Cardiac MRIs offer new billing opportunity after NCD change

Why This Topic Matters

The policy change may affect whether certain cardiac MRI services are reimbursable in the short term and how practices should monitor carrier coverage decisions. It also highlights an upcoming CPT transition that could change payment patterns and billing workflows.

Article Sections

1. Coverage change and temporary billing opportunity

   Overview of the CMS transmittal and the resulting shift from blanket non-coverage to carrier-level coverage decisions. The section frames the short-term billing implications and the timing window discussed in the article.

2. Carrier-level variation and payer response

   Discussion of how coverage may differ by region or carrier and the role of local payer review. The section addresses the uncertainty surrounding implementation and possible areas of selective coverage.

3. 2010 CPT transition

   Summary of the upcoming CPT update referenced in the article and its effect on the way these cardiac MRI services are organized for reporting. The section explains why the billing impact is expected to change after the transition.

4. Practical guidance for practices

   General billing guidance and payer-check considerations for practices performing cardiac MRI studies. The section emphasizes the article’s recommended next steps without providing code-selection instructions.