Last Thursday,  First Coast Service Options, Florida’s Medicare Administrative Contractor, released the attached Minimum Criteria for the use of Ultrasound.   This criteria has immediate effect for Medicare patients in the State of Florida.  Attention is required if you utilize Ultrasound in the practice.   As with other non-covered services, an Advanced Beneficiary Notice should be used in situations that fall outside the criteria.  The Florida Orthopaedic Society is reviewing the document and considering our options to address any concerns with the criteria.  Please notify all of the appropriate personnel in your practice of these new guidelines.  Please feel free to send any thoughts or documentation to the FOS as we review the document.