**

B.   Nationally Covered MRI and MRA Indications

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1\.   MRI

**

Although several uses of MRI are still considered investigational and some
uses are clearly contraindicated (see subsection C), MRI is considered
medically efficacious for a number of uses. Use the following descriptions as
general guidelines or examples of what may be considered covered rather than
as a restrictive list of specific covered indications. Coverage is limited to
MRI units that have received FDA premarket approval, and such units must be
operated within the parameters specified by the approval. In addition, the
services must be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of
the specific patient involved.

  1. MRI is useful in examining the head, central nervous system, and spine. Multiple sclerosis can be diagnosed with MRI and the contents of the posterior fossa are visible. The inherent tissue contrast resolution of MRI makes it an appropriate standard diagnostic modality for general neuroradiology.
  2. MRI can assist in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal and retroperitoneal masses, including abnormalities of the large vessels such as aneurysms and dissection. When a clinical need exists to visualize the parenchyma of solid organs to detect anatomic disruption or neoplasia, this can be accomplished in the liver, urogenital system, adrenals, and pelvic organs without the use of radiological contrast materials. When MRI is considered reasonable and necessary, the use of paramagnetic contrast materials may be covered as part of the study. MRI may also be used to detect and stage pelvic and retroperitoneal neoplasms and to evaluate disorders of cancellous bone and soft tissues. It may also be used in the detection of pericardial thickening. Primary and secondary bone neoplasm and aseptic necrosis can be detected at an early stage and monitored with MRI. Patients with metallic prostheses, especially of the hip, can be imaged in order to detect the early stages of infection of the bone to which the prosthesis is attached.
  3. MRI may also be covered to diagnose disc disease without regard to whether radiological imaging has been tried first to diagnose the problem.
  4. MRI with gating devices and surface coils, and gating devices that eliminate distorted images caused by cardiac and respiratory movement cycles are now considered state of the art techniques and may be covered. Surface and other specialty coils may also be covered, as they are used routinely for high resolution imaging where small limited regions of the body are studied. They produce high signal-to-noise ratios resulting in images of enhanced anatomic detail.

**

2\.   MRA (MRI for Blood Flow)

**

Currently covered indications include using MRA for specific conditions to
evaluate flow in internal carotid vessels of the head and neck, peripheral
arteries of lower extremities, abdomen and pelvis, and the chest. Coverage is
limited to MRA units that have received FDA premarket approval, and such units
must be operated within the parameters specified by the approval. In addition,
the services must be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment
of the specific patient involved.

  1. Head and Neck 

Studies have proven that MRA is effective for evaluating flow in internal
carotid vessels of the head and neck. However, not all potential applications
of MRA have been shown to be reasonable and necessary. All of the following
criteria must apply in order for Medicare to provide coverage for MRA of the
head and neck:

    * MRA is used to evaluate the carotid arteries, the circle of Willis, the anterior, middle or posterior cerebral arteries, the vertebral or basilar arteries or the venous sinuses;
  

    * MRA is performed on patients with conditions of the head and neck for which surgery is anticipated and may be found to be appropriate based on the MRA. These conditions include, but are not limited to, tumor, aneurysms, vascular malformations, vascular occlusion or thrombosis. Within this broad category of disorders, medical necessity is the underlying determinant of the need for an MRA in specific diseases. The medical records should clearly justify and demonstrate the existence of medical necessity; and
  

    * MRA and CA are not expected to be performed on the same patient for diagnostic purposes prior to the application of anticipated therapy. Only one of these tests will be covered routinely unless the physician can demonstrate the medical need to perform both tests.
  

  2. Peripheral Arteries of Lower Extremities 

Studies have proven that MRA of peripheral arteries is useful in determining
the presence and extent of peripheral vascular disease in lower extremities.
This procedure is non-invasive and has been shown to find occult vessels in
some patients for which those vessels were not apparent when CA was performed.
Medicare will cover either MRA or CA to evaluate peripheral arteries of the
lower extremities. However, both MRA and CA may be useful in some cases, such
as:

    * A patient has had CA and this test was unable to identify a viable run-off vessel for bypass. When exploratory surgery is not believed to be a reasonable medical course of action for this patient, MRA may be performed to identify the viable runoff vessel; or
  

    * A patient has had MRA, but the results are inconclusive.
  

  3. Abdomen and Pelvis   
  

    1. Pre-operative Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair 

MRA is covered for pre-operative evaluation of patients undergoing elective
AAA repair if the scientific evidence reveals MRA is considered comparable to
CA in determining the extent of AAA, as well as in evaluating aortoiliac
occlusion disease and renal artery pathology that may be necessary in the
surgical planning of AAA repair. These studies also reveal that MRA could
provide a net benefit to the patient. If preoperative CA is avoided, then
patients are not exposed to the risks associated with invasive procedures,
contrast media, end-organ damage, or arterial injury.

    2. Imaging the Renal Arteries and the Aortoiliac Arteries in the Absence of AAA or Aortic Dissection 

MRA coverage is expanded to include imaging the renal arteries and the
aortoiliac arteries in the absence of AAA or aortic dissection. MRA should be
obtained in those circumstances in which using MRA is expected to avoid
obtaining CA, when physician history, physical examination, and standard
assessment tools provide insufficient information for patient management, and
obtaining an MRA has a high probability of positively affecting patient
management. However, CA may be ordered after obtaining the results of an MRA
in those rare instances where medical necessity is demonstrated.

  4. Chest  
  

    1. Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism   

Current scientific data has shown that diagnostic pulmonary MRAs are improving
due to recent developments such as faster imaging capabilities and gadolinium-
enhancement. However, these advances in MRA are not significant enough to
warrant replacement of pulmonary angiography in the diagnosis of pulmonary
embolism for patients who have no contraindication to receiving intravenous
iodinated contrast material. Patients who are allergic to iodinated contrast
material face a high risk of developing complications if they undergo
pulmonary angiography or computed tomography angiography. Therefore, Medicare
will cover MRA of the chest for diagnosing a suspected pulmonary embolism when
it is contraindicated for the patient to receive intravascular iodinated
contrast material.

    2. Evaluation of Thoracic Aortic Dissection and Aneurysm 

Studies have shown that MRA of the chest has a high level of diagnostic
accuracy for pre-operative and post-operative evaluation of aortic dissection
of aneurysm. Depending on the clinical presentation, MRA may be used as an
alternative to other non-invasive imaging technologies, such as
transesophageal echocardiography and CT. Generally, Medicare will provide
coverage only for MRA or for CA when used as a diagnostic test. However, if
both MRA and CA of the chest are used, the physician must demonstrate the
medical need for performing these tests.

While the intent of this policy is to provide reimbursement for either MRA or
CA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is also allowing
flexibility for physicians to make appropriate decisions concerning the use of
these tests based on the needs of individual patients. CMS anticipates,
however, low utilization of the combined use of MRA and CA. As a result, CMS
encourages the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to monitor the use
of these tests and, where indicated, require evidence of the need to perform
both MRA and CA.

**

3\.   MRI for Patients with an Implanted Pacemaker, Implantable Cardioverter
Defibrillator (ICD), Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker (CRT-PP, or
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators(CRT-D)

**

  1. An MRI is covered when used according to the FDA labeling in an MRI environment for patients with an implanted pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P), or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).
  

  2. Any MRI for patients with an implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT-P, or CRT-D that does not have FDA labeling specific to use in an MRI environment is only covered under the following conditions:  
  

    1. MRI field strength is 1.5 Tesla using Normal Operating Mode;
    2. The implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT-P, or CRT-D system has no fractured, epicardial, or abandoned leads;
    3. The facility has implemented a checklist which includes the following: 
      * patient assessment is performed to identify the presence of an implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT-P, or CRT-D;
      * before the scan benefits and harms of the MRI scan are communicated with the patient or the patients delegated decision-maker;
      * prior to the MRI scan, the implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT-P, or CRT-D is interrogated and programmed into the appropriate MRI scanning mode;
      * a qualified physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with expertise with implanted pacemakers, ICDs, CRT-Ps, or CRT-Ds must directly supervise the MRI scan as defined in 42 CFR  410.28 and 410.32;
      * patients are observed throughout the MRI scan via visual and voice contact and monitored with equipment to assess vital signs and cardiac rhythm;
      * an advanced cardiac life support provider must be present for the duration of the MRI scan;
      * a discharge plan that includes before being discharged from the hospital/facility, the patient is evaluated and the implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT-P, or CRT-D is reinterrogated immediately after the MRI scan to detect and correct any abnormalities that might have developed.

**

C.   Contraindications and Nationally Non-Covered Indications

** **

1\.   Contraindications

**

The MRI is not covered when the following patient-specific contraindications
are present

  * MRI during a viable pregnancy.
  

  * The danger inherent in bringing ferromagnetic materials within range of MRI units generally constrains the use of MRI on acutely ill patients requiring life support systems and monitoring devices that employ ferromagnetic materials.
  

  * The long imaging time and the enclosed position of the patient may result in claustrophobia, making patients who have a history of claustrophobia unsuitable candidates for MRI procedures.

**

2\.   Nationally Non-Covered Indications

**

CMS has determined that MRI of cortical bone and calcifications, and
procedures involving spatial resolution of bone and calcifications, are not
considered reasonable and necessary indications within the meaning of section
1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act, and are therefore non-covered.

MRI is not covered for patients with metallic clips on vascular aneurysms.

**D.   Other**

All other uses of MRI or MRA for which CMS has not specifically indicated
coverage or non-coverage continue to be eligible for coverage through
individual local MAC discretion.

(This NCD last reviewed April 2018.)