Note: Providers should seek information related to National Coverage
Determinations (NCD) and other Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
instructions in CMS Manuals. This LCD only pertains to the contractor's
discretionary coverage related to this service.  
  
Magnesium is a mineral required by the body for the use of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) as a source of energy. It is also necessary for
neuromuscular irritability and blood clotting. Magnesium deficiency produces
neuromuscular disorders. It may cause weakness, tremors, tetany, and
convulsions. Hypomagnesemia is associated with hypocalcemia, hypokalemia,
long-term hyperalimentation, intravenous therapy, diabetes mellitus
(especially during treatment of ketoacidosis); alcoholism and other types of
malnutrition; malabsorption; hyperparathyroidism; dialysis; pregnancy; and
hyperaldosteronism. The following are other conditions that may cause
magnesium deficiencies

  * Renal loss of magnesium occurs with cis-platinum therapy.
  * Hypomagnesemia may also be induced by amphotericin or anti-EGFR (some monoclonal antibodies) toxicity.
  * Magnesium deficiency is described with cardiac arrhythmias. There is evidence that magnesium may cause arrhythmias.

  
**Indications:**  
  
Utilization of certain cardiac drugs which cause adverse effects in the
presence of low magnesium (i.e., quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide
phosphate or Norpace). Patients taking these drugs should have their magnesium
checked approximately once every six months.  
  

  * Long term parenteral nutrition. Patients on long term parenteral nutrition that are otherwise asymptomatic should have their serum magnesium checked monthly.
  * Malabsorption syndrome. The frequency should depend on the severity of the syndrome, but once the patient's level is stabilized, a monthly check should be adequate.
  * Renal loss secondary to diuretic use.
  * Chronic alcoholism, diabetic acidosis, and renal tubular acidosis. These patients should be followed on an as needed basis according to their symptomatology. Without symptoms, they should be checked no more than annually.
  * Chronic diarrhea, otherwise unexplained and persistent.
  * Prolonged nasogastric suction greater than five days. These patients should have a magnesium check every two to three weeks.
  * Cisplatin treatment.
  * Amphotericin treatment
  * EGFR monoclonal antibodies
  * Patients receiving IV magnesium therapy for a low serum level. Serum level should be monitored appropriately.
  * Patients with hypocalcemia. If the hypocalcemia persists, the level should probably be checked on a six-month basis as long as the patient does not have symptoms of arrhythmias that would warrant closer follow up.
  * Lethargy and confusion that are not otherwise explained. Once a patient has been diagnosed with mental health processes such as Alzheimer or psychotic depression, etc., there is no indication to follow their magnesium level on a regular basis.
  * Patients receiving oral magnesium in the face of impaired renal function should have their magnesium level checked on a monthly basis.

Other clinical situations:

  * Pre-eclampsia
  * Unexplained muscular paralysis
  * Neuromuscular irritability
  * Blood clotting abnormalities
  * Evidence (mixed) that magnesium levels are low and increased magnesium may benefit patients with sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia and hypersplenism- more recent articles dispute this.
  * Long Q-T syndrome, torsades de pointes and ventricular arrhythmias.

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