B20, Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The medical record must document the medical reasonableness, necessity, and clinical frequency of the diagnostic colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy and be available to the Contractor upon request.
- Documentation must indicate the precise areas scoped and the depth reached during colonoscopy.
- Refer to associated LCD L34614 and Medicare IOM for additional coverage and documentation guidance for colorectal cancer screening procedures.
- For fundus photography, the medical record must document relevant medical history, physical examination, pertinent diagnostic test results, retention of the photographs, an interpretation/report, whether the pupil was dilated, and which drug was used; records must be legible and available to the carrier.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Diagnostic colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is covered to directly visualize the lower gastrointestinal tract (colon, rectum, sigmoid) to detect polyps, tumors, or other intestinal lesions.
- Diagnostic colonoscopy is covered when identification of the site of pathology and/or obtaining a biopsy during the procedure is clinically indicated.
- A follow-on screening colonoscopy is covered after a positive covered blood-based biomarker noninvasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test per NCD 210.3, effective 2025-01-01.
- 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.
20 Active Policies
CGS-L34399, Ophthalmology: Posterior Segment Imaging (Extended Ophthalmoscopy and Fundus Photography)
J15
CGS-L39506, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
J15
CGS-L34037, Flow Cytometry
J15
CGS-L34005, Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy
J15
CGS-L34356
Related Codes
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