NCD190.22

 

THYROID TESTING

 

Effective Date of this Version

1/1/2003

 

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

• Thyroid function studies are used to delineate the presence or absence of hormonal abnormalities of the thyroid and pituitary glands.

o These abnormalities may be either primary or secondary and often but not always accompany clinically defined signs and symptoms indicative of thyroid dysfunction.

• Laboratory evaluation of thyroid function has become more scientifically defined.

o Tests can be done with increased specificity, thereby reducing the number of tests needed to diagnose and follow treatment of most thyroid disease.

o Measurements of serum sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, complemented by determination of thyroid hormone levels [free thyroxine (fT-4) or total thyroxine (T4) with Triiodothyronine (T3) uptake] are used for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with thyroid disorders.

o Additional tests may be necessary to evaluate certain complex diagnostic problems or on hospitalized patients, where many circumstances can skew tests results.

o When a test for total thyroxine (total T4 or T4 radioimmunoassay) or T3 uptake is performed, calculation of the free thyroxine index (FTI) is useful to correct for abnormal results for either total T4 or T3 uptake due to protein binding effects.

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

Indications

• Thyroid function tests are used to define hyper function, euthyroidism, or hypofunction of thyroid disease. Thyroid testing may be reasonable and necessary to:

o Distinguish between primary and secondary hypothyroidism.

o Confirm or rule out primary hypothyroidism.

o Monitor thyroid hormone levels (for example, patients with goiter, thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer).

o Monitor drug therapy in patients with primary hypothyroidism.

o Confirm or rule out primary hyperthyroidism.

o Monitor therapy in patients with hyperthyroidism.

• Thyroid function testing may be medically necessary in patients with disease or neoplasm of the thyroid and other endocrine glands.

o Thyroid function testing may also be medically necessary in patients with metabolic disorders;

 Malnutrition.

 Hyperlipidemia.

 Certain types of anemia.

 Psychosis and non-psychotic personality disorders.

 Unexplained depression.

 Ophthalmologic disorders.

 Various cardiac arrhythmias.

 Disorders of menstruation.

 Skin conditions.

 Myalgias.

 and a wide array of signs and symptoms, including

 Alterations in consciousness.

 Malaise.

 Hypothermia.

 Symptoms of the nervous and musculoskeletal system.

 Skin and integumentary system.

 Nutrition and metabolism.

 Cardiovascular.

 Gastrointestinal system.

• It may be medically necessary to do follow-up thyroid testing in patients with a personal history of malignant neoplasm of the endocrine system and in patients on long-term thyroid drug therapy.

 

Limitations

• Testing may be covered up to two times a year in clinically stable patients.

o More frequent testing may be reasonable and necessary for patients whose thyroid therapy has been altered or in whom symptoms or signs of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism are noted.

• Note: Scroll down for links to the quarterly Covered Code Lists (including narrative).

 

Cross Reference

• Also see the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 120, Clinical Laboratory Services Based on Negotiated Rulemaking.

 

Coverage Transmittal Link

• http://www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/r17ncd.pdf

 

Other

Covered Code Lists (including narrative)

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Coding Analyses for Labs (CALs)

• This NCD has been or is currently being reviewed under the National Coverage Determination process.

• The following are existing associations with CALs, from the Coding Analyses for Labs database.

• Original consideration for Thyroid Testing (Addition of ICD-9-CM 783.0, Anorexia, as a covered indication) (CAG-00337N)

• Original consideration for Thyroid Testing (Inclusion of ICD-9-CM Code 733.02 for Idiopathic Osteoporosis) (CAG-00254N)

 

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