I15.9 — Secondary hypertension, unspecified
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- Patient record must document BMI >= 35, at least one obesity-related comorbidity, and a primary diagnosis of morbid obesity (ICD-10-CM E66.01) for bariatric surgery claims.
- Documentation of prior conservative medical treatment: active participation within the 12 months prior to surgery in a physician- or healthcare professional-supervised weight-management program for a minimum of four consecutive months with monthly documentation of weight and BMI, current dietary regimen, and physical activity.
- A thorough multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 6 months must include: (a) surgeon evaluation recommending the procedure and describing the proposed procedure, (b) separate non-surgeon physician medical evaluation with recommendation and medical clearance, (c) mental health/psychosocial clearance including a statement on motivation and ability to follow post-surgical requirements, and (d) nutritional evaluation by a physician or registered dietician.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is covered when the beneficiary has BMI >= 35 and at least one obesity-related comorbidity, has documented failure of reasonable non-invasive/non-surgical treatments with compliance, and has completed the required multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 6 months.
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) or gastric reduction duodenal switch (BPD/GRDS) is covered when the beneficiary has BMI >= 35 and at least one obesity-related comorbidity, has documented failure of reasonable non-invasive/non-surgical treatments with compliance, and has completed the required multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 6 months.
- Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (AGB) is covered when the beneficiary has BMI >= 35 and at least one obesity-related comorbidity, has documented failure of reasonable non-invasive/non-surgical treatments with compliance, and has completed the required multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 6 months.
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is covered when the beneficiary has BMI >= 35 and at least one obesity-related comorbidity, has documented failure of reasonable non-invasive/non-surgical treatments with compliance, and has completed the required multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 6 months.
- Follow-up or limited transthoracic echocardiography performed to evaluate a single specified cardiac problem or region must be billed with CPT 93308.
- Limited Doppler/follow-up echocardiographic studies (for targeted velocity or gradient assessment) should be billed with CPT 93321 (e.g., tricuspid regurgitant velocity to estimate pulmonary artery systolic pressure or sequential transmitral velocity in mitral stenosis).
7 Active Policies
A53026 — Billing and Coding: Bariatric Surgery Coverage
A56625 — Billing and Coding: Echocardiography
A56675 — Billing and Coding: Homocysteine Level, Serum
A56852 — Billing and Coding: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Severe Obesity
L34419 — Homocysteine Level, Serum
Related Codes
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