MM5521 5521

User Manual: 5521

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News Flash - PQRI Information Available
A new CMS web page dedicated to providing information on the Physician Quality Reporting
Initiative (PQRI) is now available.
On December 20, 2006, the President signed the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA).
Section 101 under Title I authorizes the establishment of a physician quality reporting system for
eligible professionals by CMS. CMS has titled the statutory program the Physician Quality
Reporting Initiative. For more information, visit http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-InitiativesPatient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/index.html on the CMS website.

MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request (CR) #: 5521

Related CR Release Date: May 11, 2007

Effective Date: January 1, 2007

Related CR Transmittal #: R1236CP,R70BP,R69NCD Implementation Date: July 2, 2007

Bone Mass Measurements (BMMs)
Note: This article was updated on June 15, 2013, to reflect current Web addresses. This article was
previously revised June 6, 2008, to clarify the Medicare Summary Notices on page 3. Essentially, MSN
16.10 will be issued with a denied claim as well as either MSN 36.1 or MSN 36.2, depending on if an ABN
is issued. A link (http://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-networkmln/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/MM5847.pdf) to related MLN Matters article MM5847 was also added.
MM5847 clarifies the claims processing instructions contained in CR 5521. The URL for the brochure for
bone measurements was also changed. All other information remains the same.
Provider Types Affected
Physicians, practitioners and hospitals that bill Medicare contractors (carriers,
fiscal intermediaries (FIs), or Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B
MACs) for BMM services
Provider Action Needed
STOP – Impact to You
Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2007, Medicare will pay for
BMM services for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (CPT code 77080) when this
Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes, regulations, or other
policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to
review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521

procedure is used to monitor osteoporosis drug therapy. In addition, new CPTs
were assigned to BMMs.

CAUTION – What You Need to Know
Medicare edits will deny claims that are not consistent with revised BMM policy
and providers may be liable for noncovered BMMs unless they have issued an
advanced beneficiary notice (ABN) as required. This article explains the changes
as a result of the CY2007 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.

GO – What You Need to Do
See the remainder of this article for important information regarding billing
Medicare for BMMs.
Background
This article and related Change Request (CR) 5521 wants providers to know that
on June 24, 1998, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published
an Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (IFC) in the Federal Register entitled
"Medicare Coverage of and Payment for Bone Mass Measurements." This IFC
implemented section 4106 of the BBA by establishing 42 CFR 410.31, Bone Mass
Measurement: Conditions for Coverage and Frequency Standards. This new
regulation defined BMM and individuals qualified to receive a BMM, established
conditions for coverage under the “reasonable and necessary” provisions of
1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act, and established frequency standards governing when
qualified individuals would be eligible for a BMM.
On December 1, 2006, CMS published the CY 2007 Physician Fee Schedule final
rule, which included changes to 42 CFR 410.31. These changes can be found in
Chapter 15, Section 80.5 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual. and in Chapter
13, Section 140 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual. The revised manual
sections are attached to CR5221. The Web address for viewing CR5221 is
available in the “Additional Information” section at the end of this article.
Key Points
Listed is a summary of the revisions and additions to Chapter 13 of the Medicare
Claims Processing Manual and Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

Page 2 of 7

MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521

CHAPTER 13
• Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2007, the CY 2007
Physician Fee Schedule final rule expanded the number of beneficiaries
qualifying for BMM by reducing the dosage requirement for glucocorticoid
(steroid) therapy from 7.5 mg of prednisone per day to 5.0 mg. It also
changed the definition of BMM by removing coverage for a single-photon
absorptiometry (SPA) as it is not considered reasonable and necessary under
section 1862 (a)(1)(A) of the Act.

•

Effective for dates of services on and after January 1, 2007, the following
changes apply to BMM:

•

New 2007 CPT bone mass codes have been assigned for BMM. The following
codes will replace current codes, however the CPT descriptors for the services
remain the same:
77078 replaces 76070

77081 replaces 76076

77079 replaces 76071

77083 replaces 76078

77080 replaces 76075

•

BMM is not covered when a procedure other than dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry is used to monitor osteoporosis drug therapy. Therefore,
Medicare will not pay for procedure codes 76977, 77078, 77079, 77081,
77083 and G0130 when billed with the following ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes:
733.00

•

733.02

733.03

733.09

733.90

255.0

BMM is covered when dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is used to monitor
osteoporosis drug therapy. Therefore, Medicare will pay procedure code
77080 when billed with the following ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes or any of the
other valid ICD-9-CM diagnoses that are recognized by Medicare contractors
appropriate for bone mass measurements:
733.00

•

733.01

733.01

733.02

733.03

733.09

733.90

255.0

In informing beneficiaries about the denials of claims processed for BMMs,
Medicare will use the following Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) Messages,
effective for services on or after January 1, 2007:
•

MSN# 16.10: “Medicare does not pay for this item or service.” (FIs should
not include this MSN.)

•

If an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) was issued, the following MSN
will also follow:

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521
•

•

MSN# 36.1: “Our records show that you were informed in writing,
before receiving the service that Medicare would not pay. You are
liable for this charge. If you do not agree with this statement, you may
ask for a review.”

If an ABN was not issued the following MSN will also follow:
•

MSN# 36.2: “It appears that you did not know that we would not pay
for this service, so you are not liable. Do not pay your provider for this
service. If you have paid your provider for this service, you should
submit to this office three things: (1) a copy of this notice, (2) your
provider’s bill, and (3) a receipt or proof that you have paid the bill.
You must file your written request for payment within 6 months of the
date of this notice. Future services of this type provided to you will be
your responsibility.”

Note: Medicare will not cover single photon absorptiometry and procedure code
78350 will be denied (using MSN# 16.10) for services on or after January 1, 2007.
•

•

Effective January 1, 2007 the following Remittance Advice (RA) Messages will
be issued when Medicare denies BMM claims:
•

Claim adjustment reason code 50: "These are non-covered services
because this is not deemed a "medical necessity" by the payer".

•

If an ABN was issued the RA issued is M38: “The patient is liable for the
charges for this service as you informed the patient in writing before the
service was furnished that we would not pay for it, and the patient agreed
to pay.”

•

If an ABN was not issued RA, remark code is M27: “The patient has been
relieved of liability of payment of these items and services under the
limitation of liability provision of the law. You, the provider, are ultimately
liable for the patient's waived charges, including any charges for
coinsurance, since the items or services were not reasonable and
necessary or constituted custodial care, and you knew or could
reasonably have been expected to know, that they were not covered. You
may appeal this determination. You may ask for an appeal regarding both
the coverage determination and the issue of whether you exercised due
care. The appeal request must be filed within 120 days of the date you
receive this notice. You must make the request through this office.”

Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABNs) physicians, practitioners and hospitals
are liable for payment unless they issue an appropriate ABN. More
information on ABNs may be found in Chapter 30, Sections 40.3-40.3.8 of
the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, located at
http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521

Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Internet-Only-Manuals-IOMs.html on the
CMS website.
CHAPTER 15
• Definition of BMM: a radiologic, radioisotopic, or other procedure that meets
all of the following conditions:

•

•

Is performed to identify bone mass, detect bone loss, or determine bone
quality.

•

Is performed with either a bone densitometer (other than single-photon or
dual-photon absorptiometry) or a bone sonometer system that has been
cleared for marketing for BMM by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) under 21 CFR part 807, or approved for marketing under 21 CFR
part 814.

•

Includes a physician’s interpretation of the results.

Conditions for Coverage
•

Medicare covers BMM if it is ordered by a qualified physician or nonphysician practitioner, who is treating the beneficiary following an
evaluation of the need for a BMM and the appropriate BMM to be used.

•

The BMM must be performed under the appropriate level of supervision
as defined in 42 CFR 410.32(b).

•

The BMM must be reasonable and necessary for diagnosis and treatment
of a beneficiary who meets at least one of the following conditions:
•

A woman who has been determined by the physician or qualified
nonphysician practitioner treating her to be estrogen-deficient and at
clinical risk for osteoporosis, based on her medical history and other
findings.
NOTE: Since not every woman who has been prescribed estrogen
replacement therapy (ERT) may be receiving an “adequate” dose of the
therapy, the fact that a woman is receiving ERT should not preclude her
treating physician or other qualified treating nonphysician practitioner from
ordering a bone mass measurement for her. If a BMM is ordered for a
woman following a careful evaluation of her medical need, however, it is
expected that the ordering treating physician (or other qualified treating
nonphysician practitioner) will document in her medical record why he or
she believes that the woman is estrogen-deficient and at clinical risk for
osteoporosis.
•

An individual with vertebral abnormalities as demonstrated by an x-ray
to be indicative of osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fracture.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521
•
•
•

•

•

An individual receiving (or expecting to receive) glucocorticoid
(steroid) therapy equivalent to an average of 5.0 mg of prednisone, or
greater, per day, for more than 3 months.
An individual with primary hyperparathyroidism.
An individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of
an FDA-approved osteoporosis drug therapy.

•

In the case of any individual who being monitored to assess the response
to or efficacy of an FDA-approved osteoporosis drug therapy, the BMM
must be performed with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial
skeleton).

•

In the case of any individual who meets the above conditions and who has
a confirmatory BMM, the BMM is performed by a dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry system (axial skeleton) if the initial BMM was not
performed by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial skeleton).
A confirmatory baseline BMM is not covered if the initial BMM was
performed by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry system (axial skeleton).

Frequency Standards
•

Medicare pays for a screening BMM once every 2 years

•

Medicare may pay for more frequent screenings when medically
necessary. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following medical
circumstances:
•

Monitoring beneficiaries on long-term glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy
of more than 3 months.

•

Confirming baseline BMMs to permit monitoring of beneficiaries in the
future.

Noncovered BMMs occur when they are not considered reasonable and
necessary under section 1862 (a) (1) (A) of the Act.
•

Single photon absorptiometry (effective January 1, 2007).

•

Dual photon absorptiometry (established in 1983).

Additional Information
For complete details regarding this Change Request (CR) please see the official
instruction (CR5521) issued to your Medicare carrier, FI or A/B MAC. That
instruction consists of 3 transmittals, i.e.:
•

Transmittal 69, which contains the Medicare National Coverage
Determination, which is at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM5521

Related Change Request Number: 5521

Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R69NCD.pdf on the CMS
website;
•

Transmittal 70, which contains the revised Medicare Benefit Policy Manual
sections, is at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R70bp.pdf on the CMS
website; and

•

Transmittal 1236 contains the Medicare Claims Processing Manual revisions
and is at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R1236CP.pdf on the CMS
website.

If you have questions, please contact your Medicare carrier, FI or A/B MAC, at
their toll-free number, which may be found at http://www.cms.gov/ResearchStatistics-Data-and-Systems/Monitoring-Programs/provider-compliance-interactivemap/index.html on the CMS website.

A brochure outlining ‘Bone Mass Measurements’ is available at
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-NetworkMLN/MLNProducts/downloads/Bone_Mass.pdf on the CMS website.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either
the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement
of their contents. CPT only copyright 2007 American Medical Association.

Page 7 of 7



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