Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. The rules say that medically necessary services are those that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury. Medically necessary services include services to improve the functioning of a malformed body member. You can find this rule in the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A).The rules say that services that are not medically necessary are not covered. The rules also say that experimental and investigational devices are not covered. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Sections 411.15 and 411.15(o). The rules say continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices covered by Medicare under the DME benefit are defined in CMS Ruling 1682R as therapeutic CGMs. Refer to the Non-Medical Necessity Coverage and Payment Rules in the LCD-related Policy Article for additional information. Therapeutic CGMs and related supplies are covered by Medicare when all of the following coverage criteria (1-6) are met:1.   The beneficiary has diabetes mellitus (Refer to the "ICD-10 Codes that are Covered" section of the LCD-related Policy Article, A52464, for applicable diagnoses); and,2.   The beneficiary has been using a blood glucose monitor (BGM) andperforming frequent (four or more times a day) testing; and,3.   The beneficiary is insulin-treated with multiple (three or more) daily injections of insulin or a Medicare-covered continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump; and,4.   The beneficiary's insulin treatment regimen requires frequent adjustment by the beneficiary on the basis of BGM or CGM testing results; and,5.   Within six (6) months prior to ordering the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-person visit with the beneficiary to evaluate their diabetes control and determined that criteria (1-4) above are met; and,6.   Every six (6) months following the initial prescription of the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-person visit with the beneficiary to assess adherence to their CGM regimen and diabetes treatment plan.When a therapeutic CGM (code K0554) is covered, the related supply allowance (code K0553) is also covered. If any of coverage criteria (1-6) are not met, the CGM and related supply allowance will be deniedas not reasonable and necessary.  To be eligible for coverage of home blood glucose monitors and related accessories and supplies, the beneficiary must meet both of the following basic criteria (1) -(2): 1. The beneficiary has diabetes (Reference ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity section for applicable diagnoses); and2. The beneficiary's physician has concluded that the beneficiary (or the beneficiary's caregiver) has sufficient training using the particular device prescribed as evidenced by providing a prescription for the appropriate supplies and frequency of blood glucose testing.Home blood glucose monitors with special features (HCPCS codes E2100, E2101) are covered when the basic coverage criteria (1)-(2) are met and the treating physician certifies that the beneficiary has a severe visual impairment (i.e., best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in both eyes) requiring use of this special monitoring system. You can find this information in Local Coverage Determination, Glucose Monitors, L33822.