LCD/NCD Portal

NCD70.4  PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH

 

 

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).

• Physicians' Services.

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

 

 

Item/Service Description

 

• According to established legal principles, an individual is not considered deceased until there has been official pronouncement of death.

• An individual is therefore considered to have expired as of the time he/she is pronounced dead by a person who is legally authorized to make such a pronouncement, usually a physician.

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

• Reasonable and necessary medical services rendered up to and including pronouncement of death by a physician are covered diagnostic or therapeutic services.

 

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