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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 a Pneumatic Compression Device (PCD) coded as E0652, is covered for the treatment of lymphedema extending onto the chest, trunk and/or abdomen when all of the following are met: 

The beneficiary has lymphedema of an extremity as defined above 
The coverage criteria for an E0650 or E0651 are met 
The beneficiary has lymphedema extending onto the chest, trunk and/or abdomen that extends past the limits of a standard compression sleeve, and the chest, trunk and/or abdominal lymphedema has failed to improve with a four-week trial. (See below for trial guidelines.)

A PCD coded as E0652 used to treat lymphedema extending onto the chest, trunk and/or abdomen that does not meet all of the requirements above is not eligible for reimbursement. Claims will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. A PCD coded as E0652 used to treat lymphedema not extending onto the chest, trunk and/or abdomen or CVI is not eligible for reimbursement. Claims will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. At the end of the four-week trial, if there has been improvement of the lymphedema extending onto the chest, trunk and/or abdomen, then reimbursement for an E0652 is not justified. Where improvement has occurred, the trial of conservative therapy must be continued with subsequent reassessment at intervals at least a week apart. When and only when no significant improvement has occurred in the most recent four weeks and the coverage criteria above are still met, an E0652 is eligible for reimbursement. The trial of conservative therapy must be documented in the beneficiary's medical record before prescribing any type of pneumatic compression device (E0650, E0651, E0652). This assessment may be performed by the treating practitioner or any other licensed/certified medical professional (LCMP) directly involved in the beneficiary's lymphedema treatment. The LCMP may not have any financial relationship with the DMEPOS supplier providing the device. If the assessment is performed by an LCMP, the treating practitioner must receive and review the report of the evaluation. In addition, the treating practitioner must sign and date the report, and state concurrence or disagreement with the assessment. The signature date must be on or before the prescription date. A PCD coded as E0650 or E0651 is used for lymphedema or CVI. An E0650 compressor with a segmented appliance/sleeve (E0671, E0672, E0673) is considered functionally equivalent to an E0651 compressor with a segmented appliance/sleeve (E0667, E0668, E0669). PCD related accessories (E0655, E0656, E0657, E0660, E0665, E0666, E0667, E0668, E0669, E0670, E0671, E0672, E0673) are eligible for reimbursement only when the appropriate, related base PCDs (E0650, E0651, E0652, E0675) meets the applicable coverage criteria for that type of PCD. If the base PCD is not covered, related accessories are not eligible for reimbursement. Claims for related items will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Pneumatic Compression Devices (L33829).

If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.

You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Pneumatic Compression Devices (L33829).

If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.