K35.209 — Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, without abscess, unspecified as to perforation
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- Medical records must document that the ultrasound was limited to retroperitoneal structures when billing CPT 76770/76775/76776, including images/findings demonstrating limitation to the retroperitoneum.
- If the exam was expanded to include organs outside the retroperitoneum, documentation must reflect the expansion and support billing a full or limited abdominal ultrasound (CPT 76700/76705/76706).
- Claims and documentation should follow the complementary Local Coverage Determination L34577 and any applicable LCD requirements.
- This billing and coding article provides guidelines that complement Local Coverage Determination L34415 for CT of the abdomen and pelvis; consult LCD L34415 for specific coverage indications, limitations, and documentation requirements.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Retroperitoneal ultrasound (CPT 76770, 76775, 76776) is covered when the exam is limited solely to retroperitoneal structures.
- A full (complete) or limited abdominal ultrasound (CPT 76700, 76705, 76706) is covered when the exam includes organs or structures outside the retroperitoneum or when primary findings involve non-retroperitoneal structures (e.g., gallbladder, liver, spleen, common bile duct).
- Molecular syndromic infectious disease panels are covered when billed with the appropriate proprietary CPT®/PLA code (or CPT® 87999 if no specific code exists) and accompanied by ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes that support medical necessity documented in the patient record.
- FDA-approved or cleared molecular infectious disease tests performed consistent with their intended use labeling are covered without a DEX Z-Code and Technical Assessment when billed with appropriate ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and supporting documentation.
- Expanded (>5 pathogens) respiratory (RP/PNP) and gastrointestinal (GI) panels are covered if billed from place of service (POS) 19, 21, 22, or 23, or if ordered by an appropriate specialist depending on beneficiary immune status and the specialist is diagnosing/treating the beneficiary.
- For immune-compromised beneficiaries, expanded panels (RP/PNP/GI/other panels) are covered when ordered by a specialist in Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Transplant, Pulmonology (for RP/PNP), or Gastroenterology (for GI) who is diagnosing and treating the beneficiary.
14 Active Policies
L39044 — MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing
J05
A58761 — Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing
J05
A58710 — Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing
A58720 — Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing
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