Highmark Medicare Services has issued a Local Coverage Determination (“LCD”) applicable to services performed on or after November 11, 2011, that eliminates coverage for urine drug screens (“UDS”) used by physicians to monitor whether patients are adhering to their medication regimens. The LCD limits coverage of UDS to circumstances where patients present with a suspected drug overdose, with known substance abuse or dependence, or for chronic pain patients suspected of illicit drug use ONLY if there has been an acute change in the patient’s physical or mental status, which the LCD equates with unexplained coma, unexplained altered mental status, severe cardiovascular instability, unexplained metabolic or respiratory acidosis, or unexplained seizures. The LCD expressly provides that drug screening for compliance purposes, diversion, or in asymptomatic patients is not covered.
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