Medicare contractor Noridian revises sleep study LCD policy to require accreditation

This week Medicare contractor Noridian Healthcare Services LLC announced revisions to its local coverage determination (LCD) policy for polysomnography and other sleep studies for Jurisdiction E (L36861) and Jurisdiction F (L34040), affecting sleep facilities in 13 states. By June 5, 2017, these sleep facilities must have sleep-specific accreditation to be eligible for coverage.

The revised LCD affects sleep facilities in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and select U.S. territories.

The AASM has created a new program that will expedite accreditation applications for sleep facilities impacted by recent changes to Medicare coverage policies for sleep studies. Depending on a facility’s responsiveness and the thoroughness of its application, the AASM may be able to issue an accreditation decision 2 to 4 weeks after application submission.To request participation in the expedited accreditation program, sleep facilities must contact the AASM Accreditation Department at 630-737-9700 or accreditation@aasm.org.