Medicare EKG code

Is it true that Medicare will only pay for one EKG a lifetime without a medical reason? The other question is, is there another code other than the welcome to medicare code of G0403?

re: Medicare EKG code

IPPE: Includes a brief written plan, such as a checklist, to be given to the beneficiary for obtaining a screening electrocardiogram (EKG), as appropriate, and the appropriate screenings and other preventive services that are covered as separate Medicare Part B benefits.
The answer is Yes to a screening EKG. And "no" to last question, as far as Medicare is concerned.

re: Medicare EKG code

How would I find out what Medicare will pay for and what they won't? So, when a patient comes in for chest pain for instance, do you assign the chest pain diagnosis or would you assign a adnormal EKG (assuming it came out abnormal)?

re: Medicare EKG code

You assign the acute condition "chest pain" followed by abnormal EKG

re: Medicare EKG code

Medicare is for the care of sickness and injury, and if there is no medical necessity for a service (no reason for an EKG) then it's not covered.

THere is one screening EKG covered as part of the Welcome to Medicare visit (not annual wellness visits though).

If the patient has a covered indication, i.e. reason, then it's covered.

Signature doc knows this off the top of his head, but I don't think that screening EKGs in the general population is indicated/supported by evidenced based medicine. Although now I'm venturing into territory that is above my pay grade.