billing codes issued for coverage of continuous glucose monitors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)announced late last year that it is issuing billing codes for continuousglucose monitoring technology. The codes, which took effecton January 1, 2008, are used by public and private health insuranceplans to process payments for these devices.> Separate billing codesare being issued for each component of a continuous glucose monitoringsystem. The codes are: A9276 for the sensor, A9277 for thetransmitter, and A9278 for the receiver.The new billing codes should make it easier for health plans toprocess payment for continuous glucose monitors (CGM). Whilemost health plans are waiting for the results of studies like JDRF�sCGM clinical trial before making a formal decision to cover thetechnology, many are paying for CGM on a case by case basis forsome individuals, and the codes will help facilitate that process.JDRF has prepared tips to help those seeking case by case coverage,which are posted at www.jdrf.org/cgmcoverage.JDRF began advocating for billing codes more than a year and ahalf ago. The foundation�s actions included:� Testifying at CMS public hearings and submitting formalcomments from JDRF about how the granting of codes would helppeople with diabetes; and� Working with Congress, device manufacturers, and privatehealth plans to share information with CMS about the importance of the billing codes.