D12.6 — Benign neoplasm of colon, unspecified
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.
- When performed for surveillance of colonic neoplasia, report the appropriate CPT/HCPCS procedure code and the appropriate primary ICD-10-CM code plus one of the following secondary diagnosis codes: Z85.038, Z85.048, Z86.0100, Z86.0101, Z86.0102, or Z86.0109.
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.
- Colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy/proctosigmoidoscopy is covered for surveillance of colonic neoplasia in patients with a history of colorectal cancer or colonic polyps.
- A follow-up procedure is covered 1 year after surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer when the patient is identified as high-risk for colon cancer and is eligible for continued screenings.
- Compounded medications for use in implantable infusion pumps may be covered by Medicare when their use meets all other criteria for services provided incident to a physician's service.
20 Active Policies
A56394 — Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy-Diagnostic
J05
L34614 — Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy-Diagnostic
J05
A57450 — Billing and Coding: Genetic Testing for Lynch Syndrome
J09
L33583 — Diagnostic and Therapeutic Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
J09
L34912
Related Codes
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