November 28, 2016
Physicians! Are You Ordering Nebulizers and Inhalation Medication For Your Patient?
Medicare will consider coverage of a nebulizer, compressor and related accessories when the patient’s medical record verifies the patient has a condition that requires certain inhalation medication (as outlined below).
For the nebulizer compressor only (E0570, E0575, E0580, E0585, K0730), the following is required prior to delivery:
| Nebulizer - Documentation prior to delivery | Nebulizer - Prescription prior to delivery |
|---|---|
A face-to face-visit within six months prior to prescribing:
|
A five element order (5EO) with the following:
|
For any item provided based on physician contact with a DME supplier to provide the
service (i.e., dispensing order), the supplier must obtain a detailed written order (DWO)
before submitting a claim. The detailed written order must contain:
| Detailed Written Order (DWO) elements prior to billing | Items provided on a periodic basis, inhalation drugs and related accessories/supplies must include |
|---|---|
| Beneficiary’s name | Item(s) to be dispensed |
| Prescribing practitioner’s name | Frequency of use |
| Date of the order | Quantity to be dispensed |
| Detailed description of the item(s) | Number of refills |
| Prescribing practitioner’s signature and signature date |
The DME MAC Nebulizers Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33370 outlines the coverage criteria for the nebulizer, related compressor, and FDA –approved nebulizer drugs and other related accessories/supplies.
The charts below provide the various types of nebulizers and inhalation drugs covered by Medicare for specific disease categories.
| Small Volume Nebulizer A7003-A7005 • Compressor E0570 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Cystic Fibrosis |
Cystic Fibrosis or Bronchiectasis |
HIV, Pneumocystosis, or Organ Transplants | Persistent Pulmonary Secretions |
| (Group 8 Codes) | (Group 9 Codes) | (Group 10 Codes) | (Group 4 Codes) | (Group 7 Codes) |
| Albuterol (J7611, J7613) |
Dornase Alpha J7639 | Tobramycin J7682 | Pentamidine J2545 | Acetylcysteine J7608 |
| Arformoterol (J7605) | ||||
| Budesonide (J7626) | ||||
| Cromolyn (J7631) | ||||
| Formoterol (J7606) | ||||
| Ipratropium (J7644) | ||||
| Levalbuterol (J7612, J7614) |
||||
| Metaproterenol (J7669) | ||||
| Large Volume Nebulizer A7007, A7017 • Compressor E0565, E0572 Water/Saline A4217 or A7018 or Combination Code E0585 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent thick and tenacious Pulmonary Secretions | |||
| Cystic Fibrosis | Bronchiectasis | Tracheostomy | Tracheobronchial Stent |
| (Group 5 Codes) | |||
| Acetylcysteine J7608 | |||
| Diagnosis codes that support medical necessity Group 5 codes section for applicable diagnoses. | |||
| Compressor E0565 or E0572 • Filtered Nebulizer A7006 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Persistent thick and tenacious Pulmonary Secretions | ||
| HIV | Pneumocystosis | Complications of Organ Transplants |
| (Group 5 Codes) | ||
| Acetylcysteine J7608 | ||
| Diagnosis codes that support medical necessity Group 5 codes section for applicable diagnoses. | ||
| Small Volume Ultrasonic Nebulizer E0574 Accessories A7013, A7014, A7016 |
|---|
| Pulmonary Hypertension with Additional Criteria |
| (Group 1 Codes) |
| Tresprostinil J7686 |
The Nebulizers Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33370 provides the usual maximum frequency of replacement of related accessories/supplies, as well as, the maximum milligrams per month of inhalation drugs that are reasonable and necessary.
Please note: If none of the drugs (as outlined above) used with a nebulizer are covered; the compressor, the nebulizer, and other related accessories/supplies will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
Local Coverage Determinations for Nebulizers
Jurisdiction A: https://med.noridianmedicare.com/documents/2230703/7218263/Nebulizers/db04b968-5cd0-4445-9707-0fe51d34ec80
Jurisdiction B: http://www.cgsmedicare.com/jb/coverage/lcdinfo.html
Jurisdiction C: http://www.cgsmedicare.com/jc/coverage/lcdinfo.html
Jurisdiction D: https://med.noridianmedicare.com/documents/2230703/7218263/Nebulizers/db04b968-5cd0-4445-9707-0fe51d34ec80

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