L03.116 — Cellulitis of left lower limb
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- When routine foot care needs to meet one of the exclusions, include the applicable Q modifier on the claim: Q7 for 1 Class A finding, Q8 for 2 Class B findings, and Q9 for 1 Class B plus 2 Class C findings.
- For all foot-care claims report an appropriate foot/toe location modifier (e.g., LT, RT, TA, T1-T9) to identify laterality and specific toe when applicable.
- If a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service is provided on the same day as routine foot care, append modifier -25 to the E/M claim line.
- Total the number of keratotic lesions debrided and select the most appropriate CPT code 11055-11057 based on that total (example: code 11056 for two to four lesions).
Key Coverage Criteria
- Removal of corns and calluses of the feet must be billed using CPT codes 11055-11057 (paring/cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion) and the procedure code that most accurately describes the service performed should be reported.
- Traditional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices, units, and supplies are covered under the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit when they meet DME LCD coverage criteria and medical necessity.
- CPT codes 97597, 97598, and wound debridement codes 11042-11047 may be covered when the medical record documents medical necessity consistent with L37228 Wound Care criteria and Medicare reasonable-and-necessary requirements.
- Incision and drainage (I&D) is covered when medical record documents an abscess, hematoma, seroma or other collection of the skin/subcutaneous/accessory structures requiring drainage with signs/symptoms that justify the procedure (e.g., evidence of infection, frank pus, severe pain, or failure of conservative measures).
- For podiatry (specialty 48), CPT codes 10060, 10061 or 10160 are payable when billed with ICD-10-CM codes L02.611, L02.612 or L98.8 only.
- CPT code 10140 is payable only when billed with the specified ICD-10-CM codes listed in the policy (multiple S- and L- codes for traumatic or specific skin conditions as enumerated).
20 Active Policies
A55909 — Billing and Coding: Wound Care
J05
L37228 — Wound Care
J05
L33619 — Nonvascular Extremity Ultrasound
J06
A56787 — Billing and Coding: Nonvascular Extremity Ultrasound
J06
L33563 — Incision and Drainage (I & D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures
Related Codes
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