Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Tests
This Program Memorandum (PM) sets forth revised levels of physician supervision required for diagnostic tests payable under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Section 410.32(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted in the Medicare physician fee schedule final rule of October 31, 1997, requires that diagnostic tests covered under §1861(s)(3) of the Social Security Act and payable under the physician fee schedule, with certain exceptions listed in the regulation, have to be performed under the supervision of an individual meeting the definition of a “physician”(§1861(r)of the Social Security Act) to be considered reasonable and necessary and, therefore, covered under Medicare.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: April 19, 2001
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