Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Defibrillator and Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)

Defibrillators

An automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) is a surgically-implanted electrical device that is capable of cardiac defibrillation if it detects a heart rhythm that is incompatible with life (fires out of sync with the heart rhythm), cardioversion if it detects a problematic arrhythmia (fires in sync with the heart rhythm), and pacing of the heart (promotes a normal heartbeat and increases heart muscle contraction). AICDs are used when there is a possibility of irregular, life-threatening heart rhythms, as happen with significant heart damage or failure.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with heart failure, Medicare may cover an AICD. If the surgery to insert the AICD takes place in an outpatient setting, as most do, your loved one will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the provider's services (and the Part B deductible applies), as well as an outpatient copay that cannot be more than the Part A hospital stay deductible.

Part A covers surgeries to implant AICDs in the inpatient hospital setting.

Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) screenings

EKG is the same thing as an ECG, it just comes from the original German word, Elektrokardiogramm. Historically, worldwide, these were - and often still are - referred to by the original name, "EKG."

An EKG/ECG is a process of multiple electrode placements on the skin around the chest and on the extremities that produces a recording of the heart's electrical activity through repeated cardiac cycles. It is a quick and pain-free test that helps providers evaluate heart health and function. It can capture many things from conduction problems to arrhythmias, old and new tissue damage to heart attacks.

Medicare covers a routine EKG/ECG screening with a provider referral during the one-time Welcome to Medicare visit. Medicare also covers EKG/ECGs as diagnostic tests.