LCD/NCD Portal

NCD160.8  ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC MONITORING DURING SURGICAL

PROCEDURES INVOLVING THE CEREBRAL VASCULATURE

 

 

Effective Date of this Version

• 6/19/2006

 

 

Benefit Category

 

• Diagnostic Tests (other).

• Physicians' Services.

• Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

CIM 35-57

• Electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring is a safe and reliable technique for the assessment of gross cerebral blood flow during general anesthesia and is covered under Medicare.

o Very characteristic changes in the EEG occur when cerebral perfusion is inadequate for cerebral function. EEG monitoring as an indirect measure of cerebral perfusion requires the expertise of an electroencephalographer, a neurologist trained in EEG, or an advanced EEG technician for its proper interpretation.

• The EEG monitoring may be covered routinely in carotid endarterectomies and in other neurological procedures where cerebral perfusion could be reduced.

o Such other procedures might include aneurysm surgery where hypotensive anesthesia is used or other cerebral vascular procedures where cerebral blood flow may be interrupted.

 

 

Coverage Transmittal Link

 

• http://www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R48NCD.pdf

 

Medicare NCD Link