Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
5.25
Facility
$226.79
Non-Facility
$1110.91
Documentation Required
For decisions about preoperative biliary drainage: documentation of rationale for PBD if performed given evidence that routine PBD may increase infectious complications
Operative and peri-operative records documenting reconstruction technique (antecolic vs retrocolic), use of Braun anastomosis, omental/falciform wraps, stent placement, fibrin patch application, and rationale for such adjuncts (since evidence varies and practices may be individualized)
No explicit 'Documentation Requirements' section is provided in the text. (The policy repeatedly states that codes/procedures are 'covered if selection criteria are met' but does not list the selection criteria.)
Inferred documentation to support coverage (not explicitly listed in the CPB) should include: clinical diagnosis corresponding to a covered ICD-10 code (e.g., pathology or imaging confirming pancreatic adenocarcinoma, IPMN with high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer, neuroendocrine tumor, chronic pancreatitis, duodenal neoplasm, ampullary carcinoma/adenoma, cholangiocarcinoma, combined pancreatic/duodenal injury)
Key Coverage Criteria
Surgical resection of endocrine tumors (gastrinomas) including management of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES), with and without multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)
Resection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas
C24.1 Malignant neoplasm of ampulla of Vater
D13.2 Benign neoplasm of duodenum
D13.5 Benign neoplasm of extrahepatic bile ducts
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (also known as Whipple resection) : CPT codes covered if selection criteria are met : 48150 Pancreatectomy, proximal subtotal with total duodenectomy, partial gastrectomy, choledochoenterostomy and gastrojejunostomy (Whipple- hyphen type procedure); with pancreatojejunostomy
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.
Operative report documenting the performed pancreaticoduodenectomy (type of reconstruction, anastomosis details, use of pancreatojejunostomy or not), and any adjunct procedures (Braun enteroenterostomy, pancreatic duct stenting, use of fibrin sealant) as applicable
Pathology report when indicated (e.g., confirming invasive cancer or high-grade dysplasia for IPMN)