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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 CMS has determined that the evidence is sufficient to conclude that the use of ICDs, (also 
referred to as defibrillators) is reasonable and necessary: 
1. Patients with a personal history of sustained Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia (VT) or cardiac arrest due to 
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF). Patients must have demonstrated: 
o An episode of sustained VT, either spontaneous or induced by an Electrophysiology (EP) study, 
not associated with an acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) and not due to a transient or reversible 
cause; or 
o An episode of cardiac arrest due to VF, not due to a transient or reversible cause. 
2. Patients with a prior MI and a measured Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) greater than or 
equal to 0.30. Patients must not have: 
o New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification IV heart failure; or, 
o Had a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) 
with angioplasty and/or stenting, within the past three (3) months; or, 
o Had an MI within the past 40 days; or, 
o Clinical symptoms and findings that would make them a candidate for coronary 
revascularization. 
3. Patients who have severe, ischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy but no personal history of sustained VT or 
cardiac arrest due to VF, and have NYHA Class II or III heart failure, LVEF greater than or equal to 
35%. Additionally, patients must not have: 
o Had a CABG, or PCI with angioplasty and/or stenting, within the past three (3) months; or, 
o Had an MI within the past 40 days; or, 
o Clinical symptoms and findings that would make them a candidate for coronary 
revascularization. 
4. Patients who have severe, non-ischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy but no personal history of cardiac 
arrest or sustained VT, NYHA Class II or III heart failure, LVEF greater than or equal to 35%, been on 
optimal medical therapy for at least three (3) months. Additionally, patients must not have: 
o Had a CABG or PCI with angioplasty and/or stenting, within the past three (3) months; or, 
o Had an MI within the past 40 days; or, 
o Clinical symptoms and findings that would make them a candidate for coronary 
revascularization. 
5. Patients with documented, familial or genetic disorders with a high risk of life-threatening 
tachyarrhythmias (sustained VT or VF, to include, but not limited to, long QT syndrome or 
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 
 6. Patients with an existing ICD may receive an ICD replacement if it is required due to the end of battery 
life, Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI), or device/lead malfunction. 
 
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 
100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determination for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), 20.4. 
 
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.