General Question for the Week of March 26, 2018

Question:

If a procedure or service has been assigned a CPT® code, does that mean Medicare will cover it?

Answer:

The fact that a drug, device, procedure or service is assigned a HCPCS code and a payment rate under the outpatient prospective payment system does not imply coverage by the Medicare program. It indicates only how the product, procedure, or service may be paid if covered by the program. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) determine whether a drug, device, procedure, or other service meets all program requirements for coverage. For example, MACs determine that it is reasonable and necessary to treat the beneficiary’s condition and whether it is excluded from payment.


CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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