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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 cardiovascular nuclear imaging employs non-invasive techniques to assess alterations in 
coronary artery flow, and ventricular function. 
 
The specific imaging technique (perfusion versus ventricular function) and the reason for the imaging 
determine which radionuclide agent is employed. A myocardial perfusion study utilizes an imaging isotope 
agent that reflects segmental and global myocardial blood flow and uptake, the interpretation of which is used 
to make inference about the presence of scar and ischemia. 
 
Ventricular function studies utilize specific imaging isotopes to outline the borders of the ventricular 
endocardium, or to identify the ventricular blood pool independent of the surrounding myocardium. The 
motion of the left ventricle, synchronized with the electrocardiogram, is used to generate wall motion and 
ejection fraction information. 
 
These tests may be performed at rest and during exercise, or with pharmacologic intervention when exercise 
cannot be performed. The acquisition of the images may be planar (single plane) or by multiple planes with 
computer integration, SPECT (single-photon emission computer tomography). 
 
Indications: 
Cardiovascular nuclear imaging is indicated for the following: 
 
Assessment of the functional and prognostic importance of angina; 
 
Diagnostic evaluation of patients with chest pain and uninterpretable or equivocal ECG changes caused by 
drugs, bundle branch block, or left ventricular hypertrophy; 
 
Assessment of congenital anomalies of coronary arteries; 
 
Risk assessment or re-evaluation of disease in patients who are asymptomatic or have stable symptoms, with 
known atherosclerotic heart disease on catheterization or SPECT perfusion imaging, who have not had a revascularization procedure within the past two years; 
 
Detection of coronary artery disease in patients, without chest pain syndrome, with new-onset of diagnosed 
heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction; 
 
Evaluation of ischemic versus non-ischemic cardiomyopathy when cardiac catheterization / coronary 
angiography are not planned; 
 
Evaluation of myocardial perfusion and/or function before and after coronary artery bypass surgery or other re-
perfusion procedures; 
 
Quantification and surveillance of myocardial infarction and prognostication in patients with infarction; 
 
Preoperative assessment for non-cardiac surgery, when used to determine risk for surgery and/or perioperative 
management in: 
 patients with minor or intermediate clinical risk predictors and poor functional capacity; 
 patients with intermediate or high likelihood of coronary heart disease, or 
 patients with poor functional capacity undergoing high risk non-cardiac surgery; 
The "ACA/AHA 2007 Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Care for Non-Cardiac 
Surgery" (JACC 2007; 50:e159-e242) provides this information: 
High risk surgery: aortic and peripheral vascular surgery 
Intermediate risk surgery: intraperitoneal and intrathoracic surgery, carotid endarterectomy, head & neck 
surgery, orthopedic surgery, prostate surgery. 
Low risk surgery: endoscopic procedures, superficial surgery, cataract surgery, breast surgery, ambulatory 
surgery 
Poor functional capacity = less than 4 METS 
Clinical risk factors: 
  
o  
 1) history of ischemic heart disease 
 2) history of compensated or prior heart failure 
 3) history of cerebrovascular disease 
 4) diabetes mellitus 
 5) renal insufficiency 
 
Limitations: 
 
Special Equipment Requirements: 
 
Given the limitations of uptake, low photon energy and redistribution, the cardiac blood pool codes and 
perfusion imaging codes are not generally covered on the same date of service. However, in light of the 
predictive value of exercise-induced changes in ejection fraction, an exception will be made to allow first pass, 
single study with exercise along with the appropriate perfusion studies. Providers who bill this service must certify within their records that their laboratories are specially equipped to process such studies. 
 
All cardiovascular nuclear tests and stress tests must be referred by a physician or a qualified non-physician 
provider. 
 
All stress tests must be performed under the direct supervision of a physician. The nuclear test components 
must be performed under the general supervision of a physician. 
 
Myocardial perfusion studies performed based on the presence of risk factors in the absence of cardiac 
symptoms, cardiac abnormalities on physical examination, or abnormalities on cardiac testing (e.g., 
electrocardiographic tests, echocardiography, etc) will be considered screening and denied as not covered by 
Medicare. 
 
Tests that are anticipated to provide information duplicative of another test already performed will be denied as 
not medically necessary. 
 
Tests performed when the results would not be anticipated to influence medical management decisions will be 
denied as not medically necessary. 
 
Myocardial perfusion studies performed subsequent to a diagnostic myocardial PET scan will denied as not 
medically necessary. 
 
Infarct avid scintigraphy will be denied if the diagnosis of myocardial infarction has already been confirmed by 
enzymes and/or EKG. 
 
Tests performed unrelated to changes in a patient's signs or symptoms, or for immediate pre-operative 
evaluation will be denied as medically unnecessary. 
 
Tests performed for risk assessment prior to high risk non-cardiac surgery in asymptomatic patients within one 
year following normal catheterization or non-invasive test will be considered medically unnecessary and 
denied. 
 
Tests performed for preoperative evaluation in patients undergoing low-risk surgery will be denied. 
You can find this rule at the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33560: Cardiovascular Nuclear 
Medicine. 
 
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.