Medicare changes coverage for Esophageal Doppler monitoring

CMS was asked to reconsider our current national coverage determination (NCD) on ultrasound diagnostic procedures. CMS has determined that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that esophageal Doppler monitoring of cardiac output for ventilated patients in the ICU and operative patients with a need for intra-operative fluid optimization is reasonable and necessary under Section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act, and therefore, we are removing the past national non-coverage of cardiac output Doppler monitoring.

CMS will amend the NCD Ultrasound Diagnostic Procedures at section 220.5 of the NCD manual by adding “Monitoring of cardiac output (Esophageal Doppler) for ventilated patients in the ICU and operative patients with a need for intra-operative fluid optimization” to Category I, and deleting “Monitoring of cardiac output (Doppler)” from Category II.
Private insurers often follow Medicare's lead when deciding which procedures and devices to cover.