L98.6 — Other infiltrative disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The medical record must include the ordering/provider assessment related to the patient's complaint, relevant medical history, results of pertinent tests/procedures, and a signed and dated office visit record or operative report.
- For Group 2 ICD-10-CM and Group 2 CPT codes, documentation must include visual field results and/or photographs supporting functional impairment.
- For induction of visually compromising dermatochalasis by ptosis repair with large levator aponeurosis dehiscence, documentation must show the dehiscence and an operative note indicating skin excess after ptosis repair and necessity of blepharoplasty.
- When a referring/ordering physician is required, the claim must report the referring/ordering physician's name and NPI; diagnostic test claims should report the test result or the symptoms prompting the test if the result is unknown.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Blepharoplasty is covered when medical necessity is documented in the medical record, including relevant history, physical exam, and diagnostic test results that support the procedure per the applicable LCD.
- For Group 2 ICD-10-CM/CPT codes, coverage requires documentation of visual field testing results and/or photographs demonstrating functional visual impairment from eyelid pathology.
- Blepharoplasty may be covered when visually compromising dermatochalasis is induced by ptosis repair in patients with large levator aponeurosis dehiscence if documentation shows the dehiscence and an operative note documents residual skin excess after ptosis repair that makes blepharoplasty necessary.
- Excision of a benign skin lesion is covered when there is clinical suspicion of malignancy (e.g., ICD-10-CM D48.5) documented in the medical record.
- Removal is covered to address disturbance of skin sensation when documented (ICD-10-CM R20.0-R20.3, R20.8).
- Removal is covered when documented objective changes (e.g., increase in size) support a diagnosis warranting excision.
6 Active Policies
A57482 — Billing and Coding: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions
J05
L35498 — Removal of Benign Skin Lesions
J05
A56439 — Billing and Coding: Blepharoplasty
A57044 — Billing and Coding: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions
L34200 — Removal of Benign Skin Lesions
Related Codes
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