitioner) treating her to be estrogen-deficient and at clinical risk for osteoporosis, based on her medical history and other findings.

(2)An individual with vertebral abnormalities as demonstrated by an x-ray to be indicative of osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fracture.

(3)An individual receiving (or expecting to receive) glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy equivalent to an average of 5.0 mg of prednisone, or greater, per day for more than 3 months.

(4)An individual with primary hyperparathyroidism.

(5)An individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of an FDA-approved osteoporosis drug therapy.

(i)Monitoring beneficiaries on long-term glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy of more than 3 months.

(ii)Allowing for a confirmatory baseline measurement to permit monitoring of beneficiaries in the future if the requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section are met.

(iii)It is reasonable and necessary for diagnosing and treating the Condition of a beneficiary who meets the conditions described in paragraph (d) of this section.

(2)Medicare covers a medically necessary bone mass measurement for an individual defined under paragraph (d)(5) of this section if the conditions under paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met and the monitoring is performed by the use of a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial skeleton).

(3)Medicare covers a medically necessary confirmatory baseline bone mass measurement for an individual defined under paragraph (d) of this section, if the conditions under paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met and the confirmatory baseline bone mass measurement is performed by a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial skeleton) and the initial measurement was not performed by a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial skeleton).

410.32Diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests: Conditions.#

(a)Ordering diagnostic tests. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests must be ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary, that is, the physician who furnishes a consultation or treats a beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem. Tests not ordered by the physician who is treating the beneficiary are not reasonable and necessary (see § 411.15(k)(1) of this chapter).

(1)Mammography exception. A physician who meets the qualification requirements for an interpreting physician under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act as provided in § 410.34(a)(7) may order a diagnostic mammogram based on the findings of a screening mammogram even though the physician does not treat the beneficiary.

(2)Application to nonphysician practitioners. Nonphysician practitioners (that is, clinical nurse specialists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who furnish services that would be physician services if furnished by a physician, and who are operating within the scope of their authority under State law and within the scope of their Medicare statutory benefit, may be treated the same as physicians treating beneficiaries for the purpose of this paragraph.

(3)Public Health Emergency exceptions. During the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, the order of a physician or other applicable practitioner is not required for one otherwise covered diagnostic laboratory test for COVID-19 and for one otherwise covered diagnostic laboratory test each for influenza virus or similar respiratory condition needed to obtain a final COVID-19 diagnosis when performed in conjunction with COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory test in order to rule-out influenza virus or related diagnosis. Subsequent otherwise covered COVID-19 and related tests described in the previous sentence are reasonable and necessary when ordered by a physician or nonphysician practitioner in accordance with this paragraph (a), or when ordered by a pharmacist or other healthcare professional who is authorized under applicable state law to order diagnostic laboratory tests. FDA-authorized COVID-19 serology tests are included as covered tests subject to the same order requirements during the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, as defined in § 400.20 of this chapter, as they are reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act for beneficiaries with known current or known prior COVID-19 infection or suspected current or suspected prior COVID-19 infection.

(4)Application to audiologists. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, audiologists may personally furnish diagnostic audiology tests for a patient once per patient per 12-month period without an order from the physician or nonphysician practitioner treating the patient. Such diagnostic audiology tests can be for non-acute hearing conditions, but may not include audiology services that are related to disequilibrium, or hearing aids, or examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing hearing aids that are outlined at § 411.15(d). Audiology services furnished without an order from the treating physician or practitioner are billed using a modifier CMS designates for this purpose.

(b)Diagnostic x-ray and other diagnostic tests— (1) Basic rule. Except as indicated in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, all diagnostic x-ray and other diagnostic tests covered under section 1861(s)(3) of the Act and payable under the physician fee schedule must be furnished under the appropriate level of supervision by a physician as defined in section 1861(r) of the Act or, to the extent that they are authorized to do so under their scope of practice and applicable State law, by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, physician assistant, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or a certified nurse-midwife. Services furnished without the required level of supervision are not reasonable and necessary (see § 411.15(k)(1) of this chapter).

(2)Exceptions. The following diagnostic tests payable under the physician fee schedule are excluded from the basic rule set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section:

(i)Diagnostic mammography procedures, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

(ii)Diagnostic tests personally furnished by a qualified audiologist as defined in section 1861(ll)(3) of the Act.

(iii)Diagnostic psychological and neuropsychological testing services when—

(A)Personally furnished by a clinical psychologist or an independently practicing psychologist as defined in program instructions; or

(B)Furnished under the general supervision of a physician or clinical psychologist; or under the general supervision of a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, physician assistant, certified registered nurse anesthetist or certified nurse-midwife, to the extent they are authorized to perform the tests under their scope of practice and applicable State laws.

(iv)Diagnostic tests (as established through program instructions) personally performed by a physical therapist who is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a qualified electrophysiologic clinical specialist and permitted to provide the service under State law.

(v)Diagnostic tests performed by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist authorized to perform the tests under applicable State laws.

(vi)Pathology and laboratory procedures listed in the 80000 series of the Current Procedural Terminology published by the American Medical Association.

(vii)Diagnostic tests performed by a certified nurse-midwife authorized to perform the tests under applicable State laws.

(viii)During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, diagnostic tests performed by a physician assistant authorized to perform the tests under applicable State law.

(ix)Diagnostic tests performed by a physician assistant authorized to perform the tests under their scope of practice and applicable State laws.

(3)Levels of supervision. Except where otherwise indicated, all diagnostic x-ray and other diagnostic tests subject to this provision and payable under the physician fee schedule must be furnished under at least a general level of supervision as defined in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section. In addition, some of these tests also require either direct or personal supervision as defined in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) or (iii) of this section, respectively. When direct or personal supervision is required, supervision at the specified level is required throughout the performance of the test.

(i)General supervision means the procedure is furnished under the physician's overall direction and control, but the physician's presence is not required during the performance of the procedure. Under general supervision, the training of the nonphysician personnel who actually perform the diagnostic procedure and the maintenance of the necessary equipment and supplies are the continuing responsibility of the physician.

(ii)Direct supervision in the office setting means that the physician (or other supervising practitioner) must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the service. It does not mean that the physician (or other supervising practitioner) must be present in the room when the service is performed. The presence of the physician (or other practitioner) required for direct supervision may include virtual presence through audio/video real-time communications technology (excluding audio-only) for services without a 010 or 090 global surgery indicator.

(iii)Personal supervision means a physician must be in attendance in the room during the performance of the procedure.

(4)Supervision requirement for RRA or RPA. Diagnostic tests that are performed by a registered radiologist assistant (RRA) who is certified and registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or a radiology practitioner assistant (RPA) who is certified by the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants, and that would otherwise require a personal level of supervision as specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, may be furnished under a direct level of physician supervision to the extent permitted by state law and state scope of practice regulations.

(c)Portable x-ray services. Portable x-ray services furnished in a place of residence used as the patient's home are covered if the following conditions are met:

(1)These services are furnished under the general supervision of a physician, as defined in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.

(2)These services are ordered by a physician as provided in paragraph (a) or by a nonphysician practitioner as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(3)The supplier of these services meets the requirements set forth in part 486, subpart C of this chapter, concerning conditions for coverage for portable x-ray services.

(4)The procedures are limited to—

(i)Skeletal films involving the extremities, pelvis, vertebral column, or skull;

(ii)Chest or abdominal films that do not involve the use of contrast media; and

(iii)Diagnostic mammograms if the approved portable x-ray supplier, as defined in subpart C of part 486 of this chapter, meets the certification requirements of section 354 of the Public Health Service Act, as implemented by 21 CFR part 900, subpart B.

(d)Diagnostic laboratory tests—(1) Who may furnish services. Medicare Part B pays for covered diagnostic laboratory tests that are furnished by any of the following:

(e)Diagnostic laboratory tests furnished in hospitals and CAHs. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (d)(2) through (d)(4) of this section, inclusive, of this section apply to all diagnostic laboratory test furnished by hospitals and CAHs to outpatients.

(i)A participating hospital or participating RPCH.

(ii)A nonparticipating hospital that meets the requirements for emergency outpatient services specified in subpart G of part 424 of this chapter and the laboratory requirements specified in part 493 of this chapter.

(i)Documentation requirements. Except for tests described in paragraph (a)(3) introductory text, upon request by CMS, the entity submitting the claim must provide the following information:

(A)Documentation of the order for the service billed (including information sufficient to enable CMS to identify and contact the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner).

(B)Documentation showing accurate processing of the order and submission of the claim.

(C)Diagnostic or other medical information supplied to the laboratory by the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner, including any ICD-9-CM code or narrative description supplied.

(ii)Exceptions. CMS may automatically deny a claim without manual review if a national coverage decision or LMRP specifies the circumstances under which the service is denied, or the service is specifically excluded from Medicare coverage by law.

(A)Provides the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner information sufficient to identify the claim being reviewed.

(B)Requests from the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner those parts of a beneficiary's medical record that are relevant to the specific claim(s) being reviewed.

(C)If the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner does not supply the documentation requested, informs the entity submitting the claim(s) that the documentation has not been supplied and denies the claim.

(iii)Medical necessity. The entity submitting the claim may request additional diagnostic and other medical information from the ordering physician or nonphysician practitioner to document that the services it bills are reasonable and necessary. If the entity requests additional documentation, it must request material relevant to the medical necessity of the specific test(s), taking into consideration current rules and regulations on patient confidentiality.

(3)Claims review.

(4)Automatic denial and manual review. (i) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section, CMS does not deny a claim for services that exceed utilization parameters without reviewing all relevant documentation that is submitted with the claim (for example, justifications prepared by providers, primary and secondary diagnoses, and copies of medical records).

(iv)An RHC.

(v)A laboratory, if it meets the applicable requirements for laboratories of part 493 of this chapter, including the laboratory of a nonparticipating hospital that does not meet the requirements for emergency outpatient services in subpart G of part 424 of this chapter.

(vi)An FQHC.

(vii)An SNF to its resident under § 411.15(p) of this chapter, either directly (in accordance with § 483.75(k)(1)(i) of this chapter) or under an arrangement (as defined in § 409.3 of this chapter) with another entity described in this paragraph.

(2)Documentation and recordkeeping requirements—

410.33Independent diagnostic testing facility.#

(a)General rule. (1) Effective for diagnostic procedures performed on or after March 15, 1999, carriers will pay for diagnostic procedures under the physician fee schedule only when performed by a physician, a group practice of physicians, an approved supplier of portable x-ray services, a nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse specialist when he or she performs a test he or she is authorized by the State to perform, or an independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF). An IDTF may be a fixed location, a mobile entity, or an individual nonphysician practitioner. It is independent of a physician's office or hospital; however, these rules apply when an IDTF furnishes diagnostic procedures in a physician's office.

(2)Exceptions. The following diagnostic tests that are payable under the physician fee schedule and furnished by a nonhospital testing entity are not required to be furnished in accordance with the criteria set forth in paragraphs (b) through (e) and (g) and (h) of this section.

(i)Diagnostic mammography procedures, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

(ii)Diagnostic tests personally furnished by a qualified audiologist as defined in section 1861(ll)(3) of the Act.

(iii)Diagnostic psychological testing services personally furnished by a clinical psychologist or a qualified independent psychologist as defined in program instructions.

(b)Supervising physician. (1) Each supervising physician must be limited to providing general supervision to no more than three IDTF sites. This applies to both fixed sites and mobile units where three concurrent operations are capable of performing tests.

(2)The supervising physician must evidence proficiency in the performance and interpretation of each type of diagnostic procedure performed by the IDTF. The proficiency may be documented by certification in specific medical specialties or subspecialties or by criteria established by the carrier for the service area in which the IDTF is located. In the case of a procedure requiring the direct or personal supervision of a physician as set forth in § 410.32(b)(3)(ii) or (b)(3)(iii), the IDTF's supervising physician must personally furnish this level of supervision whether the procedure is performed in the IDTF or, in the case of mobile services, at the remote location. The IDTF must maintain documentation of sufficient physician resources during all hours of operations to assure that the required physician supervision is furnished. In the case of procedures requiring direct supervision, the supervising physician may oversee concurrent procedures.

(c)Nonphysician personnel. (1) Except as otherwise stated in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, any nonphysician personnel used by the IDTF to perform tests must demonstrate the basic qualifications to perform the tests in question and have training and proficiency as evidenced by licensure or certification by the appropriate State health or education department. In the absence of a State licensing board, the technician must be certified by an appropriate national credentialing body. The IDTF must maintain documentation available for review that these requirements are met.

(2)For services that do not require direct or in-person beneficiary interaction, treatment, or testing, any nonphysician personnel used by the IDTF to perform the tests must meet all applicable State licensure requirements for doing so. If there are any applicable State licensure requirements, the IDTF must maintain documentation available for review that these requirements are met.

(d)Ordering of tests. All procedures performed by the IDTF must be specifically ordered in writing by the physician who is treating the beneficiary, that is, the physician who is furnishing a consultation or treating a beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem. (Nonphysician practitioners may order tests as set forth in § 410.32(a)(3).) The order must specify the diagnosis or other basis for the testing. The supervising physician for the IDTF may not order tests to be performed by the IDTF, unless the IDTF's supervising physician is in fact the beneficiary's treating physician. That is, the physician in question had a relationship with the beneficiary prior to the performance of the testing and is treating the beneficiary for a specific medical problem. The IDTF may not add any procedures based on internal protocols without a written order from the treating physician.

(e)Multi-State entities. (1) An IDTF that operates across State boundaries must—

(f)Applicability of State law. An IDTF must comply with the applicable laws of any State in which it operates.

(g)Application certification standards. The IDTF must certify in its enrollment application that it meets the following standards and related requirements:

(1)Operates its business in compliance with all applicable Federal and State licensure and regulatory requirements for the health and safety of patients.

(2)Provides complete and accurate information on its enrollment application. Changes in ownership, changes of location (including additions and deletions of locations), changes in general supervision, and adverse legal actions must be reported to the Medicare fee-for-service contractor on the Medicare enrollment application within 30 calendar days of the change. All other changes to the enrollment application must be reported within 90 days.

(3)Maintain a physical facility on an appropriate site. For the purposes of this standard, a post office box, commercial mailbox, hotel, or motel is not considered an appropriate site.

(i)The physical facility, including mobile units, must contain space for equipment appropriate to the services designated on the enrollment application, facilities for hand washing, adequate patient privacy accommodations, and the storage of both business records and current medical records within the office setting of the IDTF, or IDTF home office, not within the actual mobile unit.

(ii)IDTF suppliers that provide services remotely and do not see beneficiaries at their practice location are exempt from providing hand washing and adequate patient privacy accommodations.

(4)Has all applicable diagnostic testing equipment available at the physical site excluding portable diagnostic testing equipment. The IDTF must—

(i)Maintain a catalog of portable diagnostic equipment, including diagnostic testing equipment serial numbers at the physical site;

(ii)Make portable diagnostic testing equipment available for inspection within 2 business days of a CMS inspection request.

(iii)Maintain a current inventory of the diagnostic testing equipment, including serial and registration numbers and provide this information to the designated fee-for-service contractor upon request, and notify the contractor of any changes in equipment within 90 days.

(5)Maintain a primary business phone under the name of the designated business. The IDTF must have its—

(i)Primary business phone located at the designated site of the business or within the home office of the mobile IDTF units.

(ii)Telephone or toll free telephone numbers available in a local directory and through directory assistance.

(6)Have a comprehensive liability insurance policy of at least $300,000 per location that covers both the place of business and all customers and employees of the IDTF. The policy must be carried by a nonrelative-owned company. Failure to maintain required insurance at all times will result in revocation of the IDTF's billing privileges retroactive to the date the insurance lapsed. IDTF suppliers are responsible for providing the contact information for the issuing insurance agent and the underwriter. In addition, the IDTF must—

(i)Except as otherwise stated in paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section, have a comprehensive liability insurance policy of at least $300,000 per location that covers both the place of business and all customers and employees of the IDTF. The policy must be carried by a nonrelative-owned company. Failure to maintain required insurance at all times will result in revocation of the IDTF's billing privileges retroactive to the date the insurance lapsed. IDTF suppliers are responsible for providing the contact information for the issuing insurance agent and the underwriter. In addition, the IDTF must—

(A)Ensure that the insurance policy must remain in force at all times and provide coverage of at least $300,000 per incident; and

(B)Notify the CMS designated contractor in writing of any policy changes or cancellations.

(ii)Paragraph (g)(6)(i) of this section does not apply to IDTFs that only perform services that do not require direct or in-person beneficiary interaction, treatment, or testing.

(7)Agree not to directly solicit patients, which include, but is not limited to, a prohibition on telephone, computer, or in-person contacts. The IDTF must accept only those patients referred for diagnostic testing by an attending physician, who is furnishing a consultation or treating a beneficiary for a specific medical problem and who uses the results in the management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem. Nonphysician practitioners may order tests as set forth in § 410.32(a)(3).

(8)Answer, document, and maintain documentation of a beneficiary's written clinical complaint at the physical site of the IDTF (For mobile IDTFs, this documentation would be stored at their home office.) This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(i)Except as otherwise stated in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) of this section, answer, document, and maintain documentation of a beneficiary's written clinical complaint at the physical site of the IDTF. (For mobile IDTFs, this documentation would be stored at their home office.) This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(A)The name, address, telephone number, and health insurance claim number of the beneficiary.

(B)The date the complaint was received; the name of the person receiving the complaint; and a summary of actions taken to resolve the complaint.

(C)If an investigation was not conducted, the name of the person making the decision and the reason for the decision.

(ii)Paragraph (g)(8)(i) of this section does not apply to IDTFs that only perform services that do not require direct or in-person beneficiary interaction, treatment, or testing.

(9)Openly post these standards for review by patients and the public. (This requirement does not apply to IDTFs that only perform services that do not require direct or in-person beneficiary interaction, treatment, or testing.)

(10)Disclose to the government any person having ownership, financial, or control interest or any other legal interest in the supplier at the time of enrollment or within 30 days of a change.

(11)Have its testing equipment calibrated and maintained per equipment instructions and in compliance with applicable manufacturers suggested maintenance and calibration standards.

(12)Have technical staff on duty with the appropriate credentials to perform tests. The IDTF must be able to produce the applicable Federal or State licenses or certifications of the individuals performing these services.

(13)Have proper medical record storage and be able to retrieve medical records upon request from CMS or its fee-for-service contractor within 2 business days.

(14)Permit CMS, including its agents, or its designated fee-for-service contractors, to conduct unannounced, on-site inspections to confirm the IDTF's compliance with these standards. The IDTF must—

(i)Be accessible during regular business hours to CMS and beneficiaries; and

(ii)Maintain a visible sign posting its normal business hours.

(15)With the exception of hospital-based and mobile IDTFs, a fixed-base IDTF is prohibited from the following:

(i)Sharing a practice location with another Medicare-enrolled individual or organization;

(ii)Leasing or subleasing its operations or its practice location to another Medicare-enrolled individual or organization; or

(iii)Sharing diagnostic testing equipment used in the initial diagnostic test with another Medicare-enrolled individual or organization.

(16)Enrolls for any diagnostic testing services that it furnishes to a Medicare beneficiary, regardless of whether the service is furnished in a mobile or fixed base location.

(17)Bills for all mobile diagnostic services that are furnished to a Medicare beneficiary, unless the mobile diagnostic service is part of a service provided under arrangement as described in section 1861(w)(1) of the Act.

(h)Failure to meet standards. If an IDTF fails to meet one or more of the standards in paragraph (g) of this section at the time of enrollment, its enrollment will be denied. CMS will revoke a supplier's billing privileges if and IDTF is found not to meet the standards in paragraph (g) or (b)(1) of this section.

(i)Effective date of billing privileges. The filing date of the Medicare enrollment application is the date that the Medicare contractor receives a signed provider enrollment application that it is able to process to approval. The effective date of billing privileges for a newly enrolled IDTF is the later of the following:

(1)The filing date of the Medicare enrollment application that was subsequently approved by a Medicare fee-for-service contractor; or

(2)The date the IDTF first started furnishing services at its new practice location.

(ii)Operate in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local licensure and regulatory requirements with regard to the health and safety of patients.

(2)The point of the actual delivery of service means the place of service on the claim form. When the IDTF performs or administers an entire diagnostic test at the beneficiary's location, the beneficiary's location is the place of service. When one or more aspects of the diagnostic testing are performed at the IDTF, the IDTF is the place of service.

410.34Mammography services: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Diagnostic mammography means a radiologic procedure furnished to a man or woman with signs or symptoms of breast disease, or a personal history of breast cancer, or a personal history of biopsy-proven benign breast disease, and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.

(2)Screening mammography means a radiologic procedure furnished to a woman without signs or symptoms of breast disease, for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer, and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.

(3)Supplier of diagnostic mammography means a facility that is certified and responsible for ensuring that all diagnostic mammography services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries meet the conditions for coverage of diagnostic mammography services as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(4)Supplier of screening mammography means a facility that is certified and responsible for ensuring that all screening mammography services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries meet the conditions and limitations for coverage of screening mammography services as specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.

(5)Certificate means the certificate described in 21 CFR 900.2(b) that may be issued to, or renewed for, a facility that meets the requirements for conducting an examination or procedure involving mammography.

(6)Provisional certificate means the provisional certificate described in 21 CFR 900.2(m) that may be issued to a facility to enable the facility to qualify to meet the requirements for conducting an examination or procedure involving mammography.

(7)The term meets the certification requirements of section 354 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act means that in order to qualify for coverage of its services under the Medicare program, a supplier of diagnostic or screening mammography services must meet the following requirements:

(i)Must have a valid provisional certificate, or a valid certificate, that has been issued by FDA indicating that the supplier meets the certification requirements of section 354 of the PHS Act, as implemented by 21 CFR part 900, subpart B.

(ii)Has not been issued a written notification by FDA that states that the supplier must cease conducting mammography examinations because the supplier is not in compliance with certain critical certification requirements of section 354 of the PHS Act, implemented by 21 CFR part 900, subpart B.

(iii)Must not employ for provision of the professional component of mammography services a physician or physicians for whom the facility has received written notification by FDA that the physician (or physicians) is (or are) in violation of the certification requirements set forth in section 354 of the PHS Act, as implemented by 21 CFR 900.12(a)(1)(i).

(b)Conditions for coverage of diagnostic mammography services. Medicare Part B pays for diagnostic mammography services if they meet the following conditions:

(1)They are ordered by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act).

(2)They are furnished by a supplier of diagnostic mammography services that meets the certification requirements of section 354 of the PHS Act, as implemented by 21 CFR part 900, subpart B.

(c)Conditions for coverage of screening mammography services. Medicare Part B pays for screening mammography services if they are furnished by a supplier of screening mammography services that meets the certification requirements of section 354 of the PHS Act, as implemented by 21 CFR part 900, subpart B.

(d)Limitations on coverage of screening mammography services. The following limitations apply to coverage of screening mammography services as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section:

(1)The service must be, at a minimum a two-view exposure (that is, a cranio-caudal and a medial lateral oblique view) of each breast.

(2)Payment may not be made for screening mammography performed on a woman under age 35.

(3)Payment may be made for only 1 screening mammography performed on a woman over age 34, but under age 40.

(4)For an asymptomatic woman over 39 years of age, payment may be made for a screening mammography performed after at least 11 months have passed following the month in which the last screening mammography was performed.

410.35X-ray therapy and other radiation therapy services: Scope.#

Medicare Part B pays for X-ray therapy and other radiation therapy services, including radium therapy and radioactive isotope therapy, and materials and the services of technicians administering the treatment.

410.36Medical supplies, appliances, and devices: Scope.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for the following medical supplies, appliances and devices:

(1)Surgical dressings, and splints, casts, and other devices used for reduction of fractures and dislocations.

(2)Prosthetic devices, other than dental, that replace all or part of an internal body organ, including colostomy bags and supplies directly related to colostomy care, including—

(i)Replacement of prosthetic devices; and

(ii)One pair of conventional eyeglasses or conventional contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery during which an intraocular lens is inserted.

(3)(i) Leg, arm, back, and neck braces.

(A)A leg brace may include a shoe if it is an integral part of the brace (necessary for the leg brace to function properly) and its expense is included as part of the cost of the brace.

(b)The conditions of payment described in § 410.38(d) also apply to medical supplies, appliances, and devices.

(ii)Artificial legs, arms, and eyes; and

(i)Standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments.

(ii)Gradient compression wraps with adjustable straps.

(iii)Compression bandaging systems.

(4)Lymphedema compression treatment items, including the following:

(iv)Other items determined to be lymphedema compression treatment items under the process established under § 414.1670.

(v)For the purposes of paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, the scope of the benefit for lymphedema compression treatment items includes accessories such as zippers in garments, liners worn under garments or wraps with adjustable straps, and padding or fillers that are necessary for the effective use of a gradient compression garment or wrap with adjustable straps.

410.37Colorectal cancer screening tests: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Colorectal cancer screening tests means any of the following procedures furnished to an individual for the purpose of early detection of colorectal cancer:

(i)Screening fecal-occult blood tests.

(ii)Screening flexible sigmoidoscopies.

(iii)Screening colonoscopies, including anesthesia furnished in conjunction with the service.

(iv)Screening computed tomography colonography.

(v)Other tests or procedures established by a national coverage determination, and modifications to tests under this paragraph, with such frequency and payment limits as CMS determines appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations

(2)Screening fecal-occult blood test means—

(i)A guaiac-based test for peroxidase activity, testing two samples from each of three consecutive stools, or,

(ii)Other tests as determined by the Secretary through a national coverage determination.

(3)An individual at high risk for colorectal cancer means an individual with—

(i)A close relative (sibling, parent, or child) who has had colorectal cancer or an adenomatous polyp;

(ii)A family history of familial adenomatous polyposis;

(iii)A family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer;

(iv)A personal history of adenomatous polyps; or

(v)A personal history of colorectal cancer; or

(vi)Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's Disease, and ulcerative colitis.

(4)Screening computed tomography colonography means a test that uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the entire colon (including image processing and a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure).

(5)An attending physician for purposes of this provision is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act) who is fully knowledgeable about the beneficiary's medical condition, and who would be responsible using the results of any examination performed in the overall management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem.

(b)Condition for coverage of screening fecal-occult blood tests. Medicare Part B pays for a screening fecal-occult blood test if it is ordered in writing by the beneficiary's attending physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist.

(c)Limitations on coverage of screening fecal-occult blood tests. (1) Payment may not be made for a screening fecal-occult blood test performed for an individual under age 45.

(2)For an individual 45 years of age or over, payment may be made for a screening fecal-occult blood test performed after at least 11 months have passed following the month in which the last screening fecal-occult blood test was performed.

(d)Condition for coverage of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening. Medicare Part B pays for a flexible sigmoidoscopy screening service if it is performed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act), or by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act and §§ 410.74, 410.75, and 410.76) who is authorized under State law to perform the examination.

(e)Limitations on coverage of screening flexible sigmoidoscopies. (1) Payment may not be made for a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy performed for an individual under age 45.

(2)For an individual 45 years of age or over, except as described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, payment may be made for screening flexible sigmoidoscopy after at least 47 months have passed following the month in which the last screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or, as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section, the last screening computed tomography colonography was performed.

(3)In the case of an individual who is not at high risk for colorectal cancer as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section but who has had a screening colonoscopy performed, payment may be made for a screening flexible sigmoidosocopy only after at least 119 months have passed following the month in which the last screening colonoscopy was performed.

(f)Condition for coverage of screening colonoscopies. Medicare Part B pays for a screening colonoscopy if it is performed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act).

(g)Limitations on coverage of screening colonoscopies. (1) Effective for services furnished on or after July 1, 2001, except as described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, payment may be made for a screening colonoscopy performed for an individual who is not at high risk for colorectal cancer as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, after at least 119 months have passed following the month in which the last screening colonoscopy was performed.

(2)Payment may be made for a screening colonoscopy performed for an individual who is at high risk for colorectal cancer as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, after at least 23 months have passed following the month in which the last screening colonoscopy was performed, or, as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section, the last screening computed tomography colonography was performed.

(3)In the case of an individual who is not at high risk for colorectal cancer as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section but who has had a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy performed, payment may be made for a screening colonoscopy only after at least 47 months have passed following the month in which the last screening flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed.

(h)Conditions for coverage of screening computed tomography colonography. Medicare Part B pays for a screening computed tomography colonography if it is ordered in writing by the beneficiary's attending physician who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act); or by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act).

(i)Limitations on coverage of screening computed tomography colonography. (1) In the case of an individual age 45 or over who is not at high risk of colorectal cancer, payment may be made for a screening computed tomography colonography performed after at least 59 months have passed following the month in which the last screening computed tomography colonography was performed or 47 months have passed following the month in which the last screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or screening colonoscopy was performed.

(2)In the case of an individual who is at high risk for colorectal cancer, payment may be made for a screening computed tomography colonography performed after at least 23 months have passed following the month in which the last screening computed tomography colonography or the last screening colonoscopy was performed.

(j)Expansion of coverage of colorectal cancer screening tests. Effective January 1, 2022, colorectal cancer screening tests include a planned screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or screening colonoscopy that involves the removal of tissue or other matter or other procedure furnished in connection with, as a result of, and in the same clinical encounter as the screening test.

(k)A complete colorectal cancer screening. Effective January 1, 2025, colorectal cancer screening tests include a follow-on screening colonoscopy after a Medicare covered non-invasive stool-based colorectal cancer screening test or blood-based biomarker colorectal cancer screening test returns a positive result. A follow-on screening colonoscopy in the context of a complete colorectal cancer screening is not subject to the frequency limitations for colorectal cancer screening in paragraphs (g)(2) or (3) of this section.

410.38Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS): Scope and conditions.#

(a)General scope. Medicare Part B pays for durable medical equipment, including ventilators, oxygen equipment, hospital beds, and wheelchairs, if the equipment is used in the patient's home or in an institution that is used as a home.

(b)Institutions that may not qualify as the patient's home. An institution that is used as a home may not be a hospital or a CAH or a SNF as defined in sections 1861(e)(1), 1861(mm)(1) and 1819(a)(1) of the Act, respectively.

(c)Definitions. As used in this section:

(1)Physician has the same meaning as in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act.

(2)Treating practitioner means physician as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act, or physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist, as those terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act.

(3)DMEPOS supplier means an entity with a valid Medicare supplier number, including an entity that furnishes items through the mail.

(4)Written Order/Prescription is a written communication from a treating practitioner that documents the need for a beneficiary to be provided an item of DMEPOS.

(5)Face-to-face encounter is an in-person or telehealth encounter between the treating practitioner and the beneficiary.

(6)Power mobility device (PMD) means a covered item of durable medical equipment that is in a class of wheelchairs that includes a power wheelchair (a four-wheeled motorized vehicle whose steering is operated by an electronic device or a joystick to control direction and turning) or a power-operated vehicle (a three or four-wheeled motorized scooter that is operated by a tiller) that a beneficiary uses in the home.

(7)Master List of DMEPOS items Potentially Subject to Face-To-Face Encounter and Written Orders Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements, also referred to as “Master List,” are items of DMEPOS that CMS has identified in accordance with sections 1834(a)(11)(B) and 1834(a)(15) of the Act. The criteria for this list are specified in § 414.234 of this chapter. The Master List shall serve as a library of DMEPOS items from which items may be selected for inclusion on Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List and/or the Required Prior Authorization List.

(8)Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List is a list of DMEPOS items selected from the Master List and subject to the requirements of a Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery. The list of items is published in the Federal Register and posted on the CMS website. The list is effective no less than 60 days following its publication. When selecting items from the Master List, CMS may consider factors such as operational limitations, item utilization, cost-benefit analysis, emerging trends, vulnerabilities identified in official agency reports, or other analysis.

(d)Conditions of Payment. The requirements described in this paragraph (d) are conditions of payment applicable to DMEPOS items.

(1)The date the delivery/shipping service label is created; or

(i)Elements. A written order/prescription must include the following elements:

(A)Beneficiary Name or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).

(B)General Description of the item.

(C)Quantity to be dispensed, if applicable.

(D)Order Date.

(E)Treating Practitioner Name or National Provider Identifier (NPI).

(F)Treating Practitioner Signature.

(ii)Timing of the Written Order/Prescription.

(A)For PMDs and other DMEPOS items selected for inclusion on the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List, the written order/prescription must be communicated to the supplier prior to delivery.

(B)For all other DMEPOS, the written order/prescription must be communicated to the supplier prior to claim submission.

(2)The date that the item is retrieved for delivery. These dates must not demonstrate significant variation.

(i)The encounter must be used for the purpose of gathering subjective and objective information associated with diagnosing, treating, or managing a clinical condition for which the DMEPOS is ordered.

(ii)If it is a telehealth encounter, the requirements of §§ 410.78 and 414.65 of this chapter must be met.

(3)Documentation: A supplier must maintain the written order/prescription and the supporting documentation provided by the treating practitioner and make them available to CMS and its agents upon request.

(i)Upon request by CMS or its agents, a supplier must submit additional documentation to CMS or its agents to support and/or substantiate the medical necessity for the DMEPOS item.

(ii)The face-to-face encounter must be documented in the pertinent portion of the medical record (for example, history, physical examination, diagnostic tests, summary of findings, progress notes, treatment plans or other sources of information that may be appropriate). The supporting documentation must include subjective and objective beneficiary specific information used for diagnosing, treating, or managing a clinical condition for which the DMEPOS is ordered.

(4)Refills—(i) Definitions. As used in this paragraph (d): Date of service (for refilled items) means either—

(e)Suspension of face-to-face encounter and written order prior to delivery requirements. CMS may suspend face-to-face encounter and written order prior to delivery requirements generally or for a particular item or items at any time and without undertaking rulemaking, except those items for which inclusion on the Master List was statutorily imposed.

(ii)Documentation. The DMEPOS supplier must document contact with the beneficiary or their representative to verify the refill is needed. This documentation must include both of the following:

(A)Evidence of the beneficiary or their representative's affirmative response of the need for supplies, which should be obtained as close to the expected end of the current supply as possible. Contact and affirmative response must be within 30 calendar days from the expected end of the current supply.

(B)(1) For shipped items, the beneficiary name, date of contact, the item requested, and an affirmative response from the beneficiary, indicative of the need for refill, prior to dispensing the product; or

(2)For items obtained in-person from a retail store, the delivery slip signed by the beneficiary or their representative or a copy of the itemized sales receipt is sufficient documentation of a request for refill.

(iii)Delivery of DMEPOS items provided on a recurring basis. The date of service for DMEPOS items provided on a recurring basis must be no earlier than 10 calendar days before the expected end of the current supply.

410.39Prostate cancer screening tests: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Prostate cancer screening tests means any of the following procedures furnished to an individual for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer:

(i)A screening digital rectal examination.

(ii)A screening prostate-specific antigen blood test.

(iii)For years beginning after 2002, other procedures CMS finds appropriate for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer, taking into account changes in technology and standards of medical practice, availability, effectiveness, costs, and other factors CMS considers appropriate.

(2)A screening digital rectal examination means a clinical examination of an individual's prostate for nodules or other abnormalities of the prostate.

(3)A screening prostate-specific antigen blood test means a test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in an individual's blood.

(4)A physician for purposes of this provision means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act) who is fully knowledgeable about the beneficiary, and who would be responsible for explaining the results of the screening examination or test.

(5)A physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife for purposes of this provision means a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife (as defined in sections 1861(aa) and 1861(gg) of the Act) who is fully knowledgeable about the beneficiary, and who would be responsible for explaining the results of the screening examination or test.

(b)Condition for coverage of screening digital rectal examinations. Medicare Part B pays for a screening digital rectal examination if it is performed by the beneficiary's physician, or by the beneficiary's physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife as defined in paragraphs (a)(4) or (a)(5) of this section who is authorized to perform this service under State law.

(c)Limitation on coverage of screening digital rectal examinations. (1) Payment may not be made for a screening digital rectal examination performed for a man age 50 or younger.

(2)For an individual over 50 years of age, payment may be made for a screening digital rectal examination only if the man has not had such an examination paid for by Medicare during the preceding 11 months following the month in which his last Medicare-covered screening digital rectal examination was performed.

(d)Condition for coverage of screening prostate-specific antigen blood tests. Medicare Part B pays for a screening prostate-specific antigen blood test if it is ordered by the beneficiary's physician, or by the beneficiary's physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife as defined in paragraphs (a)(4) or (a)(5) of this section who is authorized to order this test under State law.

(e)Limitation on coverage of screening prostate-specific antigen blood test. (1) Payment may not be made for a screening prostate-specific antigen blood test performed for a man age 50 or younger.

(2)For an individual over 50 years of age, payment may be made for a screening prostate-specific antigen blood test only if the man has not had such an examination paid for by Medicare during the preceding 11 months following the month in which his last Medicare-covered screening prostate-specific antigen blood test was performed.

410.40Coverage of ambulance services.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply: Non-physician certification statement means a statement signed and dated by an individual which certifies that the medical necessity provisions of paragraph (e)(1) of this section are met and who meets all of the criteria in paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this definition. The statement need not be a stand-alone document and no specific format or title is required.

(b)Basic rules. Medicare Part B covers ambulance services if the following conditions are met:

(1)The supplier meets the applicable vehicle, staff, and billing and reporting requirements of § 410.41 and the service meets the medical necessity and origin and destination requirements of paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.

(2)Medicare Part A payment is not made directly or indirectly for the services.

(c)Levels of service. Medicare covers the following levels of ambulance service, which are defined in § 414.605 of this chapter:

(1)Basic life support (BLS) (emergency and nonemergency).

(2)Advanced life support, level 1 (ALS1) (emergency and nonemergency).

(3)Advanced life support, level 2 (ALS2).

(4)Paramedic ALS intercept (PI).

(5)Specialty care transport (SCT).

(6)Fixed wing transport (FW).

(7)Rotary wing transport (RW).

(d)Paramedic ALS intercept services. Paramedic ALS intercept services must meet the following requirements:

(1)Be furnished in an area that is designated as a rural area by any law or regulation of the State or that is located in a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent Goldsmith Modification). (The Goldsmith Modification is a methodology to identify small towns and rural areas within large metropolitan counties that are isolated from central areas by distance or other features.)

(2)Be furnished under contract with one or more volunteer ambulance services that meet the following conditions:

(i)Are certified to furnish ambulance services as required under § 410.41.

(ii)Furnish services only at the BLS level.

(iii)Be prohibited by State law from billing for any service.

(3)Be furnished by a paramedic ALS intercept supplier that meets the following conditions:

(i)Is certified to furnish ALS services as required in § 410.41(b)(2).

(ii)Bills all the beneficiaries who receive ALS intercept services from the entity, regardless of whether or not those beneficiaries are Medicare beneficiaries.

(e)Medical necessity requirements—(1) General rule. Medicare covers ambulance services, including fixed wing and rotary wing ambulance services, only if they are furnished to a beneficiary whose medical condition is such that other means of transportation are contraindicated. The beneficiary's condition must require both the ambulance transportation itself and the level of service provided in order for the billed service to be considered medically necessary. Nonemergency transportation by ambulance is appropriate if either: the beneficiary is bed-confined, and it is documented that the beneficiary's condition is such that other methods of transportation are contraindicated; or, if his or her medical condition, regardless of bed confinement, is such that transportation by ambulance is medically required. Thus, bed confinement is not the sole criterion in determining the medical necessity of ambulance transportation. It is one factor that is considered in medical necessity determinations. For a beneficiary to be considered bed-confined, the following criteria must be met:

(f)Origin and destination requirements. Medicare covers the following ambulance transportation:

(1)From any point of origin to the nearest hospital, CAH, rural emergency hospital (REH), or SNF that is capable of furnishing the required level and type of care for the beneficiary's illness or injury. The hospital or CAH or REH must have available the type of physician or physician specialist needed to treat the beneficiary's condition.

(2)From a hospital, CAH, REH, or SNF to the beneficiary's home.

(3)From a SNF to the nearest supplier of medically necessary services not available at the SNF where the beneficiary is a resident, including the return trip.

(4)For a beneficiary who is receiving renal dialysis for treatment of ESRD, from the beneficiary's home to the nearest facility that furnishes renal dialysis, including the return trip.

(5)During a Public Health Emergency, as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, a ground ambulance transport from any point of origin to a destination that is equipped to treat the condition of the patient consistent with any applicable state or local Emergency Medical Services protocol that governs the destination location. Such destinations include, but are not limited to, alternative sites determined to be part of a hospital, critical access hospital, REH (effective January 1, 2023), or skilled nursing facility, community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, physician offices, urgent care facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, any location furnishing dialysis services outside of an ESRD facility when an ESRD facility is not available, and the beneficiary's home.

(g)Specific limits on coverage of ambulance services outside the United States. If services are furnished outside the United States, Medicare Part B covers ambulance transportation to a foreign hospital only in conjunction with the beneficiary's admission for medically necessary inpatient services as specified in subpart H of part 424 of this chapter.

(i)The beneficiary is unable to get up from bed without assistance.

(ii)The beneficiary is unable to ambulate.

(A)By the beneficiary's attending physician; or

(B)By the hospital or facility where the beneficiary is being treated and from which the beneficiary is transported;

(iii)Is among the following individuals, with respect to whom all Medicare regulations and all applicable State licensure laws apply:

(A)Physician assistant (PA).

(B)Nurse practitioner (NP).

(C)Clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

(D)Registered nurse (RN).

(E)Licensed practical nurse (LPN).

(F)Social worker.

(G)Case manager.

(H)Discharge planner. Physician certification statement means a statement signed and dated by the beneficiary's attending physician which certifies that the medical necessity provisions of paragraph (e)(1) of this section are met. The statement need not be a stand-alone document and no specific format or title is required.

(i)For a resident of a facility who is under the care of a physician if the ambulance provider or supplier obtains a physician certification statement within 48 hours after the transport.

(ii)For a beneficiary residing at home or in a facility who is not under the direct care of a physician. A physician certification is not required.

(3)Special rule for nonemergency ambulance services that are either unscheduled or that are scheduled on a nonrepetitive basis. Medicare covers medically necessary nonemergency ambulance services that are either unscheduled or that are scheduled on a nonrepetitive basis under one of the following circumstances:

(iii)If the ambulance provider or supplier is unable to obtain a signed physician certification statement from the beneficiary's attending physician, a non-physician certification statement must be obtained.

(2)Special rule for nonemergency, scheduled, repetitive ambulance services. (i) Medicare covers medically necessary nonemergency, scheduled, repetitive ambulance services if the ambulance provider or supplier, before furnishing the service to the beneficiary, obtains a physician certification statement dated no earlier than 60 days before the date the service is furnished.

(iv)If the ambulance provider or supplier is unable to obtain the required physician or non-physician certification statement within 21 calendar days following the date of the service, the ambulance provider or supplier must document its attempts to obtain the requested certification and may then submit the claim. Acceptable documentation includes a signed return receipt from the U.S. Postal Service or other similar service that evidences that the ambulance supplier attempted to obtain the required signature from the beneficiary's attending physician or other individual named in paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section.

(v)In all cases, the provider or supplier must keep appropriate documentation on file and, upon request, present it to the contractor. The presence of the physician or non-physician certification statement or signed return receipt does not alone demonstrate that the ambulance transport was medically necessary. All other program criteria must be met in order for payment to be made.

410.41Requirements for ambulance providers and suppliers.#

(a)Vehicle. A vehicle used as an ambulance must meet the following requirements:

(1)Be specially designed to respond to medical emergencies or provide acute medical care to transport the sick and injured and comply with all State and local laws governing an emergency transportation vehicle.

(2)Be equipped with emergency warning lights and sirens, as required by State or local laws.

(3)Be equipped with telecommunications equipment as required by State or local law to include, at a minimum, one two-way voice radio or wireless telephone.

(4)Be equipped with a stretcher, linens, emergency medical supplies, oxygen equipment, and other lifesaving emergency medical equipment as required by State or local laws.

(b)Vehicle staff. A vehicle furnishing ambulance services must be staffed by at least two people who meet the requirements of state and local laws where the services are being furnished, and at least one of the staff members must, for:

(1)BLS vehicles. (i) Be certified at a minimum as an emergency medical technician-basic by the State or local authority where the services are furnished; and

(c)Billing and reporting requirements. An ambulance supplier must comply with the following requirements:

(1)Bill for ambulance services using CMS-designated procedure codes to describe origin and destination and indicate on claims form that the physician certification statement or non-physician certification statement is on file, if required.

(2)Upon a carrier's request, complete and return the ambulance supplier form designated by CMS and provide the Medicare carrier with documentation of compliance with emergency vehicle and staff licensure and certification requirements in accordance with State and local laws.

(3)Upon a carrier's request, provide additional information and documentation as required.

(ii)Be certified as a paramedic or an emergency medical technician, by the State or local authority where the services are being furnished, to perform one or more ALS services.

(2)ALS vehicles. (i) Meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and

410.42Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.#

(a)General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, Medicare Part B does not pay for any item or service that is furnished to a hospital outpatient (as defined in § 410.2) during an encounter (as defined in § 410.2) by an entity other than the hospital unless the hospital has an arrangement (as defined in § 409.3 of this chapter) with that entity to furnish that particular service to its patients. As used in this paragraph, the term “hospital” includes a CAH.

(b)Exception. The limitations stated in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to the following services:

(1)Physician services that meet the requirements of § 415.102(a) of this chapter for payment on a fee schedule basis.

(2)Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act.

(3)Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act.

(4)Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act.

(5)Qualified psychologist services, as defined in section 1861(ii) of the Act.

(6)Services of an anesthetist, as defined in § 410.69.

(7)Services furnished to SNF residents as defined in § 411.15(p) of this chapter.

410.43Partial hospitalization services: Conditions and exclusions.#

(a)Partial hospitalization services are services that—

(1)Are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition;

(2)Are reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level and to prevent relapse or hospitalization;

(3)Are furnished in accordance with a physician certification and plan of care as specified under § 424.24(e) of this chapter; and

(4)Include any of the following:

(i)Individual and group therapy with physicians or psychologists or other mental health professionals (including substance use disorder professionals) to the extent authorized under State law.

(ii)Occupational therapy requiring the skills of a qualified occupational therapist, provided by an occupational therapist, or under appropriate supervision of a qualified occupational therapist by an occupational therapy assistant as specified in part 484 of this chapter.

(iii)Services of social workers, trained psychiatric nurses, and other staff trained to work with psychiatric patients (including patients with substance use disorder).

(iv)Drugs and biologicals furnished for therapeutic purposes, subject to the limitations specified in § 410.29.

(v)Individualized activity therapies that are not primarily recreational or diversionary.

(vi)Family counseling, the primary purpose of which is treatment of the individual's condition.

(vii)Patient training and education, to the extent the training and educational activities are closely and clearly related to the individual's care and treatment.

(viii)Diagnostic services.

(b)The following services are separately covered and not paid as partial hospitalization services:

(1)Physician services that meet the requirements of § 415.102(a) of this chapter for payment on a fee schedule basis.

(2)Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act.

(3)Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act.

(4)Qualified psychologist services, as defined in section 1861(ii) of the Act.

(5)Services furnished to SNF residents as defined in § 411.15(p) of this chapter.

(c)Partial hospitalization programs are intended for patients who—

(1)Require a minimum of 20 hours per week of therapeutic services as evidenced in their plan of care;

(2)Are likely to benefit from a coordinated program of services and require more than isolated sessions of outpatient treatment;

(3)Do not require 24-hour care;

(4)Have an adequate support system while not actively engaged in the program;

(5)Have a mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis;

(6)Are not judged to be dangerous to self or others; and

(7)Have the cognitive and emotional ability to participate in the active treatment process and can tolerate the intensity of the partial hospitalization program.

410.44Intensive outpatient services: Conditions and exclusions.#

(a)Intensive outpatient services are services that—

(1)Are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition;

(2)Are reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level and to prevent relapse or hospitalization;

(3)Are furnished in accordance with a physician certification and plan of care as specified under § 424.24(d) of this chapter; and

(4)Include any of the following:

(i)Individual and group therapy with physicians or psychologists or other mental health professionals (including substance use disorder professionals) to the extent authorized under State law.

(iii)Services of social workers, trained psychiatric nurses, and other staff trained to work with psychiatric patients (including patients with substance use disorder).

(iv)Drugs and biologicals furnished for therapeutic purposes, subject to the limitations specified in § 410.29.

(v)Individualized activity therapies that are not primarily recreational or diversionary.

(vi)Family counseling, the primary purpose of which is treatment of the individual's condition.

(vii)Patient training and education, to the extent the training and educational activities are closely and clearly related to the individual's care and treatment.

(viii)Diagnostic services.

(b)The following services are separately covered and not paid as intensive outpatient services:

(1)Physician services that meet the requirements of § 415.102(a) of this chapter for payment on a fee schedule basis.

(2)Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act.

(3)Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act.

(4)Qualified psychologist services, as defined in section 1861(ii) of the Act.

(5)Services furnished to SNF residents as defined in § 411.15(p) of this chapter.

(c)Intensive outpatient programs are intended for patients who—

(1)Require a minimum of 9 hours per week of therapeutic services as evidenced in their plan of care;

(2)Are likely to benefit from a coordinated program of services and require more than isolated sessions of outpatient treatment;

(3)Do not require 24-hour care;

(4)Have an adequate support system while not actively engaged in the program;

(5)Have a mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis;

(6)Are not judged to be dangerous to self or others; and

(7)Have the cognitive and emotional ability to participate in the active treatment process and can tolerate the intensity of the intensive outpatient program.

410.45Rural health clinic services: Scope and conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for the following rural health clinic services, if they are furnished in accordance with the requirements and conditions specified in part 405, subpart X, and part 491 of this chapter:

(1)Physicians' services.

(2)Services and supplies furnished as an incident to physicians' professional services.

(3)Nurse practitioner and physician assistant services.

(4)Services and supplies furnished as an incident to nurse practitioners' or physician assistants' services.

(5)Visiting nurse services.

(b)Medicare pays for rural health clinic services when they are furnished at the clinic, at a hospital or other medical facility, or at the beneficiary's place of residence.

410.46Physician and other practitioner services furnished in or at the direction of an IHS or Indian tribal hospital or clinic: Scope and conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays, in accordance with the physician fee schedule, for services furnished in or at the direction of a hospital or outpatient clinic (provider-based or free-standing) that is operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS) or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act). These services are subject to the same situations, terms, and conditions that would apply if the services were furnished in or at the direction of a hospital or clinic that is not operated by IHS or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization. Payments include health professional shortage areas incentive payments when the requirements for these incentive payments in § 414.42 of this chapter are met.

(b)Payment is not made under this section to the extent that Medicare otherwise pays for the same services under other provisions.

(c)Payment is made under these provisions for the following services:

(1)Services for which payment is made under the physician fee schedule in accordance with part 414 of this chapter.

(2)Services furnished by non-physician practitioners for which payment under Part B is made under the physician fee schedule.

(3)Services furnished by a physical therapist or occupational therapist, for which payment under Part B is made under the physician fee schedule.

(d)Payments under these provisions will be paid to the IHS or tribal hospital or clinic.

410.47Pulmonary rehabilitation program: Conditions for coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section: Individualized treatment plan means a written plan tailored to each individual patient that includes all of the following:

(b)General rule—(1) Covered conditions. Medicare Part B covers pulmonary rehabilitation for beneficiaries:

(e)Limitations on coverage: The number of pulmonary rehabilitation sessions are limited to a maximum of 2 1-hour sessions per day for up to 36 sessions over up to 36 weeks with the option for an additional 36 sessions over an extended period of time if approved by the Medicare Administrative Contractor.

(f)Effective date. Coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation program services is effective January 1, 2010.

(i)With moderate to very severe COPD (defined as GOLD classification II, III and IV), when referred by the physician treating the chronic respiratory disease;

(ii)Who have had confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and experience persistent symptoms that include respiratory dysfunction for at least four weeks;

(c)Medical director standards. The physician responsible for a pulmonary rehabilitation program is identified as the medical director. The medical director, in consultation with staff, is involved in directing the progress of individuals in the program and must possess all of the following:

(1)Expertise in the management of individuals with respiratory pathophysiology.

(2)Cardiopulmonary training in basic life support or advanced cardiac life support.

(3)Be licensed to practice medicine in the State in which the pulmonary rehabilitation program is offered.

(d)Supervising practitioner standards. Physicians or nonphysician practitioners acting as the supervising practitioner must possess all of the following:

(1)Expertise in the management of individuals with respiratory pathophysiology.

(2)Cardiopulmonary training in basic life support or advanced cardiac life support.

(i)Physician-prescribed exercise during each pulmonary rehabilitation session.

(ii)All settings must have the following:

(A)A physician or nonphysician practitioner immediately available and accessible for medical consultations and emergencies at all times when items and services are being furnished under the program. This provision is satisfied if the physician or nonphysician practitioner meets the requirements for direct supervision for physician office services, at § 410.26 of this subpart; and for hospital outpatient services at § 410.27 of this subpart.

(B)The necessary cardio-pulmonary, emergency, diagnostic, and therapeutic life-saving equipment accepted by the medical community as medically necessary (for example, oxygen, cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment, and defibrillator) to treat chronic respiratory disease.

(iii)Psychosocial assessment.

(i)Evaluations, based on patient-centered outcomes, which must be measured by the physician or program staff at the beginning and end of the program. Evaluations measured by program staff must be considered by the physician in developing and/or reviewing individualized treatment plans.

(2)Components. Pulmonary rehabilitation must include all of the following:

(ii)Objective clinical measures of exercise performance and self-reported measures of shortness of breath and behavior. Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. Physician-prescribed exercise means aerobic exercise combined with other types of exercise (such as conditioning, breathing retraining, step, and strengthening) as determined to be appropriate for individual patients by a physician. Psychosocial assessment means an evaluation of an individual's mental and emotional functioning as it relates to the individual's rehabilitation or respiratory condition which includes an assessment of those aspects of an individual's family and home situation that affects the individual's rehabilitation treatment, and psychosocial evaluation of the individual's response to and rate of progress under the treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation means a physician or nonphysician practitioner supervised program for COPD and certain other chronic respiratory diseases designed to optimize physical and social performance and autonomy. Supervising practitioner means a physician or nonphysician practitioner that is immediately available and accessible for medical consultations and medical emergencies at all times items and services are being furnished to individuals under pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

(iv)Outcomes assessment.

(v)An individualized treatment plan detailing how components are utilized for each patient. The individualized treatment plan must be established, reviewed, and signed by a physician every 30 days.

(3)Settings. (i) Medicare Part B pays for pulmonary rehabilitation in the following settings:

(A)A physician's office.

(B)A hospital outpatient setting.

410.48Kidney disease education services.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section: Kidney disease patient education services means face-to-face educational services provided to patients with Stage IV chronic kidney disease. Physician means a physician as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. Qualified person means either of the following healthcare entities that meets the qualifications and requirements specified in this section to provide kidney disease patient education services—

(b)Covered beneficiaries. Medicare Part B covers outpatient kidney disease patient education services if the beneficiary meets all of the conditions and requirements of this subpart, including all of the following:

(1)Is diagnosed with Stage IV chronic kidney disease.

(2)Obtains a referral from the physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act) managing the beneficiary's kidney condition.

(c)Qualified person. (1) Medicare Part B covers outpatient kidney disease patient education services provided by a qualified person as defined in paragraph (a) of this section and must be able to properly receive Medicare payment under part 424 of this chapter.

(2)A qualified person does not include either of the following:

(i)A hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, home health agency or hospice if kidney disease patient education services are provided outside of a rural area as defined in § 412.64(b)(ii)(C) of this chapter unless the services are furnished in a hospital or critical access hospital that is treated as being in a rural area under § 412.103 of this chapter.

(ii)A renal dialysis facility, as defined in § 405.2102 of this chapter.

(d)Standards for content of kidney disease patient education services. The content of the kidney disease patient education services includes the following:

(1)The management of comorbidities including for the purpose of delaying the need for dialysis which includes, but not limited to, the following topics:

(i)Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

(ii)Prevention and treatment of diabetes.

(iii)Hypertension management.

(iv)Anemia management.

(v)Bone disease and disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism management.

(vi)Symptomatic neuropathy management.

(vii)Impairments in functioning and well-being.

(2)The prevention of uremic complications which includes, but not limited to, the following topics:

(i)Information on how the kidneys work and what happens when the kidneys fail.

(ii)Understanding if remaining kidney function can be protected, preventing disease progression, and realistic chances of survival.

(iii)Diet and fluid restrictions.

(iv)Medication review, including how each medication works, possible side effects and minimization of side effects, the importance of compliance, and informed decision-making if the patient decides not to take a specific drug.

(3)Therapeutic options, treatment modalities, and settings, including a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option and how the treatments replace the kidney, which includes, but not limited to, the following topics:

(i)Hemodialysis, both at home and in-facility.

(ii)Peritoneal dialysis (PD), including intermittent PD, continuous ambulatory PD, and continuous cycling PD, both at home and in-facility.

(iii)All dialysis access options for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

(iv)Transplantation.

(4)Opportunities for beneficiaries to actively participate in the choice of therapy and be tailored to meet the needs of the individual beneficiary involved which includes, but not limited to, the following topics:

(i)Physical symptoms.

(ii)Impact on family and social life.

(iii)Exercise.

(iv)The right to refuse treatment.

(v)Impact on work and finances.

(vi)The meaning of test results.

(vii)Psychological impact.

(5)Qualified persons must develop outcomes assessments designed to measure beneficiary knowledge about chronic kidney disease and its treatment.

(i)The outcomes assessments serve to assess program effectiveness of preparing the beneficiary to make informed decisions about their healthcare options related to chronic kidney disease.

(ii)The outcomes assessments serve to assess the program's effectiveness in meeting the communication needs of underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, persons with limited English proficiency, and persons with health literacy needs.

(iii)The assessment must be administered to the beneficiary during a kidney disease education session.

(iv)The outcomes assessments must be made available to CMS upon request.

(e)Limitations for coverage of kidney disease education services. (1) Medicare Part B makes payment for up to 6 sessions of kidney disease patient education services.

(2)A session is 1 hour long and may be provided individually or in group settings of 2 to 20 individuals who need not all be Medicare beneficiaries.

(f)Effective date. Medicare Part B covers kidney disease patient education services for dates of service on or after January 1, 2010.

(i)One of the following healthcare professionals who furnishes services for which payment may be made under the physician fee schedule:

(A)Physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act).

(B)Physician assistant as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act and § 410.74 of this subpart).

(C)Nurse practitioner as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act and § 410.75 of this subpart).

(D)Clinical nurse specialist (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Act and § 410.76 of this subpart),

(ii)(A) A hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, home health agency, or hospice that is located in a rural area as defined in § 412.64(b)(ii)(C) of this chapter; or

(B)A hospital or critical access hospital that is treated as being rural under § 412.103 of this chapter. Renal dialysis facility means a unit, which is approved to furnish dialysis service(s) directly to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, as defined in § 405.2102 of this chapter. Stage IV chronic kidney disease means kidney damage with a severe decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) quantitatively defined by a GFR value of 15-29 ml/min/1.73m 2, using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study formula.

410.49Cardiac rehabilitation program and intensive cardiac rehabilitation program: Conditions of coverage.#

(a)Definitions. As used in this section: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) means a physician or nonphysician practitioner supervised program that furnishes physician prescribed exercise, cardiac risk factor modification, psychosocial assessment, and outcomes assessment. Individualized treatment plan means a written plan tailored to each individual patient that includes all of the following:

(b)General rule—(1) Covered conditions. Medicare Part B covers cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation for beneficiaries who have experienced one or more of the following:

(e)Supervising practitioner standards. Physicians or nonphysician practitioners acting as the supervising practitioner must possess all of the following:

(1)Expertise in the management of individuals with cardiac pathophysiology.

(2)Cardiopulmonary training in basic life support or advanced cardiac life support.

(f)Limitations on coverage—(1) Cardiac rehabilitation. The number of cardiac rehabilitation sessions are limited to a maximum of 2 1-hour sessions per day for up to 36 sessions over up to 36 weeks with the option for an additional 36 sessions over an extended period of time if approved by the Medicare Administrative Contractor.

(2)Intensive cardiac rehabilitation. Intensive cardiac rehabilitation sessions are limited to 72 1-hour sessions (as defined in section 1848(b)(5) of the Act), up to 6 sessions per day, over a period of up to 18 weeks.

(i)An acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 12 months;

(ii)A coronary artery bypass surgery;

(c)Standards for an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program. (1) To be approved as an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, a program must demonstrate through peer-reviewed, published research that it has accomplished one or more of the following for its patients:

(i)Low density lipoprotein.

(ii)Triglycerides.

(iii)Body mass index.

(2)An intensive cardiac rehabilitation program must also demonstrate through peer-reviewed published research that it accomplished a statistically significant reduction in 5 or more of the following measures for patients from their levels before cardiac rehabilitation services to after cardiac rehabilitation services:

(iv)Systolic blood pressure.

(v)Diastolic blood pressure.

(vi)The need for cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes medications.

(3)A list of approved intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs, identified through the national coverage determination process, will be posted to the CMS Web site and listed in the Federal Register.

(4)All prospective intensive cardiac rehabilitation sites must apply to enroll as an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program site using the designated forms as specified at § 424.510 of this chapter. For purposes of appealing an adverse determination concerning site approval, an intensive cardiac rehabilitation site is considered a supplier (or prospective supplier) as defined in § 498.2 of this chapter.

(d)Medical director standards. The physician responsible for a cardiac rehabilitation program or intensive cardiac rehabilitation program is identified as the medical director. The medical director, in consultation with staff, is involved in directing the progress of individuals in the program and must possess all of the following:

(1)Expertise in the management of individuals with cardiac pathophysiology.

(2)Cardiopulmonary training in basic life support or advanced cardiac life support.

(3)Be licensed to practice medicine in the State in which the cardiac rehabilitation program is offered.

(i)Physician-prescribed exercise each day cardiac rehabilitation items and services are furnished.

(ii)All settings must have a physician or nonphysician practitioner immediately available and accessible for medical consultations and emergencies at all times when items and services are being furnished under the program. This provision is satisfied if the physician or nonphysician practitioner meets the requirements for direct supervision for physician office services, at § 410.26 of this subpart; and for hospital outpatient services at § 410.27 of this subpart.

(iii)Psychosocial assessment.

(ii)Objective clinical measures of exercise performance and self-reported measures of exertion and behavior. Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act. Physician-prescribed exercise means aerobic exercise combined with other types of exercise (such as strengthening and stretching) as determined to be appropriate for individual patients by a physician. Psychosocial assessment means an evaluation of an individual's mental and emotional functioning as it relates to the individual's rehabilitation which includes an assessment of those aspects of an individual's family and home situation that affects the individual's rehabilitation treatment, and psychosocial evaluation of the individual's response to and rate of progress under the treatment plan. Supervising practitioner means a physician or nonphysician practitioner that is immediately available and accessible for medical consultations and medical emergencies at all times items and services are being furnished to individuals under cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs.

(iv)Outcomes assessment.

(v)An individualized treatment plan detailing how components are utilized for each patient. The individualized treatment plan must be established, reviewed, and signed by a physician every 30 days.

(3)Settings.—(i) Medicare Part B pays for cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation in the following settings:

(A)A physician's office.

(B)A hospital outpatient setting.

(vi)A heart or heart-lung transplant.

(vii)Stable, chronic heart failure defined as patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 percent or less and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV symptoms despite being on optimal heart failure therapy for at least 6 weeks, on or after February 18, 2014 for cardiac rehabilitation and on or after February 9, 2018 for intensive cardiac rehabilitation; or

(viii)Other cardiac conditions as specified through a national coverage determination (NCD). The NCD process may also be used to specify non-coverage of a cardiac condition for ICR if coverage is not supported by clinical evidence.

(2)Components. Cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation must include all of the following:

410.50Institutional dialysis services and supplies: Scope and conditions.#

Medicare Part B pays for the following institutional dialysis services and supplies if they are furnished in approved ESRD facilities:

(a)All services, items, supplies, and equipment necessary to perform dialysis and drugs medically necessary and the treatment of the patient for ESRD and, as of January 1, 2011, renal dialysis services as defined in § 413.171 of this chapter.

(b)Routine dialysis monitoring tests (i.e., hematocrit and clotting time) used by the facility to monitor the patients' fluids incident to each dialysis treatment, when performed by qualified staff of the facility under the direction of a physician, as provided in § 494.130 of this chapter, even if the facility does not meet the conditions for coverage of services of independent laboratories in part 494 of this chapter.

(c)Routine diagnostic tests.

(d)Epoetin (EPO) and its administration.

410.52Home dialysis services, supplies, and equipment: Scope and conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for the following services, supplies, and equipment furnished to a patient with ESRD or an individual with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) as defined in § 413.371 of this chapter in his or her home:

(1)Purchase or rental, installation, and maintenance of all dialysis equipment necessary for home dialysis, and reconditioning of this equipment. Dialysis equipment includes, but is not limited to, artificial kidney and automated peritoneal dialysis machines, and support equipment such as blood pumps, bubble detectors, and other alarm systems.

(2)Items and supplies required for dialysis, including (but not limited to) dialyzers, syringes and needles, forceps, scissors, scales, sphygmomanometer with cuff and stethoscope, alcohol wipes, sterile drapes, and rubber gloves.

(3)Home dialysis support services furnished by an approved ESRD facility, including periodic monitoring of the patient's home adaptation, emergency visits by qualified provider or facility personnel, any of the tests specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of § 410.50, personnel costs associated with the installation and maintenance of dialysis equipment, testing and appropriate treatment of water, and ordering of supplies on an ongoing basis.

(4)On or after July 1, 1991, erythropoeisis-stimulating agents for use at home by a home dialysis patient and, on or after January 1, 1994, by a dialysis patient, if it has been determined, in accordance with § 494.90(a)(4) of this chapter, that the patient is competent to use the drug safely and effectively.

(b)Home dialysis support services specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section must be furnished in accordance with a written treatment plan that is prepared and reviewed by a team consisting of the individual's physician and other qualified professionals. (Section 494.90 of this chapter contains details on patient plans of care).

410.53Marriage and family therapist services.#

(a)Definition: marriage and family therapist. For purposes of this part, a marriage and family therapist is defined as an individual who -

(1)Possesses a master's or doctor's degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist pursuant to State law of the State in which such individual furnishes the services defined as marriage and family therapist services;

(2)After obtaining such degree, has performed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of post master's degree clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy in an appropriate setting such as a hospital, SNF, private practice, or clinic; and

(3)Is licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist by the State in which the services are performed.

(b)Covered marriage and family therapist services. Medicare Part B covers marriage and family therapist services.

(1)Definition: marriage and family therapist services means services furnished by a marriage and family therapist (as defined in paragraph (a) of this section) for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital), which the marriage and family therapist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which such services are furnished. The services must be of a type that would be covered if they were furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's professional service and must meet the requirements of this section.

(2)Exception. The following services are not marriage and family therapist services for purposes of billing Medicare Part B under the MFT and MHC statutory benefit category:

(i)Services furnished by a marriage and family therapist to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating hospital.

(ii)[Reserved]

(c)Prohibited billing. (1) A marriage and family therapist may not bill Medicare for the services specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2)A marriage and family therapist or an attending or primary care physician may not bill Medicare or the beneficiary for the consultation that is required under paragraph(b)(2) of this section.

410.54Mental health counselor services.#

(a)Definition: mental health counselor. For purposes of this part, a mental health counselor is defined as an individual who—

(1)Possesses a master's or doctor's degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, professional counselor under the State law of the State in which such individual furnishes the services defined as mental health counselor services;

(2)After obtaining such a degree, has performed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of post master's degree clinical supervised experience in mental health counseling in an appropriate setting such as a hospital, SNF, private practice, or clinic; and

(3)Is licensed or certified as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, professional counselor by the State in which the services are performed.

(b)Covered mental health counselor services. Medicare Part B covers mental health counselor services.

(1)Definition: Mental health counselor services means services furnished by a mental health counselor (as defined in paragraph (a) of this section) for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital), which the mental health counselor is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which such services are furnished. The services must be of a type that would be covered if they were furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's professional service and must meet the requirements of this section.

(2)Exception. The following services are not mental health counselor services for purposes of billing Medicare Part B:

(i)Services furnished by a mental health counselor to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating hospital.

(ii)[Reserved]

(c)Prohibited billing. (1) A mental health counselor may not bill Medicare for the services specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2)A mental health counselor or an attending or primary care physician may not bill Medicare or the beneficiary for the consultation that is required under paragraph(b)(2) of this section.

410.55Services related to kidney donations: Conditions.#

Medicare Part B pays for medical and other health services covered under this subpart that are furnished in connection with a kidney donation—

(a)If the kidney is intended for an individual who has end-stage renal disease and is entitled to Medicare benefits; and

(b)Regardless of whether the donor is entitled to Medicare.

410.56Screening pelvic examinations.#

(a)Conditions for screening pelvic examinations. Medicare Part B pays for a screening pelvic examination (including a clinical breast examination) if it is performed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act), or by a certified nurse midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act), or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinic nurse specialist (as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Act) who is authorized under State law to perform the examination.

(b)Limits on coverage of screening pelvic examinations. The following limitations apply to coverage of screening pelvic examination services:

(1)General rule. Except as specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, payment may be made for a pelvic examination performed on an asymptomatic woman only if the individual has not had a pelvic examination paid for by Medicare during the preceding 23 months following the month in which her last Medicare-covered screening pelvic examination was performed.

(2)More frequent screening based on high-risk factors. Subject to the limitation as specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, payment may be made for a screening pelvic examination performed more frequently than once every 24 months if the test is performed by a physician or other practitioner specified in paragraph (a) of this section, and there is evidence that the woman is at high risk (on the basis of her medical history or other findings) of developing cervical cancer or vaginal cancer, as determined in accordance with the following risk factors:

(i)High risk factors for cervical cancer:

(A)Early onset of sexual activity (under 16 years of age).

(B)Multiple sexual partners (five or more in a lifetime).

(C)History of a sexually transmitted disease (including HIV infection).

(D)Absence of three negative or any Pap smears within the previous 7 years.

(ii)High risk factor for vaginal cancer: DES (diethylstilbestrol)-exposed daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy.

(3)More frequent screening for women of childbearing age. Subject to the limitation as specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, payment may be made for a screening pelvic examination performed more frequently than once every 24 months if the test is performed by a physician or other practitioner as specified in paragraph (a) of this section for a woman of childbearing age who has had an examination that indicated the presence of cervical or vaginal cancer or other abnormality during any of the preceding 3 years. The term “woman of childbearing age” means a woman who is premenopausal, and has been determined by a physician, or a qualified practitioner, as specified in paragraph (a) of this section, to be of childbearing age, based on her medical history or other findings.

(4)Limitation applicable to women at high risk and those of childbearing age. Payment is not made for a screening pelvic examination for women considered to be at high risk (under any of the criteria described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section), or who qualify for coverage under the childbearing provision (under the criteria described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section) more frequently than once every 11 months after the month that the last screening pelvic examination covered by Medicare was performed.

410.57Preventive vaccines.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for the pneumococcal vaccine and its administration.

(b)Medicare Part B pays for the influenza virus vaccine and its administration.

(c)Medicare Part B pays for the COVID-19 vaccine (or monoclonal antibodies used for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19) and its administration.

(d)Medicare Part B pays for the Hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, as defined in § 410.63(a).

410.58Additional services to HMO and CMP enrollees.#

Services not usually covered under Medicare Part B may be covered as medical and other health services if they are furnished to an enrollee of an HMO or a CMP and the following conditions are met:

(a)The services are—

(1)Furnished by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner as defined in § 491.2 of this chapter, or are incident to services furnished by such a practitioner; or

(2)Furnished by a clinical psychologist as defined in § 417.416 of this chapter to an enrollee of an HMO or CMP that participates in Medicare under a risk-sharing contract, or are incident to those services.

(b)The services are services that would be covered under Medicare Part B if they were furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's professional services.

410.59Outpatient occupational therapy services: Conditions.#

(a)Basic rule. Except as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, Medicare Part B pays for outpatient occupational therapy services only if they are furnished by an individual meeting the qualifications in part 484 of this chapter for an occupational therapist or an appropriately supervised occupational therapy assistant but only under the following conditions:

(1)They are furnished to a beneficiary while he or she is under the care of a physician who is a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatric medicine.

(2)They are furnished under a written plan of treatment that meets the requirements of § 410.61.

(3)They are furnished—

(i)By a provider as defined in § 489.2 of this chapter, or by others under arrangements with, and under the supervision of, a provider; or

(ii)By, or under the general supervision (or as specified otherwise) of, an occupational therapist in private practice as described in paragraph (c) of this section; or

(iii)By, or incident to the service of, a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner when those professionals may perform occupational therapy services within the scope of State law. When an occupational therapy service is provided incident to the service of a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, by anyone other than a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, the service and the person who furnishes the service must meet the standards and conditions that apply to occupational therapy and occupational therapists, except that a license to practice occupational therapy in the State is not required.

(4)Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2020, for occupational therapy services described in paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section, as applicable—

(i)Claims for services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant must include the prescribed modifier; and

(ii)Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2022, claims for such services that include the modifier and for which payment is made under sections 1848 or 1834(k) of the Act are paid an amount equal to 85 percent of the amount of payment otherwise applicable for the service.

(iii)For purposes of this paragraph, “furnished in whole or in part” means when the occupational therapy assistant either:

(A)Furnishes all the minutes of a service exclusive of the occupational therapist; or

(B)Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iv) of this section, furnishes a portion of a service, or in the case of a 15-minute (or other time interval) timed code, a portion of a unit of service separately from the part furnished by the occupational therapist such that the minutes for that portion of a service (or unit of a service) furnished by the occupational therapist assistant exceed 10 percent of the total minutes for that service (or unit of a service).

(iv)Paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(B) of this section does not apply when determining whether the prescribed modifier applies to the last 15-minute unit of a service billed for a patient on a treatment day when the occupational therapist provides more than the midpoint of a 15-minute timed code, that is, 8 or more minutes, regardless of any minutes for the same service furnished by the occupational therapy assistant.

(v)Where there are two remaining 15-minute units to bill of the same service, and the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant each provided between 9 and 14 minutes of the service with a total time of at least 23 minutes and no more than 28 minutes, one unit of the service is billed with the prescribed modifier for the minutes furnished by the occupational therapy assistant and one unit is billed without the prescribed modifier for the service provided by the occupational therapist.

(b)Conditions for coverage of outpatient therapy services furnished to certain inpatients of a hospital or a CAH or SNF. Medicare Part B pays for outpatient occupational therapy services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital, CAH, or SNF who requires them but who has exhausted or is otherwise ineligible for benefit days under Medicare Part A.

(c)Special provisions for services furnished by occupational therapists in private practice—(1) Basic qualifications. In order to qualify under Medicare as a supplier of outpatient occupational therapy services, each individual occupational therapist in private practice must meet the following requirements:

(e)Annual limitation on incurred expenses. (1) Amount of limitation. (i) In 1999, 2000, and 2001, no more than $1,500 of allowable charges incurred in a calendar year for outpatient occupational therapy services are recognized incurred expenses.

(i)Be legally authorized (if applicable, licensed, certified, or registered) to engage in the private practice of occupational therapy by the State in which he or she practices, and practice only within the scope of his or her license, certification, or registration.

(ii)In 2002 and thereafter, the limitation is determined by increasing the limitation in effect in the previous calendar year by the increase in the Medicare Economic Index for the current year.

(d)Excluded services. No service is included as an outpatient occupational therapy service if it would not be included as an inpatient hospital service if furnished to a hospital or CAH inpatient.

(i)For 2012 through 2017, medical review applies to claims for services at or in excess of $3,700 of recognized incurred expenses as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section.

(A)For 2012, 2013, and 2014 all claims at and above the $3,700 medical review threshold are subject to medical review; and

(B)For 2015, 2016, and 2017 claims at and above the $3,700 medical review threshold are subject to a targeted medical review process.

(ii)For 2018 and subsequent years, a targeted medical review process applies when the accrued annual incurred expenses reach the following medical review threshold amounts:

(A)Beginning with 2018 and before 2028, $3,000;

(B)For 2028 and each year thereafter, the applicable medical review threshold is determined by increasing the medical review threshold in effect for the previous year (starting with $3,000 in 2027) by the increase in the Medicare Economic Index for the current year.

(iii)Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished by a physician or incident to a physician's service;

(iv)Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant or incident to their services; and

(2)Supervision of occupational therapy services. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (c)(2), occupational therapy services are performed by, or under the general supervision of, an occupational therapist in private practice. All services not performed personally by the therapist must be performed by employees of the practice, generally supervised by the therapist, and included in the fee for the therapist's services. Occupational therapy services may be performed by an occupational therapy assistant under the general supervision of the occupational therapist in private practice; services performed by an unenrolled occupational therapist must be under the direct supervision of the occupational therapist.

(v)Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished by a CAH directly or under arrangements, included in the amount of annual incurred expenses as if such services were furnished under section 1834(k)(1)(B) of the Act.

(2)For purposes of applying the KX modifier threshold, outpatient occupational therapy includes:

(3)A process for medical review of claims for outpatient occupational therapy services applies as follows:

410.60Outpatient physical therapy services: Conditions.#

(a)Basic rule. Except as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, Medicare Part B pays for outpatient physical therapy services only if they are furnished by an individual meeting the qualifications in part 484 of this chapter for a physical therapist or an appropriately supervised physical therapist assistant but only under the following conditions:

(1)They are furnished to a beneficiary while he or she is under the care of a physician who is a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatric medicine.

(2)They are furnished under a written plan of treatment that meets the requirements of § 410.61.

(3)They are furnished—

(i)By a provider as defined in § 489.2 of this chapter, or by others under arrangements with, and under the supervision of, a provider; or

(ii)By, or under the general supervision (or as specified otherwise) of, a physical therapist in private practice as described in paragraph (c) of this section; or

(iii)By, or incident to the service of, a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner when those professionals may perform physical therapy services under State law. When a physical therapy service is provided incident to the service of a physician, physician's assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, by anyone other than a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, the service and the person who furnishes the service must meet the standards and conditions that apply to physical therapy and physical therapists, except that a license to practice physical therapy in the State is not required.

(4)Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2020, for physical therapy services described in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section, as applicable—

(i)Claims for services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant must include the prescribed modifier; and

(iii)For purposes of this paragraph, “furnished in whole or in part” means when the physical therapist assistant either:

(A)Furnishes all the minutes of a service exclusive of the physical therapist; or

(B)Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iv) of this section, furnishes a portion of a service, or in the case of a 15-minute (or other time interval) timed code, a portion of a unit of service separately from the part furnished by the physical therapist such that the minutes for that portion of a service (or unit of a service) furnished by the physical therapist assistant exceed 10 percent of the total minutes for that service (or unit of a service).

(iv)Paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(B) of this section does not apply when determining whether the prescribed modifier applies to the last 15-minute unit of a service billed for a patient on a treatment day, when the physical therapist provides more than the midpoint of a 15-minute timed code, that is, 8 or more minutes, regardless of any minutes for the same service furnished by the physical therapist assistant.

(v)Where there are two remaining 15-minute units to bill of the same service, and the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant each provided between 9 and 14 minutes of the service with a total time of at least 23 minutes, one unit of the service is billed with the prescribed modifier for the minutes furnished by the physical therapist assistant and one unit is billed without the prescribed modifier for the service provided by the physical therapist.

(b)Condition for coverage of outpatient physical therapy services furnished to certain inpatients of a hospital or a CAH or SNF. Medicare Part B pays for outpatient physical therapy services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital, CAH, or SNF who requires them but who has exhausted or is otherwise + ineligible for benefit days under Medicare Part A.

(c)Special provisions for services furnished by physical therapists in private practice—(1) Basic qualifications. In order to qualify under Medicare as a supplier of outpatient physical therapy services, each individual physical therapist in private practice must meet the following requirements:

(e)Annual limitation on incurred expenses—(1) Amount of limitation. (i) In 1999, 2000, and 2001, no more than $1,500 of allowable charges incurred in a calendar year for outpatient physical therapy services are recognized incurred expenses.

(i)Be legally authorized (if applicable, licensed, certified, or registered) to engage in the private practice of physical therapy by the State in which he or she practices, and practice only within the scope of his or her license, certification, or registration.

(ii)In 2002 and thereafter, the limitation shall be determined by increasing the limitation in effect in the previous calendar year by the increase in the Medicare Economic Index for the current year.

(d)Excluded services. No service is included as an outpatient physical therapy service if it would not be included as an inpatient hospital service if furnished to a hospital or CAH inpatient.

(i)For 2012 through 2017, medical review applies to claims for services at or in excess of $3,700 of recognized incurred expenses as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section.

(A)For 2012, 2013, and 2014 all claims at and above the $3,700 medical review threshold are subject to medical review; and

(B)For 2015, 2016, and 2017 claims at and above the $3,700 medical review threshold are subject to a targeted medical review process.

(ii)For 2018 and subsequent years, a targeted medical review process when the accrued annual incurred expenses reach the following medical review threshold amounts:

(A)Beginning with 2018 and before 2028, $3,000;

(B)For 2028 and each year thereafter, the applicable medical review threshold is determined by increasing the medical review threshold in effect for the previous year (starting with $3,000 for 2017) by the increase in the Medicare Economic Index for the current year.

(iii)Outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services furnished by a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility;

(iv)Outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services furnished by a physician or incident to a physician's service;

(2)Supervision of physical therapy services. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (c)(2), physical therapy services are performed by, or under the general supervision of, a physical therapist in private practice. All services not performed personally by the therapist must be performed by employees of the practice, generally supervised by the therapist, and included in the fee for the therapist's services. Physical therapy services may be performed by a physical therapist assistant under the general supervision of the physical therapist in private practice; services performed by an unenrolled physical therapist must be under the direct supervision of the physical therapist.

(v)Outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services furnished by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant or incident to their services; and

(2)For purposes of applying the KX modifier threshold, outpatient physical therapy includes:

(vi)Outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services furnished by a CAH directly or under arrangements, included in the amount of annual incurred expenses as if such services were furnished and paid under section 1834(k)(1)(B) of the Act.

(3)A process for medical review of claims for physical therapy and speech-language pathology services applies as follows:

410.61Plan of treatment requirements for outpatient rehabilitation services.#

(a)Basic requirement. Outpatient rehabilitation services (including services furnished by a qualified physical or occupational therapist in private practice), must be furnished under a written plan of treatment that meets the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section.

(b)Establishment of the plan. The plan is established before treatment is begun by one of the following:

(1)A physician.

(2)A physical therapist who furnishes the physical therapy services.

(3)A speech-language pathologist who furnishes the speech-language pathology services.

(4)An occupational therapist who furnishes the occupational therapy services.

(5)A nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant.

(c)Content of the plan. The plan prescribes the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services to be furnished to the individual, and indicates the diagnosis and anticipated goals.

(d)Changes in the plan. Any changes in the plan—

(1)Are made in writing and signed by one of the following:

(i)The physician.

(ii)The physical therapist who furnishes the physical therapy services.

(iii)The occupational therapist that furnishes the occupational therapy services.

(iv)The speech-language pathologist who furnishes the speech-language pathology services.

(v)A registered professional nurse or a staff physician, in accordance with oral orders from the physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist who furnishes the services.

(vi)A nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant.

(2)The changes are incorporated in the plan immediately.

410.62Outpatient speech-language pathology services: Conditions and exclusions.#

(a)Basic rule. Except as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, Medicare Part B pays for outpatient speech-language pathology services only if they are furnished by an individual who meets the qualifications for a speech-language pathologist in § 484.115 of this chapter and only under the following conditions:

(1)They are furnished to a beneficiary while he or she is under the care of a physician who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

(2)They are furnished under a written plan of treatment that meets the requirements of § 410.61.

(3)They are furnished by one of the following:

(i)A provider as defined in § 489.2 of this chapter, or by others under arrangements with, and under the supervision of, a provider.

(ii)A speech-language pathologist in private practice as described in paragraph (c) of this section.

(iii)Incident to the service of, a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner when those professionals may perform speech-language pathology services under State law. When a speech-language pathology service is provided incident to the services of a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, by anyone other than a physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner, the service and the person who furnishes the service must meet the standards and conditions that apply to speech-language pathology and speech-language pathologists, except that a license to practice speech-language pathology services in the State is not required.

(b)Condition for coverage of outpatient speech-language pathology services furnished to certain inpatients of a hospital or a CAH or SNF. Medicare Part B pays for outpatient speech-language pathology services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital, CAH, or SNF who requires the services but has exhausted or is otherwise ineligible for benefit days under Medicare Part A.

(c)Special provisions for services furnished by speech-language pathologists in private practice—(1) Basic qualifications. In order to qualify under Medicare as a supplier of outpatient speech-language pathology services, each individual speech-language pathologist in private practice must meet the following requirements:

(i)Be legally authorized (if applicable, licensed, certified, or registered) to engage in the private practice of speech-language pathology by the State in which he or she practices, and practice only within the scope of his or her license and/or certification.

(ii)Engage in the private practice of speech-language pathology on a regular basis as an individual, in one of the following practice types: a solo practice, partnership, or group practice; or as an employee of one of these.

(d)Excluded services. No service is included as an outpatient speech-language pathology service if it is not included as an inpatient hospital service if furnished to a hospital or CAH inpatient.

(iii)Bill Medicare only for services furnished in one of the following:

(A)A speech-language pathologist's private practice office space that meets all of the following:

(1)The location(s) where the practice is operated, in the State(s) where the therapist (and practice, if applicable) is legally authorized to furnish services and during the hours that the therapist engages in practice at that location.

(2)The space must be owned, leased, or rented by the practice, and used for the exclusive purpose of operating the practice.

(B)A patient's home not including any institution that is a hospital, a CAH, or a SNF.

(iv)Treat individuals who are patients of the practice and for whom the practice collects fees for the services furnished.

410.63Hepatitis B vaccine and blood clotting factors: Conditions.#

Notwithstanding the exclusion from coverage of vaccines (see § 411.15 of this chapter) and self-administered drugs (see § 410.29), the following services are included as medical and other health services covered under § 410.10, subject to the specified conditions:

(a)Hepatitis B vaccine: Conditions. Effective January 1, 2025, hepatitis B vaccinations are reasonable and necessary for the prevention of illness for those individuals who are at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B as listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section:

(1)High risk groups. (i) End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients;

(b)Blood clotting factors: Conditions. Effective July 18, 1984, blood clotting factors that are self-administered and control bleeding for hemophilia patients competent to use these factors without medical or other supervision, and items related to the administration of those factors. Therapies that enable the body to produce clotting factor and do not directly integrate into the coagulation cascade are not themselves clotting factors. The amount of clotting factors covered under this provision is determined by the carrier based on the historical utilization pattern or profile developed by the carrier for each patient, and based on consideration of the need for a reasonable reserve supply to be kept in the home in the event of emergency or unforeseen circumstance.

(c)Blood clotting factors: Furnishing Fee. (1) Effective January 1, 2005, a furnishing fee of $0.14 per unit of clotting factor is paid to entities that furnish blood clotting factors, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, unless the costs associated with furnishing the clotting factor are paid through another payment system, for example, hospitals that furnish clotting factor to patients during a Part A covered inpatient hospital stay, or practitioners that furnish clotting factor to patients in an outpatient setting and are paid for under the Physician Fee Schedule.

(2)The furnishing fee for blood clotting factors furnished in 2006 or a subsequent year is be equal to the furnishing fee paid the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for medical care for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.

(ii)Hemophiliacs who receive Factor VIII or IX concentrates;

(ii)Workers in health care professions who have frequent contact with blood or blood-derived body fluids during routine work (including workers who work outside of a hospital and have frequent contact with blood or other infectious secretions);

(iii)Heterosexually active persons with multiple sexual partners (that is, those Medicare beneficiaries who have had at least two documented episodes of sexually transmitted diseases within the preceding 5 years); and

(iv)Individuals who have not previously received a completed hepatitis B vaccination series or whose previous vaccination history is unknown.

(3)Exception. Individuals described in paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section are not considered at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B if they have undergone a prevaccination screening and have been found to be currently positive for antibodies to hepatitis B.

(v)Homosexual men;

(vi)Illicit injectable drug abusers;

(vii)Pacific Islanders (that is, those Medicare beneficiaries who reside on Pacific islands under U.S. jurisdiction, other than residents of Hawaii); and

(viii)Persons diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

(2)Intermediate risk groups. (i) Staff in institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities and classroom employees who work with individuals with intellectual disabilities;

410.64Additional preventive services.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for additional preventive services not described in paragraph (1) or (3) of the definition of “preventive services” under § 410.2, that identify medical conditions or risk factors for individuals if the Secretary determines through the national coverage determination process (as defined in section 1869(f)(1)(B) of the Act) that these services are all of the following:

(1)Reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of illness or disability.

(2)Recommended with a grade of A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

(3)Appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under Part B.

(b)In making determinations under paragraph (a) of this section regarding the coverage of a new preventive service, the Secretary may conduct an assessment of the relation between predicted outcomes and the expenditures for such services and may take into account the results of such an assessment in making such national coverage determinations.

410.66Emergency outpatient services furnished by a nonparticipating hospital and services furnished in a foreign country.#

Conditions for payment of emergency inpatient services furnished by a nonparticipating U.S. hospital and for services furnished in a foreign country are set forth in subparts G and H of part 424 of this chapter.

410.67Medicare coverage and payment of Opioid use disorder treatment services furnished by Opioid treatment programs.#

(a)Basis and scope— (1) Basis. This section implements sections 1861(jjj), 1861(s)(2)(HH), 1833(a)(1)(CC) and 1834(w) of the Act which provide for coverage of opioid use disorder treatment services furnished by an opioid treatment program and the payment of a bundled payment under Part B to an opioid treatment program for opioid use disorder treatment services that are furnished to a beneficiary during an episode of care beginning on or after January 1, 2020.

(2)Scope. This section sets forth the criteria for an opioid treatment program, the scope of opioid use disorder treatment services, and the methodology for determining the bundled payments to opioid treatment programs for furnishing opioid use disorder treatment services.

(b)Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: Episode of care means a one-week (contiguous 7-day) period. Opioid treatment program means an entity that is an opioid treatment program (as defined in § 8.2 of this title, or any successor regulation) that meets the requirements described in paragraph (c) of this section. Opioid use disorder treatment service means one of the following items or services for the treatment of opioid use disorder that is furnished by an opioid treatment program that meets the requirements described in paragraph (c) of this section.

(e)Beneficiary cost-sharing. A beneficiary copayment amount of zero will apply.

(i)Opioid agonist and antagonist treatment medications (including oral, injected, or implanted versions) that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration under section 505 of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for use in treatment of opioid use disorder.

(ii)Dispensing and administration of opioid agonist and antagonist treatment medications, if applicable.

(c)Requirements for opioid treatment programs. To participate in the Medicare program and receive payment, an opioid treatment program must meet all of the following:

(1)Be enrolled in the Medicare program.

(2)Have in effect a certification by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the opioid treatment program.

(3)Be accredited by an accrediting body approved by the SAMHSA.

(4)Have in effect a provider agreement under part 489 of this title.

(5)OTPs that provide OTP intensive outpatient services must meet the requirements set forth in § 424.24(d)(1) through (3) of this chapter related to content of certification, plan of treatment, and recertification for the purposes of furnishing OTP intensive outpatient services, except that the recertification required under § 424.24(d)(3)(ii) of this chapter may occur any time during an episode of care and any reference to a physician requirement in § 424.24(d)(1) through (3) may also be performed by a non-physician practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Act, as permitted by state law and scope of practice requirements.

(d)Bundled payments for opioid use disorder treatment services furnished by opioid treatment programs. (1) CMS will establish categories of bundled payments for opioid treatment programs for an episode of care as follows:

(i)If the opioid treatment program furnishes:

(A)Counseling or therapy services in excess of the amount specified in the beneficiary's treatment plan and for which medical necessity is documented in the medical record, an adjustment will be made for each additional 30 minutes of counseling or individual therapy furnished during the episode of care.

(B)Intake activities described in paragraph (b)(6) of this section, an adjustment will be made when intake activities are furnished.

(2)For CY 2022, the payment amount for methadone is the payment amount determined under paragraph (d)(2)(i)(B)(1) of this section for methadone in CY 2021. For CY 2023 and subsequent years, the payment amount for methadone will be based on the payment amount determined under paragraph (d)(2)(i)(B)(1) of this section for methadone in CY 2021 and updated by the PPI for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (Prescription).

(C)Periodic assessments described in paragraph (b)(7) of this section, an adjustment will be made when this service is furnished.

(D)Additional take home supply of oral drugs of up to 21 days, in increments of 7 days, an adjustment will be made when oral medications are dispensed.

(E)Take-home supply of opioid antagonist medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration under section 505 of the Federal, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose and overdose education furnished in conjunction with opioid antagonist medication, an adjustment will be made when these medications are dispensed. This adjustment will be limited to once every 30 days, except when a further take home supply of these medications is medically reasonable and necessary. The opioid treatment program must document in the medical record the reason(s) for the exception. The amount of the drug component of the adjustment will be determined using the methodology in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section. The amount of the non-drug component of the adjustment will be determined based on the CY 2020 Medicare payment rate for CPT code 96161.

(F)For OTP intensive outpatient services, an adjustment will be made when at least nine OTP intensive outpatient services described in paragraph (ix) of the definition of opioid use disorder treatment service in paragraph (b) of this section are furnished in a week. This adjustment will be based on the per diem payment rate for intensive outpatient services at hospital-based programs defined at § 410.44(c) and multiplied by a factor of three for a weekly payment adjustment.

(G)Coordinated care and/or referral services described in paragraph (x) of the definition of opioid use disorder treatment service in paragraph (b) of this section, an adjustment will be made when each additional 30 minutes of these services are furnished.

(H)Patient navigational services and/or peer recovery support services described in paragraph (xi) of the definition of opioid use disorder treatment service in paragraph (b) of this section, an adjustment will be made when each additional 30 minutes of these services are furnished.

(ii)The payment amounts for the non-drug component of the bundled payment for an episode of care, the adjustments for counseling or therapy, intake activities, periodic assessments, OTP intensive outpatient services, coordinated care and/or referral services, patient navigational services and/or peer recovery support services, and the non-drug component of the adjustment for take-home supplies of opioid antagonist medications will be geographically adjusted using the Geographic Adjustment Factor described in § 414.26 of this subchapter. For purposes of this adjustment, OUD treatment services that are furnished via an OTP mobile unit will be treated as if they were furnished at the physical location of the OTP registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and certified by SAMHSA.

(A)The CY 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule non-facility rates for the following items and services:

(1)Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient

(2)Group psychotherapy

(3)Alcohol and/or substance (other than tobacco) abuse structured assessment and brief intervention at the non-physician practitioner rate.

(4)For administration of an injectable medication, if applicable, drug administration (Therapeutic, prophylactic).

(5)For the insertion, removal, or insertion and removal of the implantable medication, if applicable, the applicable rate.

(B)For dispensing oral medication, if applicable, an approximation of the average dispensing fees under state Medicaid programs.

(C)One fourth of the sum of the CY 2019 Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule rate for two drug tests, presumptive, capable of being read by direct optical observation only and for a drug test, definitive, 1-7 drug classes.

(iii)The payment amounts for the non-drug component of the bundled payment for an episode of care, the adjustments for counseling or therapy, intake activities, periodic assessments, OTP intensive outpatient services, coordinated care and/or referral services, patient navigational services and/or peer recovery support services, and the non-drug component of the adjustment for take-home supplies of opioid antagonist medications will be updated annually using the Medicare Economic Index described in § 405.504(d) of this subchapter.

(2)The bundled payment for episodes of care in which a medication is provided consists of payment for a drug component, reflecting payment for the applicable FDA-approved opioid agonist or antagonist medication in the patient's treatment plan, and a non-drug component, reflecting payment for all other opioid use disorder treatment services reflected in the patient's treatment plan (including dispensing/administration of the medication, if applicable). The payments for the drug component and non-drug component are added together to create the bundled payment amount. The bundled payment for episodes of care in which no medication is provided consists of a single payment amount for all opioid use disorder treatment services reflected in the patient's treatment plan (excluding medication and dispensing/administration of medication).

(5)Payment for medications delivered, administered or dispensed to a beneficiary as part of the bundled payment or an adjustment to the bundled payment under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section is considered a duplicative payment if a claim for delivery, administration or dispensing of the same medications for the same beneficiary on the same date of service was also separately paid under Medicare Part B or Part D. CMS will recoup the duplicative payment made to the opioid treatment program.

(6)For purposes of the adjustment to the bundled payment under paragraph (d)(4)(i)(A) of this section, after the end of the Public Health Emergency as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, when services are furnished using audio-only technology the practitioner must certify, in a form and manner specified by CMS, that they had the capacity to furnish the services using two-way, audio/video communication technology, but used audio-only technology because audio/video communication technology was not available to the beneficiary.

(iv)Increased level of psychotherapy. For CY 2023 and subsequent years, the payment for the non-drug component of the bundled payment for an episode of care under paragraph (d)(2) of this section is adjusted to reflect the CY 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule non-facility rate for psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient.

(3)At least one OUD treatment service described in paragraphs (i) through (v) of the definition of opioid use disorder treatment service in paragraph (b) of this section must be furnished to bill for the bundled payment for an episode of care.

(4)Adjustments will be made to the bundled payment for the following:

(iii)Substance use counseling by a professional to the extent authorized under State law to furnish such services including services furnished via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, as clinically appropriate, and in compliance with all applicable requirements. During a Public Health Emergency, as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, or for services furnished after the end of such emergency, in cases where audio/video communication technology is not available to the beneficiary, the counseling services may be furnished using audio-only telephone calls if all other applicable requirements are met.

(iv)Individual and group therapy with a physician or psychologist (or other mental health professional to the extent authorized under State law), including services furnished via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, as clinically appropriate, and in compliance with all applicable requirements. During a Public Health Emergency, as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, or for services furnished after the end of such emergency, in cases where audio/video communication technology is not available to the beneficiary, the therapy services may be furnished using audio-only telephone calls if all other applicable requirements are met.

(ix)Opioid treatment program (OTP) intensive outpatient services, which means one or more services specified in § 410.44(a)(4) when furnished by an OTP as part of a distinct and organized intensive ambulatory treatment program for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and that offers less than 24-hour daily care other than in an individual's home or in an inpatient or residential setting. OTP intensive outpatient services are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual's condition; are reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual's condition and functional level and to prevent relapse or hospitalization; and are furnished in accordance with a physician or non-physician practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Act) certification and plan of care, as permitted by State law and scope of practice requirements, in which a physician or non-physician practitioner must certify that the individual has a need for a minimum of nine hours of services per week and requires a higher level of care intensity compared to other non-intensive outpatient OTP services. OTP intensive outpatient services do not include FDA-approved opioid agonist or antagonist medications for the treatment of OUD or opioid antagonist medications for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, or toxicology testing.

(v)Toxicology testing.

(vi)Intake activities, including initial medical examination services required under § 8.12(f)(2) of this title and initial assessment services required under § 8.12(f)(4) of this title.

(A)For intake activities furnished via communications technology, the following flexibilities apply:

(1)Services to initiate treatment with buprenorphine may be furnished via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, as clinically appropriate, and in compliance with all applicable requirements. In cases where audio-video communications technology is not available to the beneficiary, services to initiate treatment with buprenorphine may be furnished using audio-only telephone calls if all other applicable requirements are met.

(2)Services to initiate treatment with methadone may be furnished via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, as clinically appropriate, and in compliance with all applicable requirements, if the OTP practitioner determines that an adequate evaluation of the patient can be accomplished through audio-video communication technology.

(B)[Reserved]

(vii)Periodic assessment services required under § 8.12(f)(4) of this title, that are furnished during a face-to-face encounter, including services furnished via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, as clinically appropriate, and in compliance with all applicable requirements. In cases where a beneficiary does not have access to two-way audio-video communications technology, periodic assessments can be furnished using audio-only telephone calls if all other applicable requirements are met.

(viii)Opioid antagonist medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose and overdose education furnished in conjunction with opioid antagonist medication.

(x)Coordinated care and/or referral services, provided by an OTP to link a beneficiary with community resources to address unmet health-related social needs or the need and interest for harm reduction interventions and recovery support services that significantly limit the ability to diagnose or treat a patient's opioid use disorder.

(xi)Patient navigational services and/or peer recovery support services, when provided directly by an OTP or through referral, in order to assist patients with an OUD in navigating the health system and accessing supportive services, and/or to provide support in meeting patient-driven OUD treatment and recovery goals.

410.68Antigens: Scope and conditions.#

Medicare Part B pays for—

(a)Antigens that are furnished as services incident to a physician's professional services; or

(b)A supply of antigen sufficient for not more than 12 months that is—

(1)Prepared for a patient by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who has examined the patient and developed a plan of treatment including dosage levels; and

(2)Administered—

(i)In accord with the plan of treatment developed by the doctor of medicine or osteopathy who prepared the antigen; and

(ii)By a doctor of medicine or osteopathy or by a properly instructed person under the supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

410.69Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant: Basic rule and definitions.#

(a)Basic rule. Medicare Part B pays for anesthesia services and related care furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant who is legally authorized to perform the services by the State in which the services are furnished.

(b)Definitions. For purposes of this part— Anesthesia and related care means those services that a certified registered nurse anesthetist is legally authorized to perform in the state in which the services are furnished. Anesthesiologist's assistant means a person who—

(1)Is licensed as a registered professional nurse by the State in which the nurse practices;

(2)Meets any licensure requirements the State imposes with respect to non-physician anesthetists;

(3)Has graduated from a nurse anesthesia educational program that meets the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, or such other accreditation organization as may be designated by the Secretary; and

(A)Is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation; and

(B)Includes approximately two years of specialized basic science and clinical education in anesthesia at a level that builds on a premedical undergraduate science background. Anesthetist includes both an anesthesiologist's assistant and a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Certified registered nurse anesthetist means a registered nurse who:

(4)Meets the following criteria:

(i)Has passed a certification examination of the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, or any other certification organization that may be designated by the Secretary; or

(ii)Is a graduate of a program described in paragraph (3) of this definition and within 24 months after that graduation meets the requirements of paragraph (4)(i) of this definition.

(5)For certified registered nurse anesthetist services, the certified registered nurse anesthetist may review and verify (sign and date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team, including, as applicable, notes documenting the certified registered nurse anesthetist's presence and participation in the service.

410.71Clinical psychologist services and services and supplies incident to clinical psychologist services.#

(a)Included services. (1) Medicare Part B covers services furnished by a clinical psychologist, who meets the requirements specified in paragraph (d) of this section, that are within the scope of his or her State license, if the services would be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's services.

(2)Medicare Part B covers services and supplies incident to the services of a clinical psychologist if the requirements of § 410.26 are met.

(b)Application of mental health treatment limitation. The treatment services of a clinical psychologist and services and supplies furnished as an incident to those services are subject to the limitation on payment for outpatient mental health treatment services set forth in § 410.155.

(c)Payment for consultations. A clinical psychologist or an attending or primary care physician may not bill Medicare or the beneficiary for the consultation that is required under paragraph (e) of this section.

(d)Qualifications. For purposes of this subpart, a clinical psychologist is an individual who—

(1)Holds a doctoral degree in psychology; and

(2)Is licensed or certified, on the basis of the doctoral degree in psychology, by the State in which he or she practices, at the independent practice level of psychology to furnish diagnostic, assessment, preventive, and therapeutic services directly to individuals.

(e)Agreement to consult. A clinical psychologist who bills Medicare Part B must agree to meet the requirements of paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(3) of this section. The clinical psychologist's signature on a Medicare provider/supplier enrollment form indicates his or her agreement.

(1)Unless the beneficiary's primary care or attending physician has referred the beneficiary to the clinical psychologist, to inform the beneficiary that it is desirable for the clinical psychologist to consult with the beneficiary's attending or primary care physician (if the beneficiary has such a physician) to consider any conditions contributing to the beneficiary's symptoms.

(2)If the beneficiary assents to the consultation, in accordance with accepted professional ethical norms and taking into consideration patient confidentiality—

(i)To attempt, within a reasonable time after receiving the consent, to consult with the physician; and

(ii)If attempts to consult directly with the physician are not successful, to notify the physician, within a reasonable time, that he or she is furnishing services to the beneficiary.

(3)Unless the primary care or attending physician referred the beneficiary to the clinical psychologist, to document, in the beneficiary's medical record, the date the patient consented or declined consent to consultation, the date of consultation, or, if attempts to consult did not succeed, the date and manner of notification to the physician.

410.72Registered dietitians' and nutrition professionals' services.#

(a)Definition: Registered dietitians and nutrition professionals. Meet the qualifications at § 410.134.

(b)Covered registered dietitian and nutrition professional services. Medicare Part B covers:

(1)Coverage condition. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services as defined at § 410.130 under the conditions of coverage at § 410.132.

(2)Other services. Registered dietitians and nutrition professionals may also provide diabetes self-management (DSMT) services if they are or represent an accredited DSMT entity and have an order from a physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner who is treating the patient's diabetic condition.

(3)Limits on MNT and DSMT. (i) DSMT and MNT cannot be furnished to a patient on the same date of service, and

(c)Limitations. The following services are not registered dietitian or nutrition professional services for purposes of billing Medicare Part B:

(1)Services furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating hospital.

(2)Services furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating SNF.

(3)Services furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional to a patient in a Medicare-participating ESRD facility in accordance with the limitation on coverage of MNT service listed at § 410.132(b)(1).

(d)Professional services. Except for DSMT services furnished as, or on behalf of, an accredited DSMT entity, registered dietitians and nutrition professionals can be paid for their professional MNT services only when the services have been directly performed by them.

(e)Telehealth services. MNT and DSMT services may be provided as telehealth services (meeting the requirements in § 410.78) when registered dietitians or nutrition professionals act as distant site practitioners.

(f)Restrictions. The services of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional are provided on an assignment-related basis, and a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may not charge a beneficiary in excess of the amounts permitted under 42 CFR 424.55. If a beneficiary has made payment for a service in excess of these limits, the registered dietitian or nutrition professional must refund the full amount of the impermissible charge to the beneficiary.

(ii)MNT and DSMT services cannot be furnished incident to the professional services of a physician or nonphysician practitioner service.

410.73Clinical social worker services.#

(a)Definition: clinical social worker. For purposes of this part, a clinical social worker is defined as an individual who—

(1)Possesses a master's or doctor's degree in social work;

(2)After obtaining the degree, has performed at least 2 years of supervised clinical social work; and

(3)Either is licensed or certified as a clinical social worker by the State in which the services are performed or, in the case of an individual in a State that does not provide for licensure or certification as a clinical social worker—

(i)Is licensed or certified at the highest level of practice provided by the laws of the State in which the services are performed; and

(ii)Has completed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of post master's degree supervised clinical social work practice under the supervision of a master's degree level social worker in an appropriate setting such as a hospital, SNF, or clinic.

(b)Covered clinical social worker services. Medicare Part B covers clinical social worker services.

(1)Definition. “Clinical social worker services” means, except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the services of a clinical social worker furnished for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness that the clinical social worker is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the services are performed. The services must be of a type that would be covered if they were furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's professional service and must meet the requirements of this section.

(2)Exception. The following services are not clinical social worker services for purposes of billing Medicare Part B:

(i)Services furnished by a clinical social worker to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating hospital.

(ii)Services furnished by a clinical social worker to an inpatient of a Medicare-participating SNF.

(iii)Services furnished by a clinical social worker to a patient in a Medicare-participating dialysis facility if the services are those required by the conditions for coverage for ESRD facilities under § 405.2163 of this chapter.

(c)Agreement to consult. A clinical social worker must comply with the consultation requirements set forth at § 410.71(f) (reading “clinical psychologist” as “clinical social worker”).

(d)Prohibited billing. (1) A clinical social worker may not bill Medicare for the services specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2)A clinical social worker or an attending or primary care physician may not bill Medicare or the beneficiary for the consultation that is required under paragraph (c) of this section.

410.74Physician assistants' services.#

(a)Basic rule. Medicare Part B covers physician assistants' services only if the following conditions are met:

(1)The services would be covered as physicians' services if furnished by a physician (a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, as set forth in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act).

(2)The physician assistant—

(i)Meets the qualifications set forth in paragraph (c) of this section;

(ii)Is legally authorized to perform the services in the State in which they are performed;

(iii)Performs services that are not otherwise precluded from coverage because of a statutory exclusion;

(iv)Performs the services in accordance with state law and state scope of practice rules for physician assistants in the state in which the physician assistant's professional services are furnished. Any state laws and scope of practice rules that describe the required practice relationship between physicians and physician assistants, including explicit supervisory or collaborative practice requirements, describe a form of supervision for purposes of section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. For states with no explicit state law and scope of practice rules regarding physician supervision of physician assistant's services, physician supervision is a process in which a physician assistant has a working relationship with one or more physicians to supervise the delivery of their health care services. Such physician supervision is evidenced by documenting at the practice level the physician assistant's scope of practice and the working relationships the physician assistant has with the supervising physician/s when furnishing professional services.

(v)Prior to January 1, 2022, furnishes services that are billed by the employer of a physician assistant; and

(vi)Performs the services—

(A)In all settings in either rural and urban areas; or

(B)As an assistant at surgery.

(b)Services and supplies furnished incident to a physician assistant's services. Medicare Part B covers services and supplies incident to the services of a physician assistant if the requirements of § 410.26 are met.

(c)Qualifications. For Medicare Part B coverage of his or her services, a physician assistant must meet all of the following conditions:

(1)Have graduated from a physician assistant educational program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or

(2)Have passed the national certification examination that is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants; and

(3)Be licensed by the State to practice as a physician assistant.

(d)Professional services. Physician assistants can be paid for professional services only if the services have been professionally performed by them and no facility or other provider charges for the service or is paid any amount for the furnishing of those professional services.

(1)Supervision of other nonphysician staff by a physician assistant does not constitute personal performance of a professional service by the physician assistant.

(2)The services of a physician assistant are provided on an assignment-related basis, and the physician assistant may not charge a beneficiary in excess of the amounts permitted under 42 CFR 424.55. If a beneficiary has made payment for a service in excess of these limits, the physician assistant must refund the full amount of the impermissible charge to the beneficiary.

(e)Medical record documentation. For physician assistants' services, the physician assistant may review and verify (sign and date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team, including, as applicable, notes documenting the physician assistant's presence and participation in the service.

410.75Nurse practitioners' services.#

(a)Definition. As used in this section, the term “physician” means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, as set forth in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act.

(b)Qualifications. For Medicare Part B coverage of his or her services, a nurse practitioner must be a registered professional nurse who is authorized by the State in which the services are furnished to practice as a nurse practitioner in accordance with State law, and must meet one of the following:

(1)Obtained Medicare billing privileges as a nurse practitioner for the first time on or after January 1, 2003, and meets the following requirements:

(i)Be certified as a nurse practitioner by a recognized national certifying body that has established standards for nurse practitioners.

(ii)Possess a master's degree in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) doctoral degree.

(2)Obtained Medicare billing privileges as a nurse practitioner for the first time before January 1, 2003, and meets the standards in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section.

(3)Obtained Medicare billing privileges as a nurse practitioner for the first time before January 1, 2001.

(c)Services. Medicare Part B covers nurse practitioners' services in all settings in both rural and urban areas, only if the services would be covered if furnished by a physician and the nurse practitioner—

(1)Is legally authorized to perform them in the State in which they are performed;

(2)Is not performing services that are otherwise excluded from coverage because of one of the statutory exclusions; and

(3)Performs them while working in collaboration with a physician.

(i)Collaboration is a process in which a nurse practitioner works with one or more physicians to deliver health care services within the scope of the practitioner's expertise, with medical direction and appropriate supervision as provided for in jointly developed guidelines or other mechanisms as provided by the law of the State in which the services are performed.

(ii)In the absence of State law governing collaboration, collaboration is a process in which a nurse practitioner has a relationship with one or more physicians to deliver health care services. Such collaboration is to be evidenced by nurse practitioners documenting the nurse practitioners' scope of practice and indicating the relationships that they have with physicians to deal with issues outside their scope of practice. Nurse practitioners must document this collaborative process with physicians.

(iii)The collaborating physician does not need to be present with the nurse practitioner when the services are furnished or to make an independent evaluation of each patient who is seen by the nurse practitioner.

(d)Services and supplies incident to a nurse practitioners' services. Medicare Part B covers services and supplies incident to the services of a nurse practitioner if the requirements of § 410.26 are met.

(e)Professional services. Nurse practitioners can be paid for professional services only when the services have been personally performed by them and no facility or other provider charges, or is paid, any amount for the furnishing of the professional services.

(1)Supervision of other nonphysician staff by a nurse practitioner does not constitute personal performance of a professional service by a nurse practitioner.

(2)The services of a nurse practitioner are provided on an assignment-related basis, and the nurse practitioner may not charge a beneficiary in excess of the amounts permitted under 42 CFR 424.55. If a beneficiary has made payment for a service in excess of these limits, the nurse practitioner must refund the full amount of the impermissible charge to the beneficiary.

(f)Medical record documentation. For nurse practitioners' services, the nurse practitioner may review and verify (sign and date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team, including, as applicable, notes documenting the nurse practitioner's presence and participation in the service.

410.76Clinical nurse specialists' services.#

(a)Definition. As used in this section, the term “physician” means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, as set forth in section 1861(r)(1) of the Act.

(b)Qualifications. For Medicare Part B coverage of his or her services, a clinical nurse specialist must—

(1)Be a registered nurse who is currently licensed to practice in the State where he or she practices and be authorized to perform the services of a clinical nurse specialist in accordance with State law;

(2)Have a master's degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) doctoral degree; and

(3)Be certified as a clinical nurse specialist by a national certifying body that has established standards for clinical nurse specialists and that is approved by the Secretary.

(c)Services. Medicare Part B covers clinical nurse specialists' services in all settings in both rural and urban areas only if the services would be covered if furnished by a physician and the clinical nurse specialist—

(1)Is legally authorized to perform them in the State in which they are performed;

(2)Is not performing services that are otherwise excluded from coverage by one of the statutory exclusions; and

(3)Performs them while working in collaboration with a physician.

(i)Collaboration is a process in which a clinical nurse specialist works with one or more physicians to deliver health care services within the scope of the practitioner's expertise, with medical direction and appropriate supervision as provided for in jointly developed guidelines or other mechanisms as provided by the law of the State in which the services are performed.

(ii)In the absence of State law governing collaboration, collaboration is a process in which a clinical nurse specialist has a relationship with one or more physicians to deliver health care services. Such collaboration is to be evidenced by clinical nurse specialists documenting the clinical nurse specialists' scope of practice and indicating the relationships that they have with physicians to deal with issues outside their scope of practice. Clinical nurse specialists must document this collaborative process with physicians.

(iii)The collaborating physician does not need to be present with the clinical nurse specialist when the services are furnished, or to make an independent evaluation of each patient who is seen by the clinical nurse specialist.

(d)Services and supplies furnished incident to clinical nurse specialists' services. Medicare Part B covers services and supplies incident to the services of a clinical nurse specialist if the requirements of § 410.26 are met.

(e)Professional services. Clinical nurse specialists can be paid for professional services only when the services have been personally performed by them and no facility or other provider charges, or is paid, any amount for the furnishing of the professional services.

(1)Supervision of other nonphysician staff by clinical nurse specialists does not constitute personal performance of a professional service by clinical nurse specialists.

(2)The services of a clinical nurse specialist are provided on an assignment-related basis, and the clinical nurse specialist may not charge a beneficiary in excess of the amounts permitted under 42 CFR 424.55. If a beneficiary has made payment for a service in excess of these limits, the clinical nurse specialist must refund the full amount of the impermissible charge to the beneficiary.

(f)Medical record documentation. For clinical nurse specialists' services, the clinical nurse specialist may review and verify (sign and date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team, including, as applicable, notes documenting the clinical nurse specialist's presence and participation in the service.

410.77Certified nurse-midwives' services: Qualifications and conditions.#

(a)Qualifications. For Medicare coverage of his or her services, a certified nurse-midwife must:

(1)Be a registered nurse who is legally authorized to practice as a nurse-midwife in the State where services are performed;

(2)Have successfully completed a program of study and clinical experience for nurse-midwives that is accredited by an accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of Education; and

(3)Be certified as a nurse-midwife by the American College of Nurse-Midwives or the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council.

(b)Services. A certified nurse-midwife's services are services furnished by a certified nurse-midwife and services and supplies furnished as an incident to the certified nurse-midwife's services that—

(1)Are within the scope of practice authorized by the law of the State in which they are furnished and would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician's service; and

(2)Unless required by State law, are provided without regard to whether the certified nurse-midwife is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider.

(c)Incident to services: Basic rule. Medicare Part B covers services and supplies incident to the services of a certified nurse-midwife if the requirements of § 410.26 are met.

(d)Professional services. A nurse-midwife can be paid for professional services only when the services have been performed personally by the nurse-midwife.

(1)Supervision of other nonphysician staff by a nurse-midwife does not constitute personal performance of a professional service by the nurse-midwife.

(2)The services of a certified nurse-midwife are provided on an assignment-related basis, and the certified nurse-midwife may not charge a beneficiary in excess of the amounts permitted under 42 CFR 424.55. If a beneficiary has made payment for a service in excess of these limits, the certified nurse-midwife must refund the full amount of the impermissible charge to the beneficiary.

(3)A nurse-midwife may provide services that he or she is legally authorized to perform under State law as a nurse-midwife, if the services would otherwise be covered by the Medicare program when furnished by a physician or incident to a physicians' professional services.

(e)Medical record documentation. For certified nurse-midwives' services, the certified nurse-midwife may review and verify (sign and date), rather than re-document, notes in a patient's medical record made by physicians; residents; nurses; medical, physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse students; or other members of the medical team, including, as applicable, notes documenting the certified nurse-midwife's presence and participation in the service.

410.78Telehealth services.#

(a)Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(1)Asynchronous store and forward technologies means the transmission of a patient's medical information from an originating site to the physician or practitioner at the distant site. The physician or practitioner at the distant site can review the medical case without the patient being present. An asynchronous telecommunications system in single media format does not include telephone calls, images transmitted via facsimile machines and text messages without visualization of the patient (electronic mail). Photographs visualized by a telecommunications system must be specific to the patient's medical condition and adequate for furnishing or confirming a diagnosis and or treatment plan. Dermatological photographs, for example, a photograph of a skin lesion, may be considered to meet the requirement of a single media format under this provision.

(2)Distant site means the site at which the physician or practitioner delivering the service is located at the time the service is provided via a telecommunications system.

(3)Interactive telecommunications system means, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (a)(3), multimedia communications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and distant site physician or practitioner. Interactive telecommunications system may also include two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology for any telehealth service furnished to a patient in their home if the distant site physician or practitioner is technically capable of using an interactive telecommunications system as defined in the previous sentence, but the patient is not capable of, or does not consent to, the use of video technology. The following modifiers must be appended to a claim for telehealth services furnished using two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology to verify that the conditions set forth in the prior sentence have been met:

(i)Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier “93”; and

(ii)For rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), Medicare modifier “FQ”.

(4)Originating site means the location of an eligible Medicare beneficiary at the time the service being furnished via a telecommunications system occurs. For asynchronous store and forward telecommunications technologies, the only originating sites are Federal telemedicine demonstration programs conducted in Alaska or Hawaii.

(b)General rule. Medicare Part B pays for covered telehealth services included on the telehealth list when furnished by an interactive telecommunications system if the following conditions are met, except that for the duration of the Public Health Emergency as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, Medicare Part B pays for office and other outpatient visits, professional consultation, psychiatric diagnostic interview examination, individual psychotherapy, pharmacologic management and end stage renal disease related services included in the monthly capitation payment furnished by an interactive telecommunications system if the following conditions are met:

(1)The physician or practitioner at the distant site must be licensed to furnish the service under State law. The physician or practitioner at the distant site who is licensed under State law to furnish a covered telehealth service described in this section may bill, and receive payment for, the service when it is delivered via a telecommunications system.

(2)The practitioner at the distant site is one of the following:

(i)A physician as described in § 410.20.

(ii)A physician assistant as described § 410.74.

(iii)A nurse practitioner as described in § 410.75.

(iv)A clinical nurse specialist as described in § 410.76.

(v)A nurse-midwife as described in § 410.77.

(vi)A clinical psychologist as described in § 410.71.

(vii)A clinical social worker as described in § 410.73.

(viii)A registered dietitian or nutrition professional as described in § 410.134.

(ix)A certified registered nurse anesthetist as described in § 410.69.

(x)Any distant site practitioner who can appropriately bill for diabetes self-management training services may do so on behalf of others who personally furnish the services as part of the DSMT entity.

(xi)A marriage and family therapist as described in 410.53.

(xii)A mental health counselor as described in 410.54.

(3)The services are furnished to a beneficiary at an originating site, which is one of the following:

(i)The office of a physician or practitioner.

(ii)A critical access hospital (as described in section 1861(mm)(1) of the Act).

(iii)A rural health clinic (as described in section 1861(aa)(2) of the Act).

(iv)A Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Act).

(v)A hospital (as defined in section 1861(e) of the Act).

(vi)A hospital-based or critical access hospital-based renal dialysis center (including satellites).

(vii)A skilled nursing facility (as defined in section 1819(a) of the Act).

(viii)A community mental health center (as defined in section 1861(ff)(3)(B) of the Act).

(ix)A renal dialysis facility (only for purposes of the home dialysis monthly ESRD-related clinical assessment in section 1881(b)(3)(B) of the Act);

(x)The home of an individual (only for purposes of the home dialysis ESRD-related clinical assessment in section 1881(b)(3)(B) of the Act).

(xi)A mobile stroke unit (only for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke provided in accordance with section 1834(m)(6) of the Act).

(xii)The home of an individual (only for purposes of treatment of a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder, furnished on or after July 1, 2019, to an individual with a substance use disorder diagnosis.

(xiii)A rural emergency hospital (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2) of the Act), for services furnished on or after January 1, 2023.

(xiv)The home of a beneficiary for the purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, and/or treatment of a mental health disorder for services that are furnished during the period beginning on the first day after the end of the emergency period as defined in our regulation at § 400.200 and ending on December 31, 2024 except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. Payment will not be made for a telehealth service furnished under this paragraph unless the following conditions are met:

(A)The physician or practitioner has furnished an item or service in-person, without the use of telehealth, for which Medicare payment was made (or would have been made if the patient were entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare benefits at the time the item or service is furnished) within 6 months prior to the initial telehealth service;

(B)The physician or practitioner has furnished an item or service in-person, without the use of telehealth, at least once within 12 months of each subsequent telehealth service described in this paragraph, unless, for a particular 12-month period, the physician or practitioner and patient agree that the risks and burdens associated with an in-person service outweigh the benefits associated with furnishing the in-person item or service, and the practitioner documents the reason(s) for this decision in the patient's medical record.

(C)The requirements of paragraphs (b)(3)(xiv)(A) and (B) may be met by another physician or practitioner of the same specialty and subspecialty in the same group as the physician or practitioner who furnishes the telehealth service, if the physician or practitioner who furnishes the telehealth service described under this paragraph is not available.

(4)Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(iv) of this section, originating sites must be:

(i)Located in a health professional shortage area (as defined under section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(A)) that is either outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as of December 31st of the preceding calendar year or within a rural census tract of an MSA as determined by the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration as of December 31st of the preceding calendar year, or

(ii)Located in a county that is not included in a Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the Act as of December 31st of the preceding year, or

(iii)An entity participating in a Federal telemedicine demonstration project that has been approved by, or receive funding from, the Secretary as of December 31, 2000, regardless of its geographic location.

(iv)The geographic requirements specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section do not apply to the following telehealth services:

(A)Home dialysis monthly ESRD-related clinical assessment services furnished on or after January 1, 2019, at an originating site described in paragraphs (b)(3)(vi), (ix) or (x) of this section, in accordance with section 1881(b)(3)(B) of the Act; and

(B)Services furnished on or after January 1, 2019, for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke.

(C)Services furnished on or after July 1, 2019 to an individual with a substance use disorder diagnosis, for purposes of treatment of a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder.

(D)Services furnished on or after January 1, 2025 for the purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, and/or treatment of a mental health disorder. Payment will not be made for a telehealth service furnished under this paragraph unless the physician or practitioner has furnished an item or service in person, without the use of telehealth, for which Medicare payment was made (or would have been made if the patient were entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare benefits at the time the item or service is furnished) within 6 months prior to the initial telehealth service and within 6 months of any subsequent telehealth service.

(5)The medical examination of the patient is under the control of the physician or practitioner at the distant site.

(c)Telepresenter not required. A telepresenter is not required as a condition of payment unless a telepresenter is medically necessary as determined by the physician or practitioner at the distant site.

(d)Exception to the interactive telecommunications system requirement. For Federal telemedicine demonstration programs conducted in Alaska or Hawaii only, Medicare payment is permitted for telehealth when asynchronous store and forward technologies, in single or multimedia formats, are used as a substitute for an interactive telecommunications system.

(e)Limitations. (1) A clinical psychologist and a clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist (MFT), and a mental health counselor (MHC) may bill and receive payment for individual psychotherapy via a telecommunications system, but may not seek payment for medical evaluation and management services.

(2)The physician visits required under § 483.40(c) of this title may not be furnished as telehealth services.

(3)The distant site practitioner who reports the DSMT services may bill and receive payment when a professional furnishes injection training for an insulin-dependent patient using interactive telecommunications technology when such training is included as part of the DSMT plan of care referenced at § 410.141(b)(2).

(f)Process for adding or deleting services. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (f), changes to the list of Medicare telehealth services are made through the annual physician fee schedule rulemaking process. During the Public Health Emergency, as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, we will use a subregulatory process to modify the services included on the Medicare telehealth list during the Public Health Emergency, taking into consideration infection control, patient safety, and other public health concerns resulting from the emergency. CMS maintains the list of services that are Medicare telehealth services under this section, including the current HCPCS codes that describe the services on the CMS website.

410.79Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model: Conditions of coverage.#

(a)Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) services will be available beginning on April 1, 2018.

(b)Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: Baseline weight means the MDPP beneficiary's body weight recorded during that beneficiary's first core session. CDC-approved DPP curriculum refers to the content of the core sessions, core maintenance sessions, and ongoing maintenance sessions. The curriculum may be either the CDC-preferred curriculum as designated by the CDC DPRP Standards or an alternative curriculum approved for use in DPP by the CDC. Combination with an online component refers to sessions that are delivered as a combination of online (non-live) with in-person or distance learning. Core maintenance session means an MDPP service that—

(e)MDPP expanded model emergency policy. (1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, the policies described in this paragraph (e) apply during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter and during any future 1135 waiver event that CMS determines may disrupts in-person MDPP services (an “applicable 1135 waiver event”). For purposes of this paragraph (e), “1135 waiver event” means an emergency period and emergency area, as such terms are defined in section 1135(g) of the Act, for which the Secretary has authorized one or more waivers under section 1135 of the Act.

(2)(i) CMS determines that an 1135 waiver event may disrupt in-person MDPP services if MDPP suppliers would likely be unable to conduct classes in-person, or MDPP beneficiaries would likely be unable to attend in-person classes, for reasons related to health, safety, or site availability or suitability. Health and safety reasons may include, but are not limited to, the avoidance of transmission of contagious diseases, compliance with laws and regulations during an 1135 waiver event, or the physical safety of MDPP beneficiaries and MDPP coaches, as defined in § 424.205(a) of this chapter, during an 1135 waiver event.

(f)MDPP Online delivery. (1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, the policies described in this paragraph (f) apply during the Online delivery period.

(2)During the Online delivery period, MDPP suppliers are not required to maintain in-person delivery capabilities of the Set of MDPP services, as applicable during the Online delivery period.

(i)Online sessions must be furnished in a manner consistent with the DPRP Standards regarding program format, Coach interaction, and program intensity and duration to qualify for payment. Online sessions must be delivered 100 percent through the internet via phone, tablet, or laptop in an asynchronous (non-live) classroom where participants are experiencing the content on their own time without a live (including non-artificial intelligence (AI) Coach teaching the content.

(A)Live Coach interaction must be offered to each participant during weeks when the beneficiary has engaged with content. Emails and text messages can count toward the requirements for Live Coach interaction if there is bi-directional communication (that is, organizations may not simply send out an announcement via text or email and count that as live Coach interaction; the beneficiary must have the ability to respond to and get support from the live Coach) between the Coach and participant. Chat bots and AI forums do not count as live Coach interaction. Coaches are required to track participant engagement and completion of online modules. Proactive outreach must be used to encourage Online session completion and beneficiary weight reporting.

(1)MDPP suppliers may not require that beneficiaries initiate interactions with the Coach and MDPP suppliers may not use AI or Machine Learning (ML) to replace Live Coach interaction.

(2)[Reserved]

(B)Beneficiaries must submit weight measurements on the date in which the Online session is completed. MDPP suppliers must ensure safeguards are in place to ensure the accuracy of beneficiary weight measurements.

(C)For MDPP beneficiaries, MDPP suppliers may not bill for Online Sessions as well as In-Person or Virtual Sessions during the Online delivery period. The Set of MDPP services must be delivered to individual beneficiaries as Online sessions or fully synchronously (that is, In-person, Distance learning, or In-person with a distance learning component), inclusive of make-up sessions.

(D)MDPP suppliers must ensure that MDPP beneficiaries engage with and understand the content of each Online session. MDPP suppliers may use one or more of the following to ensure engagement and understanding: videos/presentations, email, video conferencing; knowledge checks (multiple choice or short answer); participant contributions to group discussions on a community board; or beneficiary responses to the Coach via email, text message, or in-app messaging.

(ii)[Reserved]

(i)Is furnished by an MDPP supplier to an MDPP beneficiary during a core maintenance session interval;

(ii)If CMS determines that an 1135 waiver event may disrupt in-person MDPP services, CMS will communicate such determination for purposes of the policies described in this paragraph (e), to all affected MDPP suppliers.

(3)The following changes apply under this paragraph (e), when CMS has determined that an 1135 waiver event may disrupt in-person MDPP services:

(i)The in-person attendance requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(ii)(A) and (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section do not apply.

(ii)MDPP suppliers may start new cohorts during the PHE as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter or an applicable 1135 waiver event only if a baseline weight measurement can be obtained as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section.

(iii)MDPP suppliers can obtain weight measurements for MDPP beneficiaries for the baseline weight and any weight loss based performance achievement goals in the following manner:

(A)In-person, when the weight measurement can be obtained safely and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations;

(B)Via digital technology, such as scales that transmit weights securely via wireless or cellular transmission; or

(C)Self-reported weight measurements from the digital scale of the MDPP beneficiary. Self-reported weights must be obtained during live, synchronous Online video technology, such as video chatting or video conferencing, wherein the MDPP Coach observes the beneficiary weighing themselves and views the weight indicated on the digital scale, or the MDPP supplier receives two date-stamped photos or a video recording of the beneficiary's weight, with the beneficiary visible on the scale, submitted by the MDPP beneficiary to the MDPP supplier. Photo or video must clearly document the weight of the MDPP beneficiary as it appears on the digital scale on the date associated with the billable MDPP session. If choosing to submit two photos, one photo must show the beneficiary's weight on the digital scale, the second photo must show the beneficiary visible in their home or other reasonable location outside of an in-person delivery site, and both photos must be date-stamped.

(iv)The virtual session limits described in paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section do not apply, and MDPP suppliers may provide all MDPP sessions virtually, through distance learning or a combination of in-person or distance learning, during the PHE as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter or applicable 1135 waiver event. If the beneficiary began the MDPP services period virtually, or changed from in-person to virtual services during the Extended flexibilities period, a PHE as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter or applicable 1135 waiver event, he/she may continue to receive the Set of MDPP services virtually even after the PHE or 1135 waiver event has concluded, until the end of the beneficiary's MDPP services period, so long as the provision of virtual services complies with all of the following requirements:

(A)The curriculum furnished during the virtual session addresses the same CDC-approved DPP curriculum topic as the regularly scheduled session.

(B)The MDPP supplier furnishes to the MDPP beneficiary a maximum of one virtual make-up session on the same day as a regularly scheduled session.

(C)The MDPP supplier furnishes to the MDPP beneficiary a maximum of one virtual make-up session per week.

(D)Virtual sessions are furnished in a manner consistent with the DPRP standards for distance learning sessions.

(E)The MDPP supplier offers virtual sessions only upon an individual MDPP beneficiary's request or agreement to receive services virtually.

(F)The MDPP supplier offers to an MDPP beneficiary:

(1)Up to 16 virtual sessions offered weekly during the core session period, months 1 through 6 of the MDPP services period;

(2)Up to 6 virtual sessions offered monthly during the core maintenance session interval periods, months 7 through 12 of the MDPP services period.

(3)No more than 12 virtual sessions offered monthly during the ongoing maintenance session intervals, months 13 through 24 for beneficiaries enrolled before January 1, 2022.

(v)MDPP suppliers may suspend the in-person delivery of the set of MDPP services, when necessary due to the applicable 1135 waiver event, and subsequently resume in-person services either upon the end date of the 1135 waiver event emergency period or an effective date specified by CMS. Upon resumption of the set of MDPP services on an in-person basis, the following paragraphs apply:

(A)Beneficiaries who were receiving MDPP services as of March 31, 2020 whose in-person sessions are suspended due to the PHE as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter may elect to restart the set of MDPP services at the beginning or resume with the most recent attendance session of record.

(B)Beneficiaries who begin the set of MDPP services on or after January 1, 2021 who are in the first 12 months of the set of MDPP services as of the start of an applicable 1135 waiver event, whose in-person sessions are suspended due to the applicable 1135 waiver event, and who elect not to continue with MDPP services virtually, may elect to restart the set of MDPP services at the beginning or may resume with the most recent attendance session of record.

(C)Beneficiaries who began the set of MDPP services between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 and who are in the second year of the set of MDPP services as of the start of an applicable 1135 waiver event, whose in-person sessions are suspended due to the applicable 1135 waiver event, and who elect not to continue with MDPP services virtually can elect to attend ongoing maintenance sessions; and may restart the ongoing maintenance session interval in which they were participating at the start of the applicable 1135 waiver event or may resume with the most recent attendance session of record.

(D)Beneficiaries whose in-person sessions are suspended due to the applicable 1135 waiver event who elect to continue with MDPP services virtually, as described in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, are not eligible to restart the set of MDPP services at a later date, but may elect to suspend the virtual set of MDPP services and resume the set of in-person MDPP services with the most recent attendance session of record.

(E)Beneficiaries may make an election as described in paragraph (e)(3)(v)(A), (B), (C), or (D) of this section, as applicable, only one time per applicable1135 waiver event.

(F)Beneficiary eligibility, as described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, will not be impacted by any changes to the beneficiary's body mass index (BMI) or reduction in hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, or 2-hour plasma glucose test values achieved during the set of MDPP services or any intervening time in which a beneficiary has suspended the set of MDPP services. MDPP suppliers will utilize the following weight measurements as the baseline weight for purposes of determining all weight-loss achievements:

(1)For an MDPP beneficiary who began receiving the set of MDPP services before March 31, 2020, has suspended services during an applicable 1135 waiver event, and then elects to restart the set of MDPP services at the first core session, the MDPP supplier must record a new baseline weight on the date of first core session that restarts the set of MDPP services.

(2)For an MDPP beneficiary who began receiving the Set of MDPP services on or after January 1, 2021, has suspended services during an applicable 1135 waiver event, the MDPP supplier must use the baseline weight recorded at the beneficiary's first core session.

(vi)The minimum weight loss requirements for beneficiary eligibility in the ongoing maintenance session intervals described in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii)(B) and (c)(1)(iii)(B) of this section are waived only for MDPP beneficiaries who were receiving the MDPP set of services prior to January 1, 2021.

(iii)Adheres to a CDC-approved DPP curriculum for maintenance sessions. Core session means an MDPP service that—

(i)Virtual make-up sessions must be furnished in a manner consistent with the DPRP standards for virtual sessions;

(A)Up to 16 core sessions offered at least 1 week apart during months 1 through 6 of the MDPP services period; and

(B)Up to 6 core maintenance sessions offered at least 1 month apart during months 7 through 12 of the MDPP services period.

(ii)An MDPP supplier may only offer virtual make-up sessions based on an individual MDPP beneficiary's request; and

(2)MDPP services period. An MDPP beneficiary's MDPP services period is composed of the following periods and intervals:

(3)Limitations on the MDPP services period. (i) The MDPP services period ends upon completion of the core services period described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.

(iii)An MDPP supplier may offer to an MDPP beneficiary:

(2)An MDPP supplier may offer virtual make-up sessions only if consistent with the requirements in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Virtual make-up sessions are also subject to the following requirements:

(A)No more than 4 virtual make-up sessions within the core services period described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, of which no more than 2 virtual make-up sessions are core maintenance sessions; and

(B)[Reserved]

(3)Make-up sessions furnished in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section that an MDPP beneficiary attends in person are counted toward meeting the attendance requirements described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section and toward achieving the performance goals described in § 414.84(b) of this chapter as if the MDPP beneficiary attended a regularly scheduled session. Virtual make-up sessions furnished in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section are also counted toward such attendance requirements and performance goals, subject to the following limitations:

(i)The MDPP beneficiary receives no more than 4 virtual make-up sessions within the core services period described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, of which no more than 2 virtual make-up sessions may be core maintenance sessions; and

(ii)[Reserved]

(c)Coverage for MDPP services—(1) Beneficiary eligibility. (i) A Medicare beneficiary is eligible for MDPP services offered during the core services period described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section if the beneficiary meets all of the following criteria:

(A)Is enrolled under Medicare Part B;

(B)Attended the first core session within the most recent 12-month time period and, prior to attending this first core session, had not previously received the set of MDPP services in his or her lifetime;

(C)Has, on the date of attendance at the first core session, a body mass index (BMI) of at least 25 if not self-identified as Asian or a BMI of at least 23 if self-identified as Asian;

(D)Has received, within the 12-month time period prior to the date of attendance at the first core session, a hemoglobin A1c test with a value of between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, a fasting plasma glucose test with a value of between 110 and 125 mg/dL, or a 2-hour plasma glucose test (oral glucose tolerance test) with a value of between 140 and 199 mg/dL;

(E)Has, as of the date of attendance at the first core session, no previous diagnosis of diabetes, other than gestational diabetes; and

(F)Does not have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

(d)Make-up sessions. (1) An MDPP supplier may offer a make-up session to an MDPP beneficiary who missed a regularly scheduled session. MDPP make-up sessions may only use In-person, Distance learning, or Online delivery. If an MDPP supplier offers one or more make-up sessions to an MDPP beneficiary, each session must be furnished in accordance with the following requirements:

Subpart C · Subpart C—Home Health Services Under SMI

410.80Applicable rules.#

Home health services furnished under Medicare Part B are subject to the rules set forth in subpart E of part 409 of this chapter.

Subpart D · Subpart D—Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) Services

410.100Included services.#

Subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in §§ 410.102 and 410.105, CORF services means the following services furnished to an outpatient of the CORF by personnel that meet the qualifications set forth in § 485.70 of this chapter. Payment for CORF services are made in accordance with § 414.1105.

(a)Physician's services. CORF facility physician services are administrative in nature and include consultation with and medical supervision of nonphysician staff, participation in plan of treatment reviews and patient care review conferences, and other medical and facility administration activities. Diagnostic and therapeutic services furnished to an individual CORF patient by a physician in a CORF facility are not CORF physician services. These services, if covered, are physician services under § 410.20 with payment for these services made to the physician in accordance with part 414 subpart B.

(b)Physical therapy services. (1) These services include—

(c)Occupational therapy services. These services include—

(1)Teaching of compensatory techniques to permit an individual with a physical impairment or limitation to engage in daily activities.

(2)Evaluation of an individual's level of independent functioning.

(3)Selection and teaching of task-oriented therapeutic activities to restore sensory-integrative function; and

(4)Assessment of an individual's vocational potential, except when the assessment is related solely to vocational rehabilitation.

(d)Speech-language pathology services. These are services for the diagnosis and treatment of speech and language disorders that create difficulties in communication.

(e)Respiratory therapy services. (1) Respiratory therapy services are for the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of patients with deficiencies or abnormalities of cardiopulmonary function.

(2)Respiratory therapy services include the following:

(i)Application of techniques for support of oxygenation and ventilation of the patient.

(ii)Therapeutic use and monitoring of gases, mists, and aerosols and related equipment.

(iii)Bronchial hygiene therapy.

(iv)Pulmonary rehabilitation techniques to develop strength and endurance of respiratory muscles and other techniques to increase respiratory function, such as graded activity services; these services include physiologic monitoring and patient education.

(f)Prosthetic device services. These services include—

(1)Prosthetic devices (excluding dental devices and renal dialysis machines), that replace all or part of an internal body organ or external body member (including contiguous tissue) or replace all or part of the function of a permanently inoperative or malfunctioning external body member or internal body organ; and

(2)Services necessary to design the device, select materials and components, measure, fit, and align the device, and instruct the patient in its use.

(g)Orthotic device services. These services include—

(1)Orthopedic devices that support or align movable parts of the body, prevent or correct deformities, or improve functioning; and

(2)Services necessary to design the device, select the materials and components, measure, fit, and align the device, and instruct the patient in its use.

(h)Social and psychological services. Social and psychological services include the assessment and treatment of an individual's mental and emotional functioning and the response to and rate of progress as it relates to the individual's rehabilitation plan of treatment, including physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, speech-language pathology services and respiratory therapy services.

(i)Nursing care services. Nursing care services include nursing services provided by a registered nurse that are prescribed by a physician and are specified in or directly related to the rehabilitation treatment plan and necessary for the attainment of the rehabilitation goals of the physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, or respiratory therapy plan of treatment.

(ii)Assessment and treatment related to dysfunction caused by illness or injury, and aimed at preventing or reducing disability or pain and restoring lost function.

(2)The establishment of a maintenance therapy program for an individual whose restoration potential has been reached is a physical therapy service; however, maintenance therapy itself is not covered as part of these services.

(j)Drugs and biologicals. These are drugs and biologicals that are the following:

(1)Prescribed by a physician and administered by or under the supervision of a physician or by a registered professional nurse; and

(2)Not excluded from Medicare Part B payment for reasons specified in § 410.29.

(k)Supplies and durable medical equipment. Supplies and durable medical equipment include the following:

(1)Disposable supplies.

(2)Durable medical equipment of the type specified in § 410.38 (except for renal dialysis systems) for a patient's use outside the CORF, whether purchased or rented.

(l)Home environment evaluation. A home environment evaluation—

(1)Is a single home visit to evaluate the potential impact of the home situation on the patient's rehabilitation goals.

(2)Requires the presence of the patient and the physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist, as appropriate.

410.102Excluded services.#

None of the services specified in § 410.100 is covered as a CORF service if the service—

(a)Would not be covered as an inpatient hospital service if furnished to a hospital inpatient;

(b)Is not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member. An example would be services furnished as part of a maintenance program involving repetitive activities that do not require the skilled services of nurses or therapists.

410.105Requirements for coverage of CORF services.#

Services specified in § 410.100 and not excluded under § 410.102 are covered as CORF services if they are furnished by a participating CORF (that is, a CORF that meets the conditions of subpart B of part 485 of this chapter, and has in effect a provider agreement under part 489 of this chapter) and if the following requirements are met:

(a)Referral and medical history. The services must be furnished to an individual who is referred by a physician who certifies that the individual needs skilled rehabilitation services, and makes the following information available to the CORF before or at the time treatment is begun:

(1)The individual's significant medical history.

(2)Current medical findings.

(3)Diagnosis(es) and contraindications to any treatment modality.

(4)Rehabilitation goals, if determined.

(b)When and where services are furnished. (1) All services must be furnished while the individual is under the care of a physician.

(2)Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the services must be furnished on the premises of the CORF.

(3)Exceptions. (i) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services may be furnished away from the premises of the CORF including the individual's home when payment is not otherwise made under Title XVIII of the Act.

(c)Plan of treatment. (1) The service must be furnished under a written plan of treatment that—

(d)Claims. Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2020 physical therapy or occupational therapy services covered as part of a rehabilitation plan of treatment described in paragraph (c) of this section, as applicable—

(1)Claims for such services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant or an occupational therapy assistant must be identified with the inclusion of the respective prescribed modifier; and

(2)Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022, such claims are paid an amount equal to 85 percent of the amount of payment otherwise applicable for the service as defined at section 1834(k) of the Act.

(3)For purposes of this paragraph, “furnished in whole or in part” means when the physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant either—

(i)Furnishes all the minutes of a service exclusive of the respective physical therapist or occupational therapist; or

(ii)Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section, furnishes a portion of a service, or in the case of a 15-minute (or other time interval) timed code, a portion of a unit of service, separately from the part furnished by the physical or occupational therapist such that the minutes for that portion of a service (or unit of a service) exceed 10 percent of the total time for that service (or unit of a service).

(iii)Paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section does not apply when determining whether the prescribed modifier applies to the last 15-minute unit of a service billed for a patient on a treatment day when the physical or occupational therapist provides more than the midpoint of a 15-minute timed code, that is, 8 or more minutes, regardless of any minutes for the same service furnished by the physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant.

(iv)Where there are two remaining 15-minute units to bill of the same service and the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant or the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant, as applicable, each provided between 9 and 14 minutes, with a total time of at least 23 minutes, one unit of the service is billed with the prescribed modifier for the minutes furnished by the physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant and one unit is billed without the prescribed modifier for the service provided by the physical therapist or occupational therapist.

(i)Is established and signed by a physician before treatment is begun; and

(ii)Prescribes the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the services to be furnished, and indicates the diagnosis and anticipated rehabilitation goals.

(2)The plan must be reviewed at least every 60 days for respiratory therapy services and every 90 days for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services by a facility physician or the referring physician who, when appropriate, consults with the professional personnel providing the services.

(3)The reviewing physician must certify or recertify that the plan is being followed, the patient is making progress in attaining the rehabilitation goals, and the treatment is having no harmful effects on the patient.

Subpart E · Subpart E—Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) Providing Partial Hospitalization Services and Intensive Outpatient Services

410.110Requirements for coverage of partial hospitalization services by CMHCs.#

Medicare part B covers partial hospitalization services furnished by or under arrangements made by a CMHC if they are provided by a CMHC as defined in § 410.2 that has in effect a provider agreement under part 489 of this chapter and if the services are—

(a)Prescribed by a physician and furnished under the general supervision of a physician;

(b)Subject to certification by a physician in accordance with § 424.24(e)(1) of this subchapter; and

(c)Furnished under a plan of treatment that meets the requirements of § 424.24(e)(2) of this subchapter.

410.111Requirements for coverage of intensive outpatient services in CMHCs.#

Medicare part B covers intensive outpatient services furnished by or under arrangements made by a CMHC if they are provided by a CMHC as defined in § 410.2 that has in effect a provider agreement under part 489 of this chapter and if the services are—

(a)Prescribed by a physician and furnished under the general supervision of a physician;

(b)Subject to certification by a physician in accordance with § 424.24(d)(1) of this chapter; and

(c)Furnished under a plan of treatment that meets the requirements of § 424.24(d)(2) of this chapter.

Subpart G · Subpart G—Medical Nutrition Therapy

410.130Definitions.#

For the purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply: Chronic renal insufficiency means the stage of renal disease associated with a reduction in renal function not severe enough to require dialysis or transplantation (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 15-59 ml/min/1.73m 2). Diabetes means diabetes mellitus, a condition of abnormal glucose metabolism . Episode of care means services covered in a 12-month time period when coordinated with initial diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and one calendar year for each year thereafter, starting with the assessment and including all covered interventions based on referral(s) from a physician as specified in § 410.132(c). The time period covered for gestational diabetes extends only until the pregnancy ends. Medical nutrition therapy services means nutritional diagnostic, therapeutic, and counseling services provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional for the purpose of managing diabetes or a renal disease. Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the State in which he or she performs such function or action (including a physician within the meaning of section of 1101(a)(7) of the Act). Renal disease means chronic renal insufficiency, end-stage renal disease when dialysis is not received, or the medical condition of a beneficiary for 36 months after kidney transplant.

410.132Medical nutrition therapy.#

(a)Conditions for coverage of MNT services. Medicare Part B pays for MNT services provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional as defined in § 410.134 when the beneficiary is referred for the service by a physician.

(b)Limitations on coverage of MNT services. (1) MNT services based on a diagnosis of renal disease as described in this subpart are not covered for beneficiaries receiving maintenance dialysis for which payment is made under section 1881 of the Act.

(2)A beneficiary may only receive the maximum number of hours covered under the DSMT benefit for both DSMT and MNT during the initial DSMT training period unless additional hours are determined to be medically necessary under the national coverage determination process.

(3)In years when the beneficiary is eligible for MNT and follow-up DSMT, the beneficiary may only receive the maximum number of hours covered under MNT unless additional hours are determined to be medically necessary under the national coverage determination process.

(4)If a beneficiary has both diabetes and renal disease, the beneficiary may only receive the maximum number of hours covered under the renal MNT benefit in one episode of care unless he or she is receiving initial DSMT services, in which case the beneficiary would receive whichever is greater.

(5)An exception to the maximum number of hours in paragraphs (b)(2), (3), and (4) of this section may be made when a physician determines that there is a change of diagnosis, medical condition, or treatment regimen related to diabetes or renal disease that requires a change in MNT during an episode of care.

(c)Referrals. Referral may only be made by a physician when the beneficiary has been diagnosed with diabetes or renal disease as defined in this subpart with documentation noted by a referring physician in the beneficiary's medical record.

410.134Provider qualifications.#

For Medicare Part B coverage of MNT, only a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may provide the services. “Registered dietitian or nutrition professional” means an individual who, on or after December 22, 2000:

(a)Holds a bachelor's or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with completion of the academic requirements of a program in nutrition or dietetics accredited by an appropriate national accreditation organization recognized for this purpose.

(b)Has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional.

(c)Is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which the services are performed. In a State that does not provide for licensure or certification, the individual will be deemed to have met this requirement if he or she is recognized as a “registered dietitian” by the Commission on Dietetic Registration or its successor organization, or meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d)Exceptions. (i) A dietitian or nutritionist licensed or certified in a State as of December 21, 2000 is not required to meet the requirements of (a) and (b) of this section.

(ii)A “registered dietitian” in good standing, as recognized by the Commission of Dietetic Registration or its successor organization, is deemed to have met the requirements of (a) and (b) of this section.

Subpart H · Subpart H—Outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Training and Diabetes Outcome Measurements

410.140Definitions.#

For purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply: ADA stands for the American Diabetes Association. Approved entity means an individual, physician, or entity accredited by an approved organization as meeting one of the sets of quality standards described in § 410.144 and approved by CMS under § 410.141(e) to furnish training. Deemed entity means an individual, physician, or entity accredited by an approved organization, but that has not yet been approved by CMS under § 410.145(b) to furnish training. Diabetes means diabetes mellitus, a condition of abnormal glucose metabolism. NSDSMEP stands for the National Standards for Diabetes Self Management Education Programs. Organization means a national accreditation organization. Rural means an area that meets one of the following conditions:

(1)Is not urbanized (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) and that is designated by the chief executive officer of the State, and certified by the Secretary, as an area with a shortage of personal health services.

(2)Is designated by the Secretary either as an area with a shortage of personal health services or as a health professional shortage area.

(3)Is designated by the Indian Health Service as a health service delivery area as defined in § 36.15 of this title. Training means outpatient diabetes self-management training.

410.141Outpatient diabetes self-management training.#

(a)General rule. Medicare Part B covers training defined in § 410.140 if all of the conditions and requirements of this subpart are met.

(b)Conditions for coverage. The training must meet the following conditions:

(1)Training orders. Following an evaluation of the beneficiary's need for the training, the training is ordered by the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) (as defined in § 410.32(a)(2)) treating the beneficiary's diabetes.

(2)Plan of care. It is included in a comprehensive plan of care established by the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) treating the beneficiary for diabetes that meets the following requirements:

(i)Describes the content, number of sessions, frequency, and duration of the training as written by the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) treating the beneficiary.

(ii)Contains a statement specified by CMS and signed by the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) managing the beneficiary's diabetic condition. By signing this statement, the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) certifies that he or she is managing the beneficiary's diabetic condition and the training described in the plan of care is needed to ensure therapy compliance or to provide the beneficiary with the skills and knowledge to help manage the beneficiary's diabetes. The physician's (or qualified nonphysician practitioner's) statement must identify the beneficiary's specific medical conditions (described in paragraph (d) of this section) that the training will address.

(iii)Provides that any changes to the plan of care are signed by the physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) treating the beneficiary.

(iv)Is incorporated into the approved entity's medical record for the beneficiary and is made available, upon request, to CMS.

(3)Reasonable and necessary. It is reasonable and necessary for treating or monitoring the condition of a beneficiary who meets the conditions described in paragraph (d) of this section.

(c)Types and frequency of training—(1) Initial training— General rule. (i) Medicare Part B covers initial training that meets the following conditions:

(A)Is furnished to a beneficiary who has not previously received initial training under this benefit.

(B)Is furnished within a continuous 12-month period.

(C)Does not exceed a total of 10 hours.

(D)Except as permitted under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, 9 hours of the training are furnished in a group setting consisting of 2 to 20 individuals who need not all be Medicare beneficiaries.

(E)Is furnished in increments of no less than one-half hour.

(F)May include 1 hour of individual training for an assessment of the beneficiary's training needs.

(e)Who may furnish services. Training may be furnished by a physician, individual, or entity that meets the following conditions:

(1)Furnishes other services for which direct Medicare payment may be made.

(2)May properly receive Medicare payment under § 424.73 or § 424.80 of this chapter, which set forth prohibitions on assignment and reassignment of benefits.

(3)Submits necessary documentation to, and is accredited by, an accreditation organization approved by CMS under § 410.142 to meet one of the sets of quality standards described in § 410.144.

(4)Provides documentation to CMS, as requested, including diabetes outcome measurements set forth at § 410.146.

(i)Consists of no more than 2 hours individual or group training for a beneficiary each year.

(ii)Group training consists of 2 to 20 individuals who need not all be Medicare beneficiaries.

(A)No group session is available within 2 months of the date the training is ordered.

(B)The beneficiary's physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) documents in the beneficiary's medical record that the beneficiary has special needs resulting from conditions, such as severe vision, hearing, or language limitations that will hinder effective participation in a group training session.

(2)Follow-up training. After receiving the initial training described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, Medicare covers follow-up training that meets the following conditions:

(d)Beneficiaries who may be covered. Medicare Part B covers outpatient diabetes self-management training for a beneficiary who has been diagnosed with diabetes.

(iii)Is furnished any time in a calendar year following the year in which the beneficiary completes the initial training.

(iv)Is furnished in increments of no less than one-half hour.

(v)The physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) treating the beneficiary must document, in the referral for training and the beneficiary's medical record, the specific medical condition (described in paragraph (d) of this section) that the follow-up training must address.

410.142CMS process for approving national accreditation organizations.#

(a)General rule. CMS may approve and recognize a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization with demonstrated experience in representing the interest of individuals with diabetes to accredit entities to furnish training.

(b)Required information and materials. An organization requesting CMS's approval and recognition of its accreditation program must furnish to CMS the following information and materials:

(1)The requirements and quality standards that the organization uses to accredit entities to furnish training.

(2)If an organization does not use the CMS quality standards or the NSDSMEP quality standards described in § 410.144(a) or (b), a detailed comparison including a crosswalk between the organization's standards and the CMS quality standards described in § 410.144(a).

(3)Detailed information about the organization's accreditation process, including all of the following information:

(i)Frequency of accreditation.

(ii)Copies of accreditation forms, guidelines, and instructions to evaluators.

(iii)Descriptions of the following:

(A)The accreditation review process and the accreditation status decision making process.

(B)The procedures used to notify a deemed entity of deficiencies in its outpatient diabetes self-management training program and procedures to monitor the correction of those deficiencies.

(C)The procedures used to enforce compliance with the accreditation requirements and standards.

(4)Detailed information about the individuals who perform evaluations for the organization, including all of the following information:

(i)The education and experience requirements for the individuals who perform evaluations.

(ii)The content and frequency of continuing education furnished to the individuals who perform evaluations.

(iii)The process used to monitor the performance of individuals who perform evaluations.

(iv)The organization's policies and practices for participation in the accreditation process by an individual who is professionally or financially affiliated with the entity being evaluated.

(5)A description of the organization's data management and analysis system for its accreditation activities and decisions, including the kinds of reports, tables, and other displays generated by that system.

(6)A description of the organization's procedures for responding to and investigating complaints against an approved entity, including policies and procedures regarding coordination of these activities with appropriate licensing bodies, ombudsmen programs, and CMS.

(7)A description of the organization's policies and procedures for withholding or removing a certificate of accreditation for failure to meet the organization's standards or requirements, and other actions the organization takes in response to noncompliance with its standards and requirements.

(8)A description of all types (for example, full or partial) and categories (for example, provisional, conditional, or temporary) of accreditation offered by the organization, the duration of each type and category of accreditation, and a statement identifying the types and categories that will serve as a basis for accreditation if CMS approves the organization.

(9)A list of all of the approved entities currently accredited to furnish training and the type, category, and expiration date of the accreditation held by each of them.

(10)The name and address of each person with an ownership or control interest in the organization.

(11)Documentation that demonstrates its ability to furnish CMS with electronic data in CMS-compatible format.

(12)A resource analysis that demonstrates that its staffing, funding, and other resources are adequate to perform the required accreditation activities.

(13)A statement acknowledging that, as a condition for approval and recognition by CMS of its accreditation program, it agrees to comply with the requirements set forth in §§ 410.142 through 410.146.

(14)Additional information CMS requests to enable it to respond to the organization's request for CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program to accredit entities to furnish training.

(c)Onsite visit. CMS may visit the prospective organization's offices to verify information in the organization's application, including, but not limited to, review of documents, and interviews with the organization's staff.

(d)Notice and comment—(1) Proposed notice. CMS publishes a proposed notice in the Federal Register announcing its intention to approve an organization's request for CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program and the standards it uses to accredit entities to furnish training. The notice includes the following information:

(e)Criteria CMS uses to approve national accreditation organizations. In deciding to approve and recognize an organization's accreditation program to accredit entities to furnish training, CMS considers the following criteria:

(1)The organization uses and enforces quality standards that CMS has determined meet or exceed the CMS quality standards described in § 410.144(a), or uses the NSDSMEP quality standards described in § 410.144(b).

(2)The organization meets the requirements for approved organizations in § 410.143.

(3)The organization is not owned or controlled by the entities it accredits, as defined in § 413.17(b)(2) or (b)(3), respectively, of this chapter.

(4)The organization does not accredit any entity it owns or controls.

(f)Notice of CMS's decision. CMS notifies the prospective organization in writing of its decision. The notice includes the following information:

(1)Statement of approval or denial.

(2)If approved, the expiration date of CMS's approval and recognition of the accreditation program.

(3)If denied, the rationale for the denial and the reconsideration and reapplication procedures.

(g)Reconsideration of adverse decision. An organization that has received CMS's notice of denial of its request for CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program to accredit entities to furnish training may request reconsideration of CMS's decision in accordance with part 488 subpart D of this chapter.

(h)Request for approval following denial. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, an organization that has received CMS's notice of denial of its request for CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program to accredit entities to furnish training may submit a new request to CMS if it meets the following conditions:

(i)Has revised its accreditation program to correct the deficiencies CMS noted in its denial notice.

(ii)Demonstrates, through documentation, the use of one of the sets of quality standards described in § 410.144.

(i)Withdrawal. An organization requesting CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program to accredit entities may withdraw its application at any time.

(ii)If CMS approves the request, the final notice specifies the effective date and the term of the approval, which may not exceed 6 years.

(iii)Resubmits the application in its entirety.

(2)For an organization that has requested reconsideration of CMS's denial of its request for CMS approval and recognition of its accreditation program to accredit entities to furnish training, CMS will not consider the organization's new request until all administrative proceedings on the previous request have been completed.

(j)Applying for continued CMS approval. At least 6 months before the expiration of CMS's approval and recognition of the organization's program, an organization must request from CMS continued approval and recognition.

(k)Change of ownership. An accreditation organization whose accreditation program(s) is (are) approved and recognized by CMS that wishes to undergo a change of ownership is subject to the requirements set out at § 488.5(f) of this chapter.

410.143Requirements for approved accreditation organizations.#

(a)Ongoing responsibilities of an approved accreditation organization. An organization approved and recognized by CMS must undertake the following activities on an ongoing basis:

(1)Provide to CMS in writing, on a monthly basis, all of the following:

(i)Copies of all accreditation decisions and any accreditation-related information that CMS may require (including corrective action plans and summaries of unmet quality standards described in § 410.144).

(ii)Notice of all complaints related to approved entities.

(iii)Within 30 days of taking remedial or adverse action (including revocation, withdrawal, or revision of an approved entity's deemed status) against an approved entity, information describing the remedial or adverse action and the circumstances that led to taking the action.

(iv)Notice of any proposed changes in its accreditation standards and requirements or evaluation process. If an organization implements changes without CMS approval (other than changes to the NSDSMEP quality standards described in § 410.144(b)), CMS may withdraw its approval and recognition of the organization's accreditation program.

(2)If an organization does not use the NSDSMEP quality standards described in § 410.144(b), and wishes to change its quality standards that CMS previously approved, the organization must submit its plan to alter its quality standards and include a crosswalk between the set of quality standards described in § 410.144 and the organization's revised standards. If an organization implements changes in its quality standards without CMS approval, CMS may withdraw its approval and recognition of the organization's accreditation program.

(3)If CMS notifies an organization that uses the CMS quality standards described in § 410.144(a) that it has changed the CMS quality standards, the organization must meet the following requirements:

(i)Submit to CMS, within 30 days of CMS's notification of a change in the quality standards, its organization's plan to alter its quality standards to conform to the revised quality standards described in § 410.144(a).

(ii)Implement the changes to its accreditation program by the implementation date specified in CMS's notification of the changes in the quality standards.

(b)CMS oversight of approved national accreditation organizations. CMS, or its agent, performs oversight activities to ensure that an approved organization and the entities the organization accredits continue to meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144. CMS (or its agent) uses the following procedures:

(1)Equivalency review. CMS compares the organization's standards and its application and enforcement of its standards to a set of quality standards (described in § 410.144) and processes when any of the following conditions exist:

(i)CMS imposes new requirements or changes its process for approving and recognizing an organization.

(ii)Except for an organization that uses the NSDSMEP quality standards, the organization proposes to adopt new standards or changes its accreditation process.

(iii)The organization reapplies to CMS for continuation of its approval and recognition by CMS of its program to accredit entities to furnish training.

(2)Validation reviews. CMS validates an organization's accreditation process by conducting evaluations of approved entities accredited by the organization and comparing its results to the results of the organization's evaluation of the approved entities.

(3)Onsite inspections. CMS may conduct an onsite inspection of the organization's operations and offices to verify information and assess the organization's compliance with its own policies and procedures. The onsite inspection may include, but is not limited to, reviewing documents, auditing documentation of meetings concerning the accreditation process, evaluating accreditation results or the accreditation status decision making process, and interviewing the organization's staff.

(4)Withdrawal of CMS approval and recognition. (i) CMS gives an organization written notice of CMS's intent to withdraw its approval and recognition of the organization's program to accredit entities if CMS determines through an equivalency review, validation review, onsite inspection, or CMS's daily experience with the organization that any of the following conditions exist:

(A)Except for those accrediting organizations using quality standards in § 410.144(b), the quality standards that the organization applies and enforces do not meet or exceed the CMS quality standards described in § 410.144(a).

(B)The organization has failed to meet the requirements for accreditation in §§ 410.142 through 410.144.

(ii)Request for reconsideration. An organization may request a reconsideration of CMS's decision to withdraw its approval and recognition of the organization in accordance with part 488, subpart D of this chapter.

410.144Quality standards for deemed entities.#

An organization approved and recognized by CMS may accredit an entity to meet one of the following sets of quality standards:

(a)CMS quality standards. Standards prescribed by CMS, which include the following:

(1)Organizational structure. (i) Provides the educational resources to support the programs offered and the beneficiaries served, including adequate space, personnel, budget, instructional materials, confidentiality, privacy, and operational support.

(b)The National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. The set of quality standards contained in the NSDSMEP or any NSDSMEP standards subsequently revised.

(c)Standards of a national accreditation organization that represents individuals with diabetes. Standards that meet or exceed the CMS quality standards described in paragraph (a) of this section that have been developed by a national organization (and approved by CMS) that is either a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization with demonstrated experience in representing the interest of individuals, including health care professionals and Medicare beneficiaries, with diabetes.

(ii)Defines clearly and documents the organizational relationships, lines of authority, staffing, job descriptions, and operational policies.

(i)Stresses health outcomes (for example, improved beneficiary diabetes control, beneficiary understanding, or beneficiary compliance) and provides for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that permits measurement of performance outcomes, or other quality indicators.

(ii)Requires an entity to take the following actions:

(4)Team approach. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section for a rural area, furnishes services using a multidisciplinary instructional team that meets the following requirements:

(A)The team includes at least a registered dietitian, as recognized under State law, and a certified diabetes educator (CDE), certified by a qualified organization that has registered with CMS, who have didactic experience and knowledge of diabetes clinical and educational issues. (If the team includes a registered nurse, an approved entity may delay implementation of the requirement for a CDE until February 27, 2004.)

(B)The team is qualified to teach the training content areas required in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.

(C)All appropriate team members must be present during the portion of the training for which they are responsible and must directly furnish the training within the scope of their practices.

(5)Training content. Offers training and is capable of meeting the needs of its patients on the following subjects:

(A)Evaluate itself on an annual basis as to its effectiveness in using performance measures.

(B)Improve its performance on at least one outcome or quality indicator each year.

(10)Quality improvement. Has an agreement with a QIO to participate in quality improvement projects defined by the QIO, or if a program elects not to participate in a QIO project, it must be able to demonstrate a level of achievement through a project of its own design that is comparable to or better than the achievement to be expected from participation in the QIO quality improvement project.

(iii)Based on the assessment, develops, in collaboration with each beneficiary, an individual education plan. Includes in the education plan, the goals for education, the periodic updates, the specific amount of interactive, collaborative, skill-based training methods and didactic training methods that have been and will be furnished.

(7)Review of plan of care and goals. (i) Reviews each beneficiary's plan of care.

(iv)Documents the results, including assessment, intervention, evaluation and follow-up in the beneficiary's medical record.

(ix)Behavior change strategies, goal setting, risk factor reduction, and problem solving.

(v)Forwards a copy of the documentation in paragraph (a)(7)(ii) through (iv) of this section to the referring physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner).

(vi)Periodically updates the beneficiary's referring physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) about the beneficiary's educational status.

(8)Educational intervention. Offers appropriate and timely educational intervention based on referral from the beneficiary's physician (or qualified nonphysician practitioner) and based on periodic reassessments of health status, knowledge, skills, attitudes, goals, and self-care behaviors.

(9)Performance measurement and quality improvement. Establishes and maintains an effective internal performance measurement and quality improvement program that focuses on maximizing outcomes by improving patient safety and quality of care. The program must meet the following requirements:

(A)Development of training materials.

(B)Instruction of beneficiaries.

(2)Environment. Maintains a safe and sanitary environment, properly constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety of all patients and that meets all applicable fire protection and life safety codes.

(3)Program staff. (i) Requires a program coordinator who is responsible for program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

(vii)Prevention, detection, and treatment of chronic complications.

(viii)Foot, skin, and dental care.

(x)Preconception care, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes.

(xi)Relationships among nutrition, exercise, medication, and blood glucose levels.

(xii)Stress and psychosocial adjustment.

(xiii)Family involvement and social support.

(xiv)Benefits, risks, and management options for improving glucose control.

(xv)Use of health care systems and community resources.

(6)Training methods. (i) Offers individual and group instruction for effective training.

410.145Requirements for entities.#

(a)Deemed entities. (1) Except as permitted in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an entity may be deemed to meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144 if the following conditions are met:

(b)Approved entities. An entity may be approved to furnish training if the entity meets the following conditions:

(1)Before submitting a claim for Medicare payment, forwards a copy of its certificate or proof of accreditation from an organization approved by CMS under § 410.142 indicating that the entity meets a set of quality standards described in § 410.144, or before August 27, 2002, submits documentation of its current ADA recognition status.

(2)Agrees to submit to evaluation (including onsite inspections) by CMS (or its agent) to validate its approved organization's accreditation process.

(3)Authorizes its approved organization to release to CMS a copy of its most recent accreditation evaluation, and any accreditation-related information that CMS may require.

(4)At a minimum, allows the QIO (under a contract with CMS) access to beneficiary or group training records.

(c)Effective dates—(1) Deemed to meet quality standards. Except as permitted in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the date on which an entity is deemed to meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144 is the later of one of the following dates:

(i)The date CMS approves and recognizes the accreditation organization to accredit entities to furnish training.

(ii)The date an organization accredits the entity to meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144.

(2)Effective date. The effective date of CMS's removal of an entity's approved status is 60 days after the date of CMS's notice to the entity.

(i)CMS determines, on the basis of its own evaluation or the results of the accreditation evaluation, that the entity does not meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144.

(ii)CMS withdraws its approval of the organization that deemed the entity to meet a set of quality standards described in § 410.144.

(iii)The entity fails to meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d)Removal of approved status—(1) General rule. CMS removes an entity's approved status for any of the following reasons:

410.146Diabetes outcome measurements.#

(a)Information collection. An approved entity must collect and record in an organized systematic manner the following patient assessment information at least on a quarterly basis for a beneficiary who receives training under § 410.141:

(1)Medical information that includes the following:

(i)Duration of the diabetic condition.

(ii)Use of insulin or oral agents.

(iii)Height and weight by date.

(iv)Results and date of last lipid test.

(v)Results and date of last HbA1C.

(vi)Information on self-monitoring (frequency and results).

(vii)Blood pressure with the corresponding dates.

(viii)Date of the last eye exam.

(2)Other information that includes the following:

(i)Educational goals.

(ii)Assessment of educational needs.

(iii)Training goals.

(iv)Plan for a follow-up assessment of achievement of training goals between 6 months and 1 year after the beneficiary completes the training.

(v)Documentation of the training goals assessment.

(b)Follow-up assessment information. An approved entity may obtain information from the beneficiary's survey, primary care physician contact, and follow-up visits.

Subpart I · Subpart I—Payment of SMI Benefits

410.150To whom payment is made.#

(a)General rules. (1) Any SMI enrollee is, subject to the conditions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in this part and in parts 405, 416 and 424 of this chapter, entitled to have payment made as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(2)The services specified in paragraphs (b)(5) through (b)(14) of this section must be furnished by a facility that has in effect a provider agreement or other appropriate agreement to participate in Medicare.

(b)Specific rules. Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, Medicare Part B pays as follows:

(1)To the individual, or to a physician or other supplier on the individual's behalf, for medical and other health services furnished by the physician or other supplier.

(2)To a nonparticipating hospital on the individual's behalf for emergency outpatient services furnished by the hospital, in accordance with subpart G of part 424 of this chapter.

(3)To the individual, for emergency outpatient services furnished by a nonparticipating hospital, in accordance with § 424.53 of this chapter.

(4)To the individual, for physicians' services and ambulance services furnished outside the United States in accordance with § 424.53 of this chapter.

(5)To a provider on the individual's behalf for medical and other health services furnished by the provider (or by others under arrangements made with them by the provider).

(6)To a home health agency on the individual's behalf for home health services furnished by the home health agency.

(7)To a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency on the individual's behalf for outpatient physical therapy or speech pathology services furnished by the clinic or agency (or by others under arrangements made with them by the clinic or agency).

(8)To a rural health clinic or Federally qualified health center on the individual's behalf for rural health clinic or Federally qualified health center services furnished by the rural health clinic or Federally qualified health center, respectively.

(9)To an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) on the individual's behalf for covered ambulatory surgical center facility services that are furnished in connection with surgical procedures performed in an ASC, as provided in part 416 of this chapter.

(10)To a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF) on the individual's behalf for comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services furnished by the CORF.

(11)To a renal dialysis facility, on the individual's behalf, for institutional or home dialysis services, supplies, and equipment furnished by the facility.

(12)To a critical access hospital (CAH) on the individual's behalf for outpatient CAH services furnished by the CAH.

(13)To a community mental health center (CMHC) on the individual's behalf, for partial hospitalization services or intensive outpatient services furnished by the CMHC (or by others under arrangements made with them by the CMHC).

(14)To an SNF for services (other than those described in § 411.15(p)(2) of this chapter) that it furnishes to a resident (as defined in § 411.15(p)(3) of this chapter) of the SNF who is not in a covered Part A stay.

(15)(i) Prior to January 1, 2022, to the qualified employer of a physician assistant for professional services furnished by the physician assistant and for services and supplies provided incident to his or her services. Payment is made to the employer of a physician assistant regardless of whether the physician assistant furnishes services under a W-2, employer-employee employment relationship, or whether the physician assistant is an independent contractor who receives a 1099 reflecting the relationship. Both types of relationships must conform to the appropriate guidelines provided by the Internal Revenue Service. A qualified employer is not a group of physician assistants that incorporate to bill for their services. Payment is made only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amount for services furnished by a physician assistant.

(ii)Effective on or after January 1, 2022, payment is made to a physician assistant for professional services furnished by a physician assistant in all settings in both rural and nonrural areas and for services and supplies furnished incident to those services. Payment is made only if no facility or other provider charges, or is paid, any amount for the furnishing of professional services of the physician assistant.

(16)To a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist for professional services furnished by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in all settings in both rural and nonrural areas and for services and supplies furnished incident to those services. Payment is made only if no facility or other provider charges, or is paid, any amount for the furnishing of the professional services of the nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.

(17)To a clinical psychologist on the individual's behalf for clinical psychologist services and for services and supplies furnished as an incident to his or her services.

(18)To a clinical social worker on the individual's behalf for clinical social worker services.

(19)To a participating HHA, for home health services (including medical supplies described in section 1861(m)(5) of the Act, but excluding durable medical equipment to the extent provided for in such section) furnished to an individual who at the time the item or service is furnished is under a plan of care of an HHA (without regard to whether the item or service is furnished by the HHA directly, under arrangement with the HHA, or under any other contracting or consulting arrangement).

(20)To a certified nurse-midwife for professional services furnished by the certified nurse-midwife in all settings and for services and supplies furnished incident to those services. Payment is made only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amount for the furnishing of the professional services of the certified nurse-midwife.

(21)To a marriage and family therapist on the individual's behalf for marriage and family therapist services.

(22)To a mental health counselor on the individual's behalf for mental health counseling services.

410.152Amounts of payment.#

(a)General provisions—(1) Exclusion from incurred expenses. As used in this section, “incurred expenses” are expenses incurred by an individual, during his or her coverage period, for covered Part B services, excluding the following:

(b)Basic rules for payment. Except as specified in paragraphs (c) through (h) and (m) and (n) of this section, Medicare Part B pays the following amounts:

(1)For services furnished by, or under arrangements made by, a provider other than a nominal charge provider, whichever of the following is less:

(i)80 percent of the reasonable cost of the services.

(ii)The reasonable cost of, or the customary charges for, the services, whichever is less, minus 20 percent of the customary (insofar as reasonable) charges for the services.

(2)For services furnished by, or under arrangements made by, a nominal charge provider, 80 percent of fair compensation.

(3)For emergency outpatient hospital services furnished by a nonparticipating hospital that is eligible to receive payment for those services under subpart G of part 424 of this chapter, the amount specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(4)For services furnished by a person or an entity other than those specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, 80 percent of the reasonable charges or 80 percent of the payment amount computed on any other payment basis for the services.

(c)Amount of payment: Home health services other than durable medical equipment (DME). For home health services other than DME furnished by, or under arrangements made by, a participating HHA, Medicare Part B pays the following amounts:

(1)For services furnished by an HHA that is a nominal charge provider, 100 percent of fair compensation.

(2)For services furnished by an HHA that is not a nominal charge provider, the lesser of the reasonable cost of the services and the customary charges for the services.

(d)Amount of payment: DME furnished as a home health service—(1) Basic rule. Except as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section—

(e)Amount of payment: Renal dialysis services, supplies, and equipment. Effective for services furnished on or after August 1, 1983, Medicare Part B pays for the institutional dialysis services specified in § 409.250 and the home dialysis services, supplies, and equipment specified in § 409.252, as follows:

(1)Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, 80 percent of the per treatment prospective reimbursement rate established under § 413.170 of this chapter, for outpatient maintenance dialysis furnished by ESRD facilities approved in accordance with part 494 of this chapter.

(2)Exception. If a home dialysis patient elects to obtain home dialysis supplies or equipment (or both) from a party other than an approved ESRD facility, payment is in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(f)Amount of payment: Rural health clinic (RHC) and Federally qualified health center (FQHC) services. Medicare Part B pays, for services by a participating RHC or FQHC that is authorized to bill under the reasonable cost system, 80 percent of the costs determined under subpart X of part 405 of this chapter, to the extent those costs are reasonable and related to the cost of furnishing RHC or FQHC services or reasonable on the basis of other tests specified by CMS.

(g)Amount of payment: Used durable medical equipment furnished by otherthan an HHA. Medicare Part B pays the following amounts for used DME purchased by or on behalf of the beneficiary at a price at least 25 percent less than the reasonable charge for comparable new equipment:

(1)For used DME furnished by, or under arrangements made by, a nominal charge provider, 100 percent of fair compensation.

(2)For used DME furnished by or under arrangements made by a provider that is not a nominal charge provider, 100 percent of the reasonable cost of the service or the customary charge for the service, whichever is less.

(3)For used DME furnished by other than a provider, 100 percent of the reasonable charge.

(h)Amount of payment: Preventive vaccine administration. For the administration of the preventive vaccines described in paragraph (l)(1) of this section, as furnished by providers described in §§ 409.100 and 410.150 of this subchapter, Medicare Part B pays the following amounts, except as otherwise provided under this subchapter:

(1)Effective January 1, 2022, for administration of an influenza, hepatitis B or pneumococcal vaccine, $30 per dose.

(2)For the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine:

(i)Effective January 1, 2022, for administration of a COVID-19 vaccine, $40 per dose.

(ii)For services furnished on or after January 1 of the year following the year in which the Secretary ends the March 27, 2020 Emergency Use Authorization declaration for drugs and biologicals (issued at 85 FR 18250) pursuant to section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3), for administration of a COVID-19 vaccine, an amount equal to the amount that would be paid for the administration of a preventive vaccine described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section.

(2)For ASC services furnished on or after January 1, 2008, in connection with the covered surgical procedures specified in § 416.166 of this subchapter, except as provided in paragraphs (i)(2)(i), (i)(2)(ii), and (l) of this section, Medicare Part B pays the lesser of 80 percent of the actual charge or 80 percent of the prospective payment amount, geographically adjusted, if applicable, as determined under Subpart F of Part 416 of this subchapter. Part B coinsurance is 20 percent of the actual charge or 20 percent of the prospective payment amount, geographically adjusted, if applicable

(i)If the limitation described in § 416.167(b)(3) of this subchapter applies, Medicare pays 80 percent of the amount determined under Subpart B of Part 414 of this subchapter and Part B coinsurance is 20 percent of the applicable payment amount, except as provided in paragraph (l) of this section.

(ii)Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010, Medicare Part B pays 75 percent of the applicable payment amount for screening flexible sigmoidoscopies and screening colonoscopies, and Part B coinsurance is 25 percent of the applicable payment amount.

(3)Subject to conditions specified in this paragraph, in addition to the payment described in paragraph (h)(1) or (2) of this section, an additional payment for preventive vaccine administration in the patient's home:

(i)Effective January 1, 2022 for administration of a COVID-19 vaccine in the home, an additional payment of $35.50.

(ii)Effective January 1, 2024, for the administration of one or more of the preventive vaccines described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this section in the home, a payment equal to that of the payment in paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section.

(iii)An additional payment for preventive vaccine administration in the home can be made if:

(A)The patient has difficulty leaving the home, or faces barriers to getting a vaccine in settings other than their home.

(B)The sole purpose of the visit is to administer one or more preventive vaccines.

(C)The home is not an institution that meets the requirements of sections 1861(e)(1), 1819(a)(1), or 1919(a)(1) of the Act, or §§ 409.42(a) of this subchapter.

(4)The payment amount for the administration of a preventive vaccine described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this section, and the additional payment for the administration of a preventive vaccine in the home as described in paragraph (h)(3) of this section, is adjusted to reflect geographic cost variations:

(i)For services furnished before January 1, 2023, using the Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) established for the year, as described in section 1848(e)(1) of the Act and §§ 414.2 and 414.26 of this subchapter.

(ii)For services furnished on or after January 1, 2023, using the Geographic Adjustment Factor (GAF) established for the year as described in section 1848(e)(2) of the Act and §§ 414.2 and 414.26 of this subchapter.

(5)For services furnished on or after January 1, 2023, the payment amount for administration of a preventive vaccine described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this section, and the additional payment for the administration of a preventive vaccine in the home as described in paragraph (h)(3) of this section, is updated annually using the percentage change in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), as described in section 1842(i)(3) of the Act and § 405.504(d) of this subchapter.

(i)Amount of payment: ASC facility services. (1) For ASC facility services furnished on or after July 1, 1987 and before January 1, 2008, in connection with the surgical procedures specified in part 416 of this chapter, Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of a standard overhead amount as specified in § 416.120(c) of this chapter, except that, for screening flexible sigmoidoscopies and screening colonoscopies, Part B coinsurance is 25 percent of the standard overhead amount and Medicare Part B pays 75 percent of the standard overhead amount.

(A)80 percent of the reasonable cost of the service.

(B)The reasonable cost of, or the customary charge for, the service, whichever is less, minus 20 percent of the customary (insofar as reasonable) charge for the service.

(2)Exception. If the DME is used DME purchased by or on behalf of the beneficiary at a price at least 25 percent less than the reasonable charge for new equipment—

(i)The principles and procedures for determining reasonable costs and reasonable charges and the conditions for Medicare payment, as set forth in parts 405 (subparts E and X), 413, and 424 of this chapter.

(ii)The Part B annual deductible (§ 410.160).

(iii)The special rules for payment to health maintenance organizations (HMOs), health care prepayment plans (HCPPs), and competitive medical plans (CMPs) that are set forth in part 417 of this chapter. (A prepayment organization that does not qualify as an HMO, CMP, or HCPP is paid in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of this section.)

(iv)Expenses in excess of the outpatient mental health treatment limitation described in § 410.155.

(v)In the case of expenses incurred for outpatient physical therapy services including speech-language pathology services, the expenses excluded are from the incurred expenses under § 410.60(e). In the case of expenses incurred for outpatient occupational therapy including speech-language pathology services, the expenses excluded are from the incurred expenses under § 410.59(e).

(2)Other applicable provisions. Medicare Part B pays for incurred expenses the amounts specified in paragraphs (b) through (k) of this section, subject to the following:

(j)Amount of payment: services of Federally funded health facilities prior to October 1, 1991. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of charges related to the reasonable costs that a Federally funded health facility incurs in furnishing the services. See § 411.8(b)(6) of this chapter.

(k)Amount of payment: Outpatient CAH services. (1) Payment for CAH outpatient services is the reasonable cost of the CAH in providing these services, as determined in accordance with section 1861(v)(1)(A) of the Act, with § 413.70(b) and (c) of this chapter, and with the applicable principles of cost reimbursement in part 413 and in part 415 of this chapter.

(2)Payment for CAH outpatient services is subject to the applicable Medicare Part B deductible and coinsurance amounts, except as described in § 413.70(b)(2)(iii) of this chapter, with Part B coinsurance being calculated as 20 percent of the customary (insofar as reasonable) charges of the CAH for the services.

(l)Amount of payment: Preventive services. Except as provided otherwise in this paragraph, Medicare Part B pays 100 percent of the Medicare payment amount established under the applicable payment methodology for the service furnished by a provider or supplier for the following preventive services:

(1)Pneumococcal, influenza, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccine and administration.

(2)Screening mammography.

(3)Screening pap tests and screening pelvic exam.

(4)Prostate cancer screening tests (excluding digital rectal examinations).

(5)Colorectal cancer screening tests (excluding barium enemas).

(i)For the colorectal cancer screening tests described in § 410.37(j), Medicare Part B pays at the specified percentage as follows:

(A)80 percent for CY 2022.

(B)85 percent for CY 2023 through 2026.

(D)100 percent beginning January 1, 2030.

(ii)[Reserved]

(6)Bone mass measurement.

(7)Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services.

(8)Cardiovascular screening blood tests.

(9)Diabetes screening tests.

(10)Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

(11)Additional preventive services identified for coverage through the national coverage determination (NCD) process.

(12)Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE).

(13)Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services (PPPS).

(m)Amount of payment: Rebatable drugs. In the case of a rebatable drug (as defined in section 1847A(i)(2)(A) of the Act), including a selected drug (as defined in section 1192(c) of the Act), furnished by providers on or after April 1, 2023, in a calendar quarter during which the payment amount for such drug as specified in section 1847A(i)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) or (bb), as applicable, exceeds the inflation-adjusted amount (as defined in section 1847A(i)(3)(C) of the Act) for such drug, Medicare Part B pays, subject to the deductible, the difference between the allowed payment amount determined under section 1847A of the Act and 20 percent of the inflation-adjusted amount, which is applied as a percent to the payment amount for such calendar quarter.

(n)Amount of payment: Insulin furnished through an item of durable medical equipment. For insulin furnished on or after July 1, 2023 through an item of durable medical equipment (as defined in § 414.202), Medicare Part B pays the difference between the applicable payment amount for such insulin and the coinsurance amount, with the coinsurance amount not to exceed $35 for a month's supply.

(o)Amount of payment: Drugs covered as additional preventive services (DCAPS). For a drug covered as an additional preventive service, as defined at § 410.64, payment must be made as follows:

(1)Payment for a drug covered as an additional preventive service, per section 1861(a)(1)(W)(ii) of the Act and paragraphs (l)(11) of this section and § 410.160(b)(13), is 100 percent of the lesser of—

(i)The actual charge on the claim for program benefits; or

(ii)The amount determined under the fee schedule as described in paragraph (o)(3) of this section.

(2)Payment for the supplying or administration of a drug covered as an additional preventive service per section 1861(a)(1)(W)(ii) of the Act and paragraphs (l)(11) of this section and § 410.160(b)(13), is 100 percent of the lesser of—

(i)The actual charge on the claim for program benefits; or

(ii)The amount determined under the fee schedule as described in paragraph (o)(4) of this section.

(3)The payment limit for a drug covered as an additional preventive service, as defined at § 410.64, appears on the DCAPS fee schedule and is determined as follows:

(i)If Average Sales Price (ASP) data is available for the drug, consistent with part 414, subpart J, of this chapter, then the payment limit is determined using the methodology set forth in section 1847A of the Act and according to the provisions in part 414, subpart K, of this chapter.

(ii)If ASP data is not available, then the payment limit is determined according to the most recently published National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) prices for the drug and is the lesser of the median NADAC price of all generic forms of the drug or the lowest NADAC price brand name product.

(iii)If ASP data and NADAC prices are not available, then the payment limit is determined according to the most recently published pharmaceutical pricing data for the drug as included in the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), as managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs per 48 CFR part 38, and is the lesser of the median FSS price of all generic forms of the drug or the lowest FSS price brand name product.

(iv)If ASP data, NADAC prices, and FSS pharmaceutical prices are not available, then the payment limit is the invoice price determined by the MAC.

(4)The payment limits for supplying and administering a drug covered as an additional preventive service, as defined at § 410.64, appear on the DCAPS fee schedule and are determined as follows:

(i)For a drug that is supplied by a pharmacy, the payment limit for a supplying fee is as follows:

(A)For the first prescription that the pharmacy provides to a beneficiary in a 30-day period for a drug covered as an additional preventive service, $24.

(B)For all subsequent prescriptions that the pharmacy provides to a beneficiary in a 30-day period for a drug covered as an additional preventive service, $16.

(ii)For a drug that is administered by a physician or a non-physician practitioner, the payment limit for administration is set in accordance with part 414, subpart B, of this chapter. This fee is not subject to the Part B deductible, per § 410.160(b)(13). This fee is equal to 100 percent of the Medicare payment amount established under the applicable payment methodology, per paragraph (l)(11) of this section. Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 410.152, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

410.155Outpatient mental health treatment limitation.#

(a)Limitation. For services subject to the limitation as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the percentage of the expenses incurred for such services during a calendar year that is considered incurred expenses under Medicare Part B when determining the amount of payment and deductible under § 410.152 and § 410.160 of this part, respectively, is as follows:

(1)For expenses incurred in years before 2010, 62 1/2 percent.

(2)For expenses incurred in 2010 and 2011, 68 3/4 percent.

(3)For expenses incurred in 2012, 75 percent.

(4)For expenses incurred in 2013, 81 1/4 percent.

(5)For expenses incurred in CY 2014 and subsequent years, 100 percent.

(b)Application of the limitation—(1) Services subject to the limitation. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, services furnished by physicians and other practitioners, whether furnished directly or incident to those practitioners' services, are subject to the limitation if they are furnished in connection with the treatment of a mental, psychoneurotic, or personality disorder (that is, any condition identified by a diagnosis code within the range of 290 through 319) and are furnished to an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital:

(c)General formula. A general formula for calculating the amount of Medicare payment and the patient liability for outpatient mental health services subject to the limitation is as follows:

(1)Multiply the Medicare approved amount by the percentage of incurred expenses that is recognized as incurred expenses for Medicare payment purposes for the year involved;

(2)Subtract from this amount the amount of any remaining Part B deductible for the patient and year involved; and,

(3)Multiply this amount by 0.80 (80 percent) to obtain the Medicare payment amount.

(4)Subtract the Medicare payment amount from the Medicare-approved amount to obtain the patient liability amount.

(i)Services furnished by physicians and other practitioners, whether furnished directly or as an incident to those practitioners' services.

(ii)Services provided by a CORF.

(2)Services not subject to the limitation. Services not subject to the limitation include the following:

(i)Services furnished to a hospital inpatient.

(ii)Brief office visits for the sole purpose of monitoring or changing drug prescriptions used in the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, or personality disorders billed under HCPCS code M0064 (or its successor).

(iii)Partial hospitalization services or intensive outpatient services not directly provided by a physician.

(iv)Psychiatric diagnostic services billed under CPT codes 90801 and 90802 (or successor codes) and diagnostic psychological and neuropsychological tests billed under CPT code range 96101 through 96125 (or successor codes) that are performed to establish a diagnosis.

(v)Medical management such as that furnished under CPT code 90862 (or its successor code), as opposed to psychotherapy, furnished to a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

(3)Payment amounts. The Medicare payment amount and the patient liability amounts for outpatient mental health services subject to the limitation for each year during which the limitation is phased out are as follows: Calendar year Recognized incurredexpenses Patient pays Medicare pays CY 2009 and prior calendar years 62.50% 50% 50% CYs 2010 and 2011 68.75% 45% 55% CY 2012 75.00% 40% 60% CY 2013 81.25% 35% 65% CY 2014 100.00% 20% 80%

410.160Part B annual deductible.#

(a)Basic rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, incurred expenses (as defined in § 410.152) are subject to, and count toward meeting the annual deductible.

(b)Exceptions. Expenses incurred for the following services are not subject to the Part B annual deductible and do not count toward meeting that deductible:

(1)Home health services.

(2)Pneumococcal, influenza, and hepatitis b, and COVID-19 vaccines and their administration.

(3)Federally qualified health center services.

(4)ASC facility services furnished before July 1987 and physician services furnished before April 1988 that met the requirements for payment of 100 percent of the reasonable charges.

(5)Screening mammography services as described in § 410.34 (c) and (d).

(6)Screening pelvic examinations as described in § 410.56.

(7)Beginning January 1, 2007, colorectal cancer screening tests as described in § 410.37.

(8)Beginning January 1, 2011, for a surgical service, and beginning January 1, 2015, for an anesthesia service, furnished in connection with, as a result of, and in the same clinical encounter as a planned colorectal cancer screening test. A surgical or anesthesia service furnished in connection with, as a result of, and in the same clinical encounter as a colorectal cancer screening test means—a surgical or anesthesia service furnished on the same date as a planned colorectal cancer screening test as described in § 410.37.

(9)Beginning January 1, 2009, initial preventive physical examinations as described in § 410.16.

(10)Bone mass measurement.

(11)Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services.

(12)Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services (PPPS).

(13)Additional preventive services identified for coverage through the national coverage determination (NCD) process.

(c)Application of the Part B annual deductible. (1) Before payment is made under § 410.152, an individual's incurred expenses for the calendar year are reduced by the Part B annual deductible.

(2)The Part B annual deductible is applied to incurred expenses in the order in which claims for those expenses are processed by the Medicare program.

(3)Only one Part B annual deductible may be imposed for any calendar year and it may be met by any combination of expenses incurred in that year.

(d)Special rule for services reimbursable on a formula basis. (1) In applying the formula that takes into account reasonable costs, customary charges, and customary (insofar as reasonable) charges, and is used to determine payment for services furnished by a provider that is not a nominal charge provider, the Medicare intermediary takes the following steps:

(e)Special rule for services of an independent rural health clinic. Application of the Part B annual deductible to rural health clinic services is in accordance with § 405.2425(b)(2) of this chapter.

(f)Amount of the Part B annual deductible. (1) Beginning with expenses for services furnished during calendar year 2006, and for all succeeding years, the annual deductible is the previous year's deductible plus the annual percentage increase in the monthly actuarial rate for Medicare enrollees age 65 and over, rounded to the nearest dollar.

(2)For 2005, the deductible is $110.

(3)From 1991 through 2004, the deductible was $100.

(4)From 1982 through 1990, the deductible was $75.

(5)From 1973 through 1981, the deductible was $60.

(6)From 1966 through 1972, the deductible was $50.

(g)Carryover of Part B annual deductible. For calendar years before 1982, the Part B annual deductible was reduced by the amount of expenses incurred during the last quarter of the preceding year that was applied to meet the deductible for that preceding year. Example: If $20 of expenses incurred in November 1980 was used to meet the 1980 deductible, the 1981 deductible was reduced to $40 ($60-$20).

(h)Examples of application of the annual deductible. (1) Mr. A submitted claims for the following expenses incurred during 1982: $20 for services furnished in March by physician X; $30 for services furnished in April by physician Y; $50 for services furnished in June by physician Z, for a total of $100. The carrier determined that the charges as submitted were the reasonable charges. The first $75 of expenses for which claims were processed is applied to meet the $75 deductible for that year. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the remaining $25, or $20.

(2)Mr. B submitted a claim that included a $25 charge by a doctor for an examination to prescribe a hearing aid and an $80 charge for office surgery. This was the first claim relating to Mr. B's medical expenses processed in the calendar year. The carrier disallowed the $25 charge because the type of examination is not covered by Medicare. The carrier reduced the $80 surgery charge to a reasonable charge of $40. Only the $40 reasonable charge for covered services will count toward meeting Mr. B's deductible. Since the remainder of the surgery charge constitutes and excess over the reasonable charge, it cannot be applied to satisfy Mr. B's deductible.

(3)Mr. C became entitled to Medicare Part B benefits on July 1, 1982. He incurred expenses of $200 in July, August, and September. The carrier determined that the changes as submitted were reasonable. Even though Mr. C was entitled to benefits for only half the year, he must meet the full $75 deductible. Thus, $75 of this expense constitutes Mr. C's deductible. Medicare would pay $100, which is 80 percent of the remaining $125.

(i)Reduces the customary charges for the services by an amount equal to any unmet portion of the deductible for the calendar year, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. (The amount of this reduction is considered to be the amount of the deductible that is met on the basis of the services to which it is applied.)

(ii)Determines 20 percent of any remaining portion of the customary (insofar as reasonable) charge.

(iii)Determines the lesser of the reasonable cost of the services and the customary charges for the services.

(iv)Reduces the amount determined under paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section by the sum of the reduction made under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section and the amount determined under parargaph (c)(1)(ii) of this section.

(v)Reduces the reasonable cost of the services by the amount of the reduction made under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section and multiplies the result by 80 percent.

(2)In accordance with § 410.152(b)(1), the amount payable is the amount determined under paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section, or the amount determined under paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section, whichever is less.

410.161Part B blood deductible.#

(a)General rules. (1) As used in this section, packed red cells means the red blood cells that remain after plasma is separated from whole blood.

(2)A unit of packed red cells is treated as the equivalent of a pint of whole blood, which in this section is referred to as a unit of whole blood.

(3)Medicare does not pay for the first 3 units of whole blood or units of packed red cells that are furnished under Part A or Part B in a calendar year. The Part B blood deductible is reduced to the extent that a blood deductible has been applied under Part A.

(4)The blood deductible does not apply to other blood components such as platelets, fibrinogen, plasma, gamma globulin and serum albumin, or to the costs of processing, storing, and administering blood.

(5)The blood deductible is in addition to the Part B annual deductible specified in § 410.160.

(b)Beneficiary's responsibility for the first 3 units of blood. (1) The beneficiary is responsible for the first three units of whole blood or packed red cells received during a calendar year.

(2)If the blood is furnished by a hospital or CAH, the rules set forth in § 409.87 (b), (c), and (d) of this chapter apply.

(3)If the blood is furnished by a physician, clinic, or other supplier that has accepted assignment of Medicare benefits, or claims payment under § 424.64 of this chapter because the beneficiary died without assigning benefits, the supplier may charge the beneficiary the reasonable charge for the first 3 units, to the extent that those units are not replaced.

410.163Payment for services furnished to kidney donors.#

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, there are no deductible or coinsurance requirements with respect to services furnished to an individual who donates a kidney for transplant surgery.

410.165Payment for rural health clinic services and ambulatory surgical center services: Conditions.#

(a)Medicare Part B pays for covered rural health clinic and Federally qualified health center services if—

(1)The services are furnished in accordance with the requirements of subpart X of part 405 of this chapter and subpart A of part 491 of this chapter; and

(2)The clinic or center files a written request for payment on the form and in the manner prescribed by CMS.

(b)Medicare Part B pays for covered ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services if—

(1)The services are furnished in accordance with the requirements of part 416 of this chapter; and

(2)The ASC files a written request for payment on the form and in the manner prescribed by CMS.

410.170Payment for home health services, for medical and other health services furnished by a provider or an approved ESRD facility, and for comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF) services: Conditions.#

Payment under Medicare Part B, for home health services, for medical and other health services, or for CORF services, may be made to the provider or facility only if the following conditions are met:

(a)Request for payment. A written request for payment is filed by or on behalf of the individual to whom the services were furnished.

(b)Physician or allowed practitioner certification. For home health services, a physician or allowed practitioner provides certification and recertification in accordance with § 424.22 of this chapter.

(c)In the case of home dialysis support services described in § 410.52, the services are furnished in accordance with a written plan prepared and periodically reviewed by a team that includes the patient's physician and other professionals familiar with the patient's condition as required by § 494.90 of this chapter.

410.172Payment for partial hospitalization services in CMHCs: Conditions.#

Medicare Part B pays for partial hospitalization services furnished in a CMHC on behalf of an individual only if the following conditions are met:

(a)The CMHC files a written request for payment on the CMS form 1450 and in the manner prescribed by CMS; and

(b)The services are furnished in accordance with the requirements described in § 410.110.

410.173Payment for intensive outpatient services in CMHCs: Conditions.#

Medicare Part B pays for intensive outpatient services furnished in a CMHC on behalf of an individual only if the following conditions are met:

(a)The CMHC files a written request for payment on the CMS form 1450 and in the manner prescribed by CMS; and

(b)The services are furnished in accordance with the requirements described in § 410.111.

410.175Alien absent from the United States.#

(a)Medicare does not pay Part B benefits for services furnished to an individual who is not a citizen or a national of the United States if those services are furnished in any month for which the individual is not paid monthly social security cash benefits (or would not be paid if he or she were entitled to those benefits) because he or she has been outside the United States continuously for 6 full calendar months.

(b)Payment of benefits resumes with services furnished during the first full calendar month the alien is back in the United States.

United States Government work; public domain under 17 U.S.C. § 105.

Defined terms · 9

History · 13 versions

Key facts

410.1Basis and scope.#

410.2Definitions.#

410.3Scope of benefits.#

410.5Other applicable rules.#

410.10Medical and other health services: Included services.#

410.12Medical and other health services: Basic conditions and limitations.#

410.14Special requirements for services furnished outside the United States.#

410.15Annual wellness visits providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.16Initial preventive physical examination: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.17Cardiovascular disease screening tests.#

410.18Diabetes screening tests.#

410.19Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms: Condition for and limitation on coverage.#

410.20Physicians' services.#

410.21Limitations on services of a chiropractor.#

410.22Limitations on services of an optometrist.#

410.23Screening for glaucoma: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.24Limitations on services of a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine.#

410.25Limitations on services of a podiatrist.#

410.26Services and supplies incident to a physician's professional services: Conditions.#

410.27Therapeutic outpatient hospital or CAH services and supplies incident to a physician's or nonphysician practitioner's service: Conditions.#

410.28Hospital or CAH diagnostic services furnished to outpatients: Conditions.#

410.29Limitations on drugs and biologicals.#

410.30Prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy.#

410.31Bone mass measurement: Conditions for coverage and frequency standards.#

410.32Diagnostic x-ray tests, diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests: Conditions.#

410.33Independent diagnostic testing facility.#

410.34Mammography services: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.35X-ray therapy and other radiation therapy services: Scope.#

410.36Medical supplies, appliances, and devices: Scope.#

410.37Colorectal cancer screening tests: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.38Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS): Scope and conditions.#

410.39Prostate cancer screening tests: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.#

410.40Coverage of ambulance services.#

410.41Requirements for ambulance providers and suppliers.#

410.42Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.#

410.43Partial hospitalization services: Conditions and exclusions.#

410.44Intensive outpatient services: Conditions and exclusions.#

410.45Rural health clinic services: Scope and conditions.#

410.46Physician and other practitioner services furnished in or at the direction of an IHS or Indian tribal hospital or clinic: Scope and conditions.#

410.47Pulmonary rehabilitation program: Conditions for coverage.#

410.48Kidney disease education services.#

410.49Cardiac rehabilitation program and intensive cardiac rehabilitation program: Conditions of coverage.#

410.50Institutional dialysis services and supplies: Scope and conditions.#

410.52Home dialysis services, supplies, and equipment: Scope and conditions.#

410.53Marriage and family therapist services.#

410.54Mental health counselor services.#

410.55Services related to kidney donations: Conditions.#

410.56Screening pelvic examinations.#

410.57Preventive vaccines.#

410.58Additional services to HMO and CMP enrollees.#

410.59Outpatient occupational therapy services: Conditions.#

410.60Outpatient physical therapy services: Conditions.#

410.61Plan of treatment requirements for outpatient rehabilitation services.#

410.62Outpatient speech-language pathology services: Conditions and exclusions.#

410.63Hepatitis B vaccine and blood clotting factors: Conditions.#

410.64Additional preventive services.#

410.66Emergency outpatient services furnished by a nonparticipating hospital and services furnished in a foreign country.#

410.67Medicare coverage and payment of Opioid use disorder treatment services furnished by Opioid treatment programs.#

410.68Antigens: Scope and conditions.#

410.69Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant: Basic rule and definitions.#

410.71Clinical psychologist services and services and supplies incident to clinical psychologist services.#

410.72Registered dietitians' and nutrition professionals' services.#

410.73Clinical social worker services.#

410.74Physician assistants' services.#

410.75Nurse practitioners' services.#

410.76Clinical nurse specialists' services.#

410.77Certified nurse-midwives' services: Qualifications and conditions.#

410.78Telehealth services.#

410.79Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model: Conditions of coverage.#

410.80Applicable rules.#

410.100Included services.#

410.102Excluded services.#

410.105Requirements for coverage of CORF services.#

410.110Requirements for coverage of partial hospitalization services by CMHCs.#

410.111Requirements for coverage of intensive outpatient services in CMHCs.#

410.130Definitions.#

410.132Medical nutrition therapy.#