Ultrasound Diagnostic Procedures
Effective for claims with dates of service on and after May 22, 2007, CMS
determines that esophageal Doppler monitoring of cardiac output for ventilated patients in the ICU and
operative patients with a need for intra-operative fluid optimization is reasonable and necessary, and
therefore removes the current national non-coverage of cardiac output Doppler monitoring. CMS amends
the NCD Ultrasound Diagnostic Procedures at section 220.5, of the NCD Manual, by adding monitoring of
cardiac output (Esophageal Doppler) for ventilated patients in the ICU and operative patients with a need for
intra-operative fluid optimization to Category I, and deleting monitoring of cardiac output (Doppler) from
Category II.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: September 12, 2007
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