L97.129 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh with unspecified severity
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The final report must include an impression or summary statement, a specific or differential diagnosis if appropriate, and recommendations for follow-up when clinically applicable.
- All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record, be legible, include patient identification and dates of service, and be available to the contractor upon request.
- The medical record must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing care.
- The submitted medical record must support the selected ICD-10-CM code(s) and the submitted CPT/HCPCS code must accurately describe the service performed.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Doppler ultrasound (peripheral venous ultrasound) is the standard preoperative test to evaluate venous reflux in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.
- CPT 93971 should be used to report either a limited bilateral duplex scan or a complete unilateral duplex scan for peripheral venous reflux evaluation.
- Non-invasive vascular studies (duplex scan, physiologic studies, plethysmography, transcranial Doppler) are covered when ordered by the treating or consulting practitioner and medically necessary to evaluate, diagnose, or manage vascular disease.
- Initial autogenous access vessel mapping should be billed with HCPCS codes 93985 or 93986 and is covered when medically necessary for surgical planning.
- Subsequent autogenous access mapping may be billed with CPT codes 93970 or 93971 when clinically indicated.
- Pre-surgical radial artery conduit mapping may be performed and accompanied by vein-mapping when either study shows insufficient conduits for multiple bypass procedures.
6 Active Policies
A56758 — Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
J06
L33627 — Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
J06
A57125 — Billing and Coding: Peripheral Venous Ultrasound
J09
L33693 — Peripheral Venous Ultrasound
J09
A52993 — Billing and Coding: Peripheral Venous Ultrasound
Related Codes
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