**Abstract:**  
  
Implanted cardioverter-defibrillators require periodic evaluation of function
and reprogramming based upon the patient's medical condition. Interrogation
may be provided during a face-to-face encounter or remotely. The interrogation
and evaluation may be provided as routine follow-up in an asymptomatic patient
without device discharge, or for symptoms, with device discharge.
Reprogramming should be reflected by a need for change in the patient's
medical condition.  
  
Remote interrogation is a 90-day service, inclusive of all transmissions
during that period which are then billed as a single service. A provider may
not bill a remote service and a face-to-face service on the same day.  
  
Medicare will cover surveillance of ICDs as a face-to-face or remote service
to monitor behavior of the device, to investigate symptoms such as post-event
shock, and syncope, ICD malfunction or device failure. Surveillance of ICDs is
also indicated to program device evaluation and adjustment and for patients
prior to surgery or other procedures to modify or disable the device during
the procedure. Remote interrogation is a single 90-day service, while in-
person interrogation can be reported for each day it is performed.  
  
Peri-procedural device evaluation and programming before and/or after a
procedure or test may be reported separately.  
  
 **Indications and Limitations:**  
  
Surveillance of an ICD is indicated to monitor the behavior of the device and
to assess the patient with intervening symptoms. The frequency and need for
both face-to-face and remote interrogation should be coordinated so that there
is no unnecessary duplication of the interrogation services.  
  
The symptoms requiring unscheduled investigation by both remote and face-to-
face modalities should be discrete symptoms such as post-shock events,
syncope/near-syncope and palpitations. Remote and face-to-face interrogations
may be performed for suspected malfunction or device failure.  
  
In-person evaluation/interrogation services (93287, 93289, and 93292) may be
reported each time they are provided (reimbursement is dependent upon
documentation of medical necessity).  
  
Remote interrogation services 93295 and 93296 are 90-day services, and may
only be reported once during that period regardless of the number of
interrogations performed. The 90-day period begins with the initiation of
remote monitoring or the 91st day of the implantable defibrillator.  
  
In-person interrogation occurring during the same 90-day period as remote
interrogation is included in the remote interrogation service. If there is no
interrogation service provided within a 90-day period then the service should
not be billed for that period. Programming services may be reported
separately.  
  
In-person interrogation performed on the same day as the programming of the
device is included in the programming service.  
  
Interrogation and reprogramming of defibrillators prior to and after a
surgical procedure or test (93287) is covered as a separate procedure when it
is necessary to modify how the device would function during the procedure/test
(e.g., to avoid interference by an electrical cautery during the procedure, to
disable during cardiac surgery, etc).  
  
When performing program device evaluation with iterative adjustment of the
device to test function and select optimal programmed parameters, the final
parameters may or may not change from previous parameters. Documentation of
each parameter tested and the result should be maintained in the record.  
  
For physician billing, each interrogation, with/without reprogramming must be
provided under personal supervision of the physician in a hospital or other
facility setting and at least direct supervision in the office or private
clinic setting. The physician must personally review and analyze the data, and
generate a report.  
  
For hospital billing, each interrogation, with/without reprogramming must be
provided under direct supervision of a qualified physician in the hospital. A
qualified physician must personally review and analyze the data, and generate
a report.  
  
When the technical portion of interrogation services are provided by a service
center (IDTF, hospital based laboratory, etc), or physician other than the one
analyzing and interpreting the results (93296), the physician performing the
review, analysis and report must generate his/her own interpretation and
report (with signature) and not just countersign the technical review and
distribution of results.  
  
These evaluation/interrogation services should not be billed when implanting
or replacing an ICD.  
  
The service must be prescribed by a physician or a qualified non-physician
practitioner.  
  
An evaluation and management (E&M) service provided on the same day as in-
person interrogation/programming must be a significant and separately
identifiable face-to-face service. No part of the ICD surveillance (face-to-
face or Internet based) may be reported as an E&M service. A brief history to
ascertain whether the device has discharged or patient has had symptoms
relevant to the need for the device (and therefore function) is considered
part of the surveillance service. EKG rhythm strips (93040-93042) are included
in these evaluation/interrogation services and should not be billed
separately.  
  
Coverage is limited to system(s) approved by the FDA for patients with a
specific implanted ICD model.  
  
Only physicians who have expertise and/or training in reprogramming of ICDs
may bill the interrogation with or without reprogramming services.  
  
**Other Comments:**  
  
For claims submitted to the Part A MAC: This coverage determination also
applies within states outside the primary geographic jurisdiction with
facilities that have nominated CGS Administrators to process their claims.  
  
Bill type codes only apply to providers who bill these services to the Part A
MAC. Bill type codes do not apply to physicians, other professionals and
suppliers who bill these services to the carrier or Part B MAC.  
  
Limitation of liability and refund requirements apply when denials are likely,
whether based on medical necessity or other coverage reasons. The
provider/supplier must notify the beneficiary in writing, prior to rendering
the service, if the provider/supplier is aware that the test, item or
procedure may not be covered by Medicare. The limitation of liability and
refund requirements do not apply when the test, item or procedure is
statutorily excluded, has no Medicare benefit category or is rendered for
screening purposes.  
  
For dates of service prior to April 1, 2010, FQHC services should be reported
with bill type 73X. For dates of service on or after April 1, 2010, bill type
77X should be used to report FQHC services.  
  
For outpatient settings other than CORFs, references to "physicians"
throughout this policy include non-physicians, such as nurse practitioners,
clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants. Such non-physician
practitioners, with certain exceptions, may certify, order and establish the
plan of care as authorized by State law. (See Sections 1861[s][2] and
1862[a][14] of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; 42 CFR, Sections
410.74, 410.75, 410.76 and 419.22; 58 FR 18543, April 7, 2000.)