K87, Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas in diseases classified elsewhere
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 guidance complements Local Coverage Determination L34434; follow LCD L34434 for clinical coverage criteria and required documentation for claims.
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).
- For tests that currently lack specific CPT codes (functional intracellular analysis and total antioxidant function), bill using CPT 84999 and add a note identifying which test was performed in the Remarks area for Part A claims and the Narrative area for Part B claims.
- Coverage and reasonable/necessary determinations for assays for vitamins and metabolic function are governed by LCD L34914 and claims must meet that LCD's requirements to be covered.
- 25-hydroxy vitamin D testing (including fractions, if performed) is covered when deemed reasonable and necessary per Local Coverage Determination L33771.
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (diagnostic or therapeutic) is covered when determined reasonable and necessary per Local Coverage Determination L35350.
15 Active Policies
A57484, Billing and Coding: Vitamin D Assay Testing
J5
WPS-L34658, Vitamin D Assay Testing
J8
FIRST_COAST-L33771, Vitamin D; 25 hydroxy, includes fraction(s), if performed
J9
A56841, Billing and Coding: Vitamin D; 25 hydroxy, includes fraction(s), if performed
J9
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.