|
Search the FAQs - Search our current and archived FAQs.
CPT codes, descriptors and other data only are copyright 1999
American Medical Association (or such other date of publication of CPT). All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.
Mammogram Screening
1. Does the patient still have to wait 365 days before an annual mammography screening? What happens if they come early? Is there a buffer period? (Last Reviewed: July 16, 2008)
1. Does the patient still have to wait 365 days before an annual mammography screening? What happens if they come early? Is there a buffer period? (Last Reviewed: July 16, 2008)
Medicare guidelines for screening mammography services stipulate that payment may only be made once every 12 months. Medicare guidelines advise, "Count months between screening mammographies beginning the month after the date of the examination. For example, if Mrs. Smith received a screening mammography examination in January 2005, begin counting the next month (February 2005) until 11 months have elapsed. Payment can be made for another screening mammography in January 2006." Therefore, only one screening mammography will be allowed every 365 days. When more than one screening mammography is billed within a 365 day period, the second one will be denied. There is no "buffer" period.
Search the FAQs - This search function will search only the FAQs portion of our Web site.
Please Note: This search engine utilizes Javascript. You must have Javascript enabled in order to use this search engine. If you do not have Javascript enabled, please consider using the Bulletin and Local Medical Review Policy searches found on the "Search/Site Map" section of our Web site.
Additional FAQs can be found by visiting the FAQs section of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site. CMS FAQs cover a wide range of Medicare-related topics, and are searchable by category and topic. |
 |
Mammogram Screening