D15.9 — Benign neoplasm of intrathoracic organ, unspecified
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The performing provider must maintain medical record documentation that clearly supports the medical necessity of the billed service and include that documentation in the patient's record for review upon request.
- Documentation should state whether the block was diagnostic or therapeutic, include pre- and post-procedure evaluations, and document patient education and the assessment of procedural outcome.
- Documentation must support coverage criteria in the LCD 'Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity' section and the provider should document why services cannot be rendered by the surgeon when applicable.
- For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the referring/ordering physician's name and NPI must be reported on the claim.
Key Coverage Criteria
- 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.
- Peripheral nerve blocks are covered when they meet the reasonable and necessary requirements specified in LCD L33933.
- Peripheral nerve block is reasonable when the patient's pain appears due to a classic mononeuritis but neuro-diagnostic studies fail to provide a structural explanation.
- Peripheral nerve blocks are reasonable for peripheral nerve injuries/entrapment or extremity trauma that lead to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- Selective peripheral nerve blockade is reasonable diagnostically when the clinical picture is unclear to isolate the specific pain source.
4 Active Policies
A57452 — Billing and Coding: Peripheral Nerve Blocks
J06
L36850 — Peripheral Nerve Blocks
J06
A57788 — Billing and Coding: Peripheral Nerve Blocks
L33933 — Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Related Codes
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