Medicare Reimbursement for 30-day Cardiac Monitoring

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

I have a Medicare patient with a heart rate of 44 with complaint of sleep apnea and some light-headedness, as well as loss of sexual performance. I am thinking that this could be tied to a further drop of his heart rate when sleeping and would like to do a 30-day cardiac monitoring. Does anyone know if Medicare will pay for this? If not, are there "affordable" options? Thanks for your input.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm not sure but would an overnight pulse ox show heart rate? If it does and IT is covered that might be a workaround.

If someone is braycardic and symptomatic with no obvious cause (beta blocker, etc) I'd send them to cardio for potential pacer.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

I'm not sure but would an overnight pulse ox show heart rate? If it does and IT is covered that might be a workaround.

If someone is braycardic and symptomatic with no obvious cause (beta blocker, etc) I'd send them to cardio for potential pacer.

This patient is quite active and the only reason I am thinking there is a connection is his sleep apnea and slower heart rate. He saw a cardiologist about a year ago and, according to the patient, is fine. I of course have requested a copy of the records. The patient just returned from a 3 week trip to Africa and did just fine. It may be "normal" for him, but I would still like to see if I can get this done. If not, I will refer him to a different cardio for work-up.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

As an update. Patient notified me that he saw the cardiologist and is currently doing a 30-day monitor! Go figure...just glad he is being attended to properly now.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I just love some of these patients and what they say is "normal."

"My blood pressure is always 170/95! It's fine" uhhhhh....