Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

Cosmetic surgery not medically necessary is an example of a non-covered service under Medicare regulations because Medicare typically does not cover procedures that are performed primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than for the treatment of a medical condition. Such procedures do not meet the criteria for medical necessity, which is a fundamental principle in determining coverage under Medicare.

Medicare is designed to cover services that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury. Non-essential cosmetic procedures do not fulfill this criterion and, as a result, are excluded from coverage.

In contrast, emergency surgery, routine annual physical exams, and medication prescribed after discharge have circumstances under which they could be covered. For emergency surgeries, Medicare may provide coverage if they are deemed necessary for a medical emergency. Routine physical exams may be limited to specific guidelines but are sometimes partially covered. Medications prescribed after discharge can also be covered depending on the circumstances and the specific medication prescribed.