Serum Magnesium

LCD Information Document Information Source LCD ID N/A LCD ID L36702 Original ICD-9 LCD ID Not Applicable LCD Title Serum Magnesium Proposed LCD in Comment Period N/A Source Proposed LCD DL36702 Opens in a new window Original Effective Date For services performed on or after 03/13/2017 Revision Effective Date For services performed on or after 10/16/2025 Revision Ending Date N/A Retirement Date N/A Notice Period Start Date 01/26/2017 Notice Period End Date 03/12/2017 CPT codes, descriptions, and other data only are copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. 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Issue Issue Description This update is to consolidate JE and JF to have one unified document and policy number. Issue - Explanation of Change Between Proposed LCD and Final LCD CMS National Coverage Policy Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; Section 1862(a)(7). This section excludes routine physical examinations.Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A). This section allows coverage and payment for only those services that are considered to be medically reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member. Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; Section 1833(e). This section prohibits Medicare payment for any claim, which lacks the necessary information to process the claim. Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity Note: Providers should seek information related to National Coverage Determinations (NCD) and other Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructions in CMS Manuals. This LCD only pertains to the contractor's discretionary coverage related to this service.Magnesium is a mineral required by the body for the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a source of energy. It is also necessary for neuromuscular irritability and blood clotting. Magnesium deficiency produces neuromuscular disorders. It may cause weakness, tremors, tetany, and convulsions. Hypomagnesemia is associated with hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, long-term hyperalimentation, intravenous therapy, diabetes mellitus (especially during treatment of ketoacidosis); alcoholism and other types of malnutrition; malabsorption; hyperparathyroidism; dialysis; pregnancy; and hyperaldosteronism. The following are other conditions that may cause magnesium deficiencies Renal loss of magnesium occurs with cis-platinum therapy. Hypomagnesemia may also be induced by amphotericin or anti-EGFR (some monoclonal antibodies) toxicity. Magnesium deficiency is described with cardiac arrhythmias. There is evidence that magnesium may cause arrhythmias. Indications:Utilization of certain cardiac drugs which cause adverse effects in the presence of low magnesium (i.e., quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide phosphate or Norpace). Patients taking these drugs should have their magnesium checked approximately once every six months. Long term parenteral nutrition. Patients on long term parenteral nutrition that are otherwise asymptomatic should have their serum magnesium checked monthly. Malabsorption syndrome. The frequency should depend on the severity of the syndrome, but once the patient's level is stabilized, a monthly check should be adequate. Renal loss secondary to diuretic use. Chronic alcoholism, diabetic acidosis, and renal tubular acidosis. These patients should be followed on an as needed basis according to their symptomatology. Without symptoms, they should be checked no more than annually. Chronic diarrhea, otherwise unexplained and persistent. Prolonged nasogastric suction greater than five days. These patients should have a magnesium check every two to three weeks. Cisplatin treatment. Amphotericin treatment EGFR monoclonal antibodies Patients receiving IV magnesium therapy for a low serum level. Serum level should be monitored appropriately. Patients with hypocalcemia. If the hypocalcemia persists, the level should probably be checked on a six-month basis as long as the patient does not have symptoms of arrhythmias that would warrant closer follow up. Lethargy and confusion that are not otherwise explained. Once a patient has been diagnosed with mental health processes such as Alzheimer or psychotic depression, etc., there is no indication to follow their magnesium level on a regular basis. Patients receiving oral magnesium in the face of impaired renal function should have their magnesium level checked on a monthly basis. Other clinical situations: Pre-eclampsia Unexplained muscular paralysis Neuromuscular irritability Blood clotting abnormalities Evidence (mixed) that magnesium levels are low and increased magnesium may benefit patients with sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia and hypersplenism– more recent articles dispute this. Long Q-T syndrome, torsades de pointes and ventricular arrhythmias. Summary of Evidence NA Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination) NA

Note: Providers should seek information related to National Coverage Determinations (NCD) and other Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructions in CMS Manuals. This LCD only pertains to the contractor's discretionary coverage related to this service. Magnesium is a mineral required by the body for the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a source of energy. It is also necessary for neuromuscular irritability and blood clotting. Magnesium deficiency produces neuromuscular disorders. It may cause weakness, tremors, tetany, and convulsions. Hypomagnesemia is associated with hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, long-term hyperalimentation, intravenous therapy, diabetes mellitus (especially during treatment of ketoacidosis); alcoholism and other types of malnutrition; malabsorption; hyperparathyroidism; dialysis; pregnancy; and hyperaldosteronism. The following are other conditions that may cause magnesium deficiencies Renal loss of magnesium occurs with cis-platinum therapy. Hypomagnesemia may also be induced by amphotericin or anti-EGFR (some monoclonal antibodies) toxicity. Magnesium deficiency is described with cardiac arrhythmias. There is evidence that magnesium may cause arrhythmias. Indications: Utilization of certain cardiac drugs which cause adverse effects in the presence of low magnesium (i.e., quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide phosphate or Norpace). Patients taking these drugs should have their magnesium checked approximately once every six months. Long term parenteral nutrition. Patients on long term parenteral nutrition that are otherwise asymptomatic should have their serum magnesium checked monthly. Malabsorption syndrome. The frequency should depend on the severity of the syndrome, but once the patient's level is stabilized, a monthly check should be adequate. Renal loss secondary to diuretic use. Chronic alcoholism, diabetic acidosis, and renal tubular acidosis. These patients should be followed on an as needed basis according to their symptomatology. Without symptoms, they should be checked no more than annually. Chronic diarrhea, otherwise unexplained and persistent. Prolonged nasogastric suction greater than five days. These patients should have a magnesium check every two to three weeks. Cisplatin treatment. Amphotericin treatment EGFR monoclonal antibodies Patients receiving IV magnesium therapy for a low serum level. Serum level should be monitored appropriately. Patients with hypocalcemia. If the hypocalcemia persists, the level should probably be checked on a six-month basis as long as the patient does not have symptoms of arrhythmias that would warrant closer follow up. Lethargy and confusion that are not otherwise explained. Once a patient has been diagnosed with mental health processes such as Alzheimer or psychotic depression, etc., there is no indication to follow their magnesium level on a regular basis. Patients receiving oral magnesium in the face of impaired renal function should have their magnesium level checked on a monthly basis. Other clinical situations: Pre-eclampsia Unexplained muscular paralysis Neuromuscular irritability Blood clotting abnormalities Evidence (mixed) that magnesium levels are low and increased magnesium may benefit patients with sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia and hypersplenism– more recent articles dispute this. Long Q-T syndrome, torsades de pointes and ventricular arrhythmias.