LCD/NCD Portal

NCD190.4 ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

 

 

Effective Date of this Version

 

• This is a longstanding national coverage determination.

• The effective date of this version has not been posted.

 

 

Benefit Category

 

• Diagnostic Tests (other).

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

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

• The electron microscope has been used in the examination of biopsies for years; its efficacy, and therefore its Medicare coverage, is not being questioned.

• However, there are less expensive methods for examining biopsies which are normally adequate.

• The additional expense for the electron microscope is normally warranted only when distinguishing different types of nephritis from renal needle biopsies or when there is an uncertain diagnosis from the pathologist.

• When an uncertain diagnosis from the pathologists results from a less expensive method of examination and an electron microscope examination is therefore necessary, both biopsy examinations are covered.

• Where the additional expense for an electron microscope examination is not warranted, payment is based upon the less costly methods of examining biopsies.

 

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