Tennessee

FISCAL INTERMEDIARIES/MAC - PART A


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


CAHABA GOVERNMENT BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS, LLC [MAC B]
www.cahabagba.com

“The accuracy of noninvasive vascular diagnostic studies depends on the knowledge, skill, and experience of the technologist and the physician performing the interpretation of the study. Consequently, technologists and physicians must be able to show documentation of training and experience as well as maintain these credentials at each office site. All noninvasive vascular diagnostic studies must be: (1) performed by a qualified physician, (2) performed by or under the supervision of persons that have demonstrated minimum entry level competency as evidenced by being credentialed in vascular technology, or (3) performed in facilities with laboratories accredited in vascular technology. Examples of appropriate personnel certification include the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential and the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) credential in vascular technology. Appropriate laboratory accreditation includes the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) and/or the American College of Radiology (ACR). This accreditation will be required as of January 1, 2004.”

CIGNA GOVERNMENT SERVICES [CARRIER]
www.cignamedicare.com

"All non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies must either be: (1) Performed by a qualified physician, or (2) performed by or under the supervision of persons that have demonstrated minimum entry level competency as evidenced by being credentialed in vascular technology, or (3) performed in facilities with laboratories accredited in vascular technology. Examples of appropriate personnel certification include the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential and the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) credential in vascular technology. Appropriate laboratory accreditation includes the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) and/or the American College of Radiology (ACR). This accreditation will be required as of January 1, 2002."

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