Does A18.51 require prior authorization?

No, A18.51 does not require prior authorization (high confidence). Code is covered without prior authorization.

Verity

`A18.51` — Tuberculous episcleritis

ICD-10-CM

Prior Authorization

No Prior Auth Required

Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)

Documentation Required

The submitted medical record must support the selected ICD-10-CM code(s), and the submitted CPT/HCPCS code must accurately describe the service performed.
The medical record must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care.
When billing CPT 84999 for the listed tests, include a note identifying the specific test in the Remarks (Part A) or Narrative (Part B) area of the claim.
All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record, be legible, include patient identification (e.g., complete name) and dates of service, and be made available to the contractor upon request.

Key Coverage Criteria

For tests that currently lack specific CPT codes (functional intracellular analysis and total antioxidant function), bill using CPT 84999 and add a note identifying which test was performed in the Remarks area for Part A claims and the Narrative area for Part B claims.
Coverage and reasonable/necessary determinations for assays for vitamins and metabolic function are governed by LCD L34914 and claims must meet that LCD's requirements to be covered.
Fundus photography is covered when medical necessity is documented in the medical record, including relevant history, exam, diagnostic test results, and retention of the photographs and an interpretation/report.
Extended ophthalmoscopy is covered when medical necessity is documented for each eye, including relevant history, physical exam, pertinent diagnostic results, and retinal drawings that meet the policy specifications.
Patients actively receiving intravitreal injections for exudative age-related macular degeneration (ICD H35.3210-H35.3213, H35.3220-H35.3223, H35.3230-H35.3233) may require and are covered for extended ophthalmoscopy.
Conditions including tuberculosis of eye (A18.53, A18.54), diabetes mellitus with ophthalmic complications (E08.311-E08.359, E09.311-E09.359, E10.311-E10.359, E11.311-E11.359, E13.311-E13.359), ophthalmia nodosa (H16.241-H16.249), selected anterior segment disorders (H20.00-H21.1X1), and transient cerebral ischemic attacks with ocular involvement (G45.3) may require extended ophthalmoscopy and are covered.

20 Active Policies

A57484 — Billing and Coding: Vitamin D Assay Testing

J05

A57483 — Billing and Coding: Visual Fields

J05

L34615 — Visual Fields

J05

L34658 — Vitamin D Assay Testing

J05

L33567 — Ophthalmology: Posterior Segment Imaging (Extended Ophthalmoscopy and Fundus Photography)

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A18.51 — Tuberculous episcleritis