[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR410.23]

[Page 246-247]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 410--SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE (SMI) BENEFITS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart B--Medical and Other Health Services
 
Sec. 410.23  Screening for glaucoma: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.

    (a) Definitions: As used in this section, the following definitions 
apply:
    (1) Direct supervision in the office setting means the optometrist 
or the ophthalmologist must be present in the office suite and be 
immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the 
performance of the procedure. It does not mean the physician must be 
present in the room when the procedure is performed.
    (2) Eligible beneficiary means individuals in the following high 
risk categories:
    (i) Individual with diabetes mellitus;

[[Page 247]]

    (ii) Individual with a family history of glaucoma; or
    (iii) African-Americans age 50 and over.
    (3) Screening for glaucoma means the following procedures furnished 
to an individual for the early detection of glaucoma:
    (i) A dilated eye examination with an intraocular pressure 
measurement.
    (ii) A direct ophthalmoscopy examination, or a slit-lamp 
biomicroscopic examination.
    (b) Condition for coverage of screening for glaucoma.
    Medicare Part B pays for glaucoma screening examinations provided to 
eligible beneficiaries as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section 
if they are furnished by or under the direct supervision in the office 
setting of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized 
to perform these services under State law (or the State regulatory 
mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the services are 
furnished, as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or 
incident to a physician's professional service.
    (c) Limitations on coverage of glaucoma screening examinations.
    (1) Payment may not be made for a glaucoma screening examination 
that is performed for an individual who is not an eligible beneficiary 
as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (2) Payment may be made for a glaucoma screening examination that is 
performed on an individual who is an eligible beneficiary as described 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, after at least 11 months have 
passed following the month in which the last glaucoma screening 
examination was performed.

[66 FR 55328, Nov. 1, 2001]