LCD/NCD Portal

NCD190.8 LYMPHOCYTE MITOGEN RESPONSE ASSAYS

 

 

Effective Date of this Version

• 5/16/1983

 

 

Benefit Category

 

• Diagnostic Laboratory Tests.

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

 

 

Item/Service Description

 

• The lymphocyte mitogen response assay measures the immune response of patient peripheral blood lymphocytes.

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

• It is a covered test under Medicare when it is medically necessary to assess lymphocytic function in diagnosed immunodeficiency diseases and to monitor immunotherapy.

• It is not covered when it is used to monitor the treatment of cancer, because its use for that purpose is experimental.

 

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