What is the coverage for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?

September 20, 2009 by admin

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) takes many readings of your blood pressure over a 24-hour period or longer. It provides detailed and reliable information. It can give you and your doctor a truer picture of your blood pressure rather than occasional visits and readings taken at your doctor's office. This service is covered by Medicare only for those who are suspected of having "white coat hypertension", a term meaning that just going to the doctor's office is enough to raise their blood pressure. The Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring cuff is not a self-monitoring device. A doctor must transfer information from this cuff to a computer. This information is then analyzed by a specialist. This device belongs to the provider and Medicare does not cover the purchase of this item for private use.