Apheresis (Therapeutic Pheresis)

Medicare covers therapeutic apheresis (plasmapheresis, plasma exchange, leukapheresis, plasma perfusion) for a specified list of diagnoses, including myasthenia gravis, leukemia, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, hyperglobulinemias, TTP, Goodpasture's, certain anti-GBM glomerulonephritides, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and selected life-threatening or refractory autoimmune/neurologic conditions. Coverage is limited to procedures performed in hospitals or physician-directed clinics with continuous physician presence and supervision, and for Medicare purposes apheresis must be an autologous continuous procedure rather than preoperative blood donation/transfusion.

"Plasma exchange is covered for acquired myasthenia gravis."

Sign up to see full coverage criteria, indications, and limitations.