Portable Hand-Held X-Ray Instrument

Medicare covers the use of portable hand-held X-ray instruments as imaging devices when used by a physician and billed as part of the physician's professional service (no separate charge allowed). Coverage is described for immediate diagnosis in remote or emergency settings and as an alternative to fluoroscopy for foreign body localization, selected surgical procedures, and evaluation of premature or low-birth-weight infants.

"Portable hand-held X-ray instruments are covered when used as an imaging device by a physician and billed as part of the physician's professional service."

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