National Coverage Determinations (NCD) and Local Coverage Determinations (LCD)

Throughout each benefit year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) release National Coverage Determination (NCD) notices.  NCD notices inform Medicare beneficiaries of new services or therapies that are covered or a change to existing coverage.

Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) are decisions made by a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) whether to cover a particular item or service in a MAC’s jurisdiction (region).  An LCD does not replace, modify or supersede existing Medicare applicable NCDs.

We post all NCD and LCD notices from CMS for the current plan year.  You can also view all notices on the Medicare Coverage Database.