Ohio
FISCAL INTERMEDIARIES/MAC - PART A
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. [FI]
www.ngsmedicare.com
The accuracy of non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies depends on the knowledge, skill, and experience of the technologist and interpreter. Consequently, the physician performing and/or interpreting the study must be capable of demonstrating documented training and experience and maintain any applicable documentation. A vascular diagnostic study may be personally performed by a physician or a technologist.
The GAO Report to Congressional Committees entitled Medicare Ultrasound Procedures. Consideration of Payment Reforms and Technician Qualifications Requirements states that “Findings from several peer-reviewed studies, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and ultrasound-related professional organizations support requiring that sonographers either have credentials or operate in facilities that are accredited, where specific quality standards apply. In some localities and practice settings, CMS or its contractors have required that sonographers either be credentialed or work in an accredited facility.” (GAO-07-734)
The following requirements will be in effect for Part B providers in New York state (except Queens county) November 15, 2008. For other areas under National Government Services jurisdiction the requirements will be effective for all providers November 15, 2010:
- All non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies must be performed under at least one of the following settings: (1) performed by a physician who is competent in diagnostic vascular studies or under the general supervision of physicians who have demonstrated minimum entry level competency by being credentialed in vascular technology, or (2) performed by a technician who is certified in vascular technology, or (3) performed in facilities with laboratories accredited in vascular technology.
- Examples of appropriate personnel certification include, but are not limited to the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI), Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), the Registered Cardiovascular Technologist (RCVT), Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS), and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentials in vascular technology. Appropriate laboratory accreditation includes the American College of Radiology (ACR) Vascular Ultrasound Program, and the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL).
WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS SERVICE INSURANCE CORPORATION [FI]
www.wpsmedicare.com
A. Training and Certification:
1. The accuracy of non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies depends on the knowledge, skill, and experience of the technologist and interpreter. Consequently, the physician performing and/or interpreting the study must be capable of demonstrating documented training and experience and maintain any applicable documentation. A vascular diagnostic study may be personally performed by a physician or a technologist.
The GAO Report to Congressional Committees entitled Medicare Ultrasound Procedures.
Consideration of Payment Reforms and Technician Qualifications Requirements states that “Findings from several peer-reviewed studies, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission,
and ultrasound-related professional organizations support requiring that sonographers either
have credentials or operate in facilities that are accredited, where specific quality standards
apply. In some localities and practice settings, CMS or its contractors have required that
sonographers either be credentialed or work in an accredited facility.” (GAO-07-734)
2. All non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies must be performed under at least one of the
following settings:
a. performed by a physician who is competent in diagnostic vascular
studies or under the general supervision of physicians who have demonstrated minimum
entry level competency by being credentialed in vascular technology, or
b. performed by a technician who is certified in vascular technology, or
c. performed in facilities with laboratories accredited in vascular technology.
3. One or more technologists in each vascular laboratory must be certified by a credentialing board recognized by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) or the National Council for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the International Standards Organization (ISO) 17024).
4. Laboratories may be certified by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. Certification of the laboratory itself supersedes the requirement for certification of individual technologists."
These requirements will be necessary to payment of services provided beginning 05/01/2010.
MEDICARE CARRIERS/MAC - PART B
The accuracy of noninvasive vascular diagnostic studies depends on the knowledge, skill, and experience of the technologist performing the study, as well as the interpreting physician. All noninvasive vascular diagnostic studies must be either:
1. performed by, or under the direct supervision of, persons who have demonstrated minimum entry level competency by being credentialed in vascular technology, or
2. performed in facilities with laboratories accredited in vascular technology.
Examples of appropriate technologist credentials/certification include:
1. American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARMDS)
2. Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
3. American Registry of Radiologic Technicians Vascular Sonography (ARRT, VS)
Additionally, transcutaneous oxygen measurement may be performed by individuals possessing the following credentials obtained from the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Technology (NBDHMT): Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT), or Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN).
Appropriate laboratory accreditation includes:
1. Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) or,
2. American College of Radiology
close window |