C43.21 — Malignant melanoma of right ear and external auricular canal
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- Report BRAF V600 test kit services using CPT code 81210 on claims.
- Submit the assigned DEX Z-Code™ Identifier in the comment/narrative field: Loop 2400 or SV101-7 for 5010A1 837P electronic claims; alternatively use SV202-7 (preferred) or the NTE field.
- For paper Part B claims attach the DEX Z-Code identifier to the claim; for Part A enter the DEX Z-Code adjacent to CPT on Line SV202-7 for 837I electronic claims or Block 80 on the UB-04 form.
- Select and report the appropriate ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for melanoma on the claim.
Key Coverage Criteria
- BRAF V600 mutation testing (cobas® 4800 BRAF V600) is covered to detect BRAF mutation in melanoma to determine eligibility for vemurafenib (Zelboraf) in patients with melanoma that is unresectable or metastatic.
- BRAF V600E and V600K mutation testing (ThxID™ BRAF V600/K) is covered to identify melanoma patients whose tumors carry V600E and/or V600K mutations for selection of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and/or trametinib (Mekinist).
- CPT codes 64400-64530 for peripheral nerve blocks may be reported on the date of surgery when performed for postoperative pain management only if the operative anesthesia is general anesthesia, subarachnoid injection, or epidural injection and the adequacy of intraoperative anesthesia is not dependent on the peripheral nerve block.
- Peripheral nerve block services that are separate, medically necessary services which cannot be rendered by the surgeon may be reported if the surgeon documents the reason for referral and the additional services are justified in the medical record.
- Mohs micrographic surgery is covered when selected because the lesion's complexity (e.g., poorly defined borders, suspected deep invasion, recurrent lesion, prior radiation), size, or anatomic location requires maximal tissue conservation and other approaches (standard excision or destruction) are not medically reasonable or necessary.
- Mohs surgery is considered covered when the surgeon performs both the surgical excision and the pathologic examination (surgeon acting in integrated surgical and pathology roles) as part of the Mohs technique.
20 Active Policies
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A55161 — Billing and Coding: MolDX: FDA-Approved BRAF Tests
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L38158 — MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors
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L36807 — MolDX: Molecular Diagnostic Tests (MDT)
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