(Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual)

Indications   1. To evaluate known or suspected alimentary tract conditions that might cause bleeding into the intestinal tract.   2. To evaluate unexpected anemia.   3. To evaluate abnormal signs, symptoms, or complaints that might be associated with loss of blood.  4. To evaluate patients complaints of black or red -tinged stools.  Limitations   1. The FOBT is reported once for the testing of up to three separate specimens (comprising either one or two tests per specimen).   2. In patients who are  taking non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs and have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding but no other sign, symptoms, or complaints associated with gastrointestinal blood loss, testing for occult blood may generally be appropriate no more than once ev ery 3 months.  When testing is done for the purpose of screening for colorectal cancer in the absence of signs, symptoms, conditions, or complaints associated with gastrointestinal blood loss, report he HCPCS code for colorectal cancer screening; fecal -occult blood test, 1- 3 simultaneous determinations) should be used.   Transmittals Issued for this Chapter   Rev #  Issue Date  Subject  Impl Date  CR#  R12112NCD  06/29/2023  Technical Revisions Only to the National Coverage Determination (NCD) Manual, Publication (Pub) 100 -03 07/31/2023  13220  R11892NCD  03/09/2023  Technical Revisions Only to the National Coverage Determination (NCD) Manual  04/10/2023  13105  R11426NCD  05/20/2022  An Omnibus CR Covering: (1) Removal of Two National Coverage Determination (NCDs), (2) Updates to the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Policy, and (3) Updates to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR), Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR), and Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitat ion (ICR) Conditions of Coverage  07/05/2022  12613  R11272NCD  02/18/2022  An Omnibus CR Covering: (1) Removal of Two National Coverage Determination (NCDs), (2 ) Updates to the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Policy, and (3) Updates to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR), Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR), and Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) Conditions of Coverage- Rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 11426  07/05 /2022  12613  R181NCD  03/27/2015  Removal of Multiple National Coverage Determinations Using Expedited Process  04/06/2015  9095  R180NCD  03/06/2015  Removal of Multiple National Coverage Determinations Using Expedited Process  Rescinded and replaced  by Transmittal 181 04/06/2015  9095  R173NCD  09/04/2014  Pub 100 -03, Chapter 1, Language -only Update Upon Implementation of ICD -10 8506  R159NCD  02/05/2014  Pub 100 -03, Chapter 1, Language -only Update  Rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 173  10/01/2014  8506  R131NCD  02/23/2011  Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection  07/06/2010  6786  R118NCD  03/23/2010  Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection  Rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 131 07/06/2010  6786 R113NCD  02/19/2010  Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection - Rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 118 07/06/2010  6786  R90NCD  07/25/2008  Prothrombin Time (PT/INR) Monitoring for Home Anticoagulation Management  08/25/2008  6138  R55NCD  05/05/2006  Changes Conforming to CR 3648 Instructions for Therapy Services  10/02/2006  4014  R48NCD  03/17/2006  Technical Corrections to the NCD Manual  06/19/2006  4278  R47NCD  02/24/2006  Changes to the Covered Indications for Tumor Antigen by Immunoassay CA 125 to Add Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma  01/03/2006  4257  R28NCD  02/11/2005  Update of Laboratory NCDs to Reference New Screening Benefits  03/11/2005  3690  R17NCD  07/02/2004  Manualization of the Negotiated Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory National Coverage Determinations  N/A 2130  R10NCD  04/06/2004  Re-release of NCD Manual  N/A N/A R01NCD  10/01/2003  Initial Release of Manual  N/A N/A Back to top of Chapter