Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities
Some suppliers that perform diagnostic tests, other than clinical laboratory or pathology test, are required to enroll as an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF). Not all suppliers that perform these diagnostic tests are required to enroll as an IDTF. Generally, entities can bill for the technical component of the diagnostic tests without an IDTF enrollment if it has the following characteristics:
- A physician practice that is owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more physicians or by a hospital
- A facility that primarily bills for physician services and not for diagnostic tests
- A facility that furnishes diagnostic tests primarily to patients whose medical conditions are being treated or managed on an ongoing basis by one or more physicians in the practice
- The diagnostic tests are performed and interpreted at the same location where the practice physicians also treat patients for their medical conditions
However, if a substantial portion of the facility's business involves the performance of diagnostic tests, the diagnostic testing services may be a sufficient separate business to require enrollment as an IDTF. In that case, the physician or physician group practice can continue to be enrolled as a physician or physician group practice but are also required to enroll as an IDTF. The physician or group can bill for professional fees and the diagnostic tests they perform on their patients using their billing number. Therefore, the practice must bill as an IDTF for diagnostic tests furnished to Medicare beneficiaries who are not regular patients of the physician or group practice.
Additional Section Links
- Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities - Update
- Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities Coding List
