Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
0.00
Facility
N/A
Non-Facility
N/A
Documentation Required
Documentation of SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS must be present to justify testing (e.g., abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, vaginal itch/irritation) — policy repeatedly specifies tests are medically necessary for women WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS
For Trichomonas screening, documentation of RISK FACTORS is required (examples listed: new or multiple sexual partners; history of sexually transmitted diseases; exchange of sex for payment; injection drug use)
Appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis code from the policy's 'covered' list should be submitted with the claim (policy provides a list of covered ICD-10 codes such as A59.01, B37.31, B37.32, B96.89, N76.0–N76.3, N77.1, N89.8, O23.00–O23.93, L29.2, L29.3, Z72.51–Z72.53, etc.)
Claims for PCR/molecular tests covered 'if selection criteria are met' — documentation must support that selection criteria (symptoms or risk factors as applicable) were met
Key Coverage Criteria
Direct DNA probe assays (e.g., Affirm VP/VP III) for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida species, and Gardnerella vaginalis for members WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS
Measurement of sialidase activity in vaginal fluid (e.g., BVBlue test) for WOMEN WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS
Testing of vaginal pH and testing for presence of amines (e.g., FemExam) for WOMEN WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS
Nucleic acid amplification (PCR/NAAT) tests for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (examples: BD MAX Vaginal Panel, Aptima BV, NuSwab VG, OneSwab BV Panel PCR with Lactobacillus Profiling, SureSwab BV) in WOMEN WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS
Nucleic acid amplification (PCR/NAAT) tests for diagnosis of Candida vaginitis (detection of Candida albicans, glabrata, krusei, parapsilosis, tropicalis) in WOMEN WITH SYMPTOMS OF VAGINITIS (examples: BD MAX vaginitis panel, GenPath GenPap, INFINITI Candida Vaginosis QUAD Assay, LabCorp NuSwab, MDL OneSwab, Quest SureSwab)
Screening for Trichomonas vaginalis with NAAT, direct probe, or antigen detection tests for WOMEN WITH RISK FACTORS (examples: new or multiple partners; history of sexually transmitted diseases; exchange of sex for payment; injection drug use)
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.
For BVBlue (sialidase) testing, specimen collection details noted in the evidence: speculum must NOT be lubricated, and vaginal discharge should be collected from the lower one-third of the vaginal wall (collection technique should be consistent with test instructions and may be documented)
When using PCR/NAAT assays that are not FDA-cleared for Candida detection, providers should document familiarity with the specific test performance characteristics (as per CDC guidance cited in policy)