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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 state that Medicare covers pneumatic devices when medically necessary for the treatment of 
lymphedema and/ or for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with venous stasis ulcers. You can find 
this in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-03, Medicare 
National Coverage Determinations Manual, Chapter 1, Section 280.6. 
 
A pneumatic compression device (PCD) coded as E0650 or E0651 is covered for both primary and secondary 
lymphedema in beneficiaries with chronic and severe lymphedema when all of the following three 
requirements are met: 
 
    The beneficiary has a diagnosis of lymphedema as defined above, and 
    The beneficiary has persistence of chronic and severe lymphedema as identified by the documented presence 
of at least one of the following clinical findings: 
        Marked hyperkeratosis with hyperplasia and hyperpigmentation, 
        Papillomatosis cutis lymphostatica, 
        Deformity of elephantiasis, 
        Skin breakdown with persisting lymphorrhea, 
        Detailed measurements over time confirming the persistence of the lymphedema with a history evidencing 
a likely etiology, and 
    In addition to this documented persistence, the lymphedema is then documented to be unresponsive to other 
clinical treatment over the course of a required four-week trial. (See below for trial guidelines.) 
 
A PCD coded as E0650 or E0651 used to treat lymphedema 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 E0650 or E0651 used to treat edema from causes other than lymphedema is not eligible for 
reimbursement. Claims will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 
 
A four-week trial of conservative therapy demonstrating failed response to treatment is required. The four-
week trial of conservative therapy must include all of the following:  
    Regular and compliant use of an appropriate compression bandage system or compression garment to 
provide adequate graduated compression 
        Adequate compression is defined as (1) sufficient pressure at the lowest pressure point to cause fluid 
movement, and (2) sufficient pressure across the gradient (from highest to lowest pressure point) to move fluid 
from distal to proximal. The compression used must not create a tourniquet effect at any point. 
        The garment may be prefabricated or custom-fabricated but must provide adequate graduated compression 
starting with a minimum of 30 mmHg distally. 
    Regular exercise 
    Elevation of the limb 
 
When available, manual lymphatic drainage is a key component of conservative treatment as is appropriate 
medication treatment when there is concurrent congestive failure. 
 
At the end of the four-week trial, if there has been improvement, then reimbursement for a PCD 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. Only when no significant improvement has occurred in the most 
recent four weeks and the coverage criteria above are still met, may the lymphedema be considered 
unresponsive to conservative therapy, and coverage for a PCD considered. 
 
The medical necessity determination for a PCD by the treating practitioner must include symptoms and 
objective findings, including measurements, to establish the severity of the condition. 
 
The documentation by the treating practitioner of the medical necessity of a pneumatic compression device 
must include: 
 
    The patients diagnosis and prognosis; 
    Symptoms and objective findings, including measurements which establish the severity of the condition; 
    The reason the device is required, including the treatments which have been tried and failed; and 
    The clinical response to an initial treatment with the device 
 
At a minimum, re-assessments conducted for a trial must include detailed measurements, obtained in the same 
manner and with reference to the same anatomic landmarks, prior to and at the conclusion of the various trials 
and therapy, with bilateral comparisons where appropriate. 
 
The trial of conservative therapy must be documented in the beneficiarys 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 
beneficiarys 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. 
 
You can find this information in the 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. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.