Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Studies

Medicare covers non-invasive cerebrovascular vascular studies when the results will be used to guide patient management and when medical necessity is documented. Routine surveillance intervals include annual follow-up for carotid stenosis (>50% symptomatic or >60% asymptomatic) and post-carotid endarterectomy duplex at 6 weeks, 6 months, then annually, while only one preoperative Doppler for bypass is ordinarily allowed unless additional scans are justified in the record; preventive/screening studies are not covered unless statute permits.

"Non-invasive cerebrovascular/vascular studies are covered when the study results will be used to directly inform or change the clinical management of the patient."

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