M84.38XA — Stress fracture, other site, initial encounter for fracture
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
No active coverage policies found for this code (low confidence)
Documentation Required
- A legible medical record must document the condition, clinical findings, relevant prior treatment, and clearly justify the necessity and reasonableness of the lumbar MRI.
- The documentation must clearly support the ICD-10-CM code(s) reported on the claim.
- An attending or treating physician's order, properly signed and dated, is required for each lumbar MRI test.
- Radiologists and ordering physicians must include sufficient clinical information in the MRI report to justify necessity; the MRI report or clinical record must document clinical findings and relevant prior treatment.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Initial lumbar MRI is covered when the test is medically reasonable and necessary and the medical record documents clinical rationale and supports the ICD-10-CM code(s) billed.
- A second lumbar MRI for the same patient is allowable when documentation shows comparative test results are needed to make a more definitive treatment decision.
- Multiple scans of different body areas performed on the same day for the same patient are payable when each scan is reasonable and necessary.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) testing is covered only when reasonable and necessary as defined by Local Coverage Determination L34021.
- ESR performed for rheumatoid arthritis patients to assess the need for medication adjustments should be billed with a diagnosis code that reflects the specific antirheumatic medication the patient is receiving.
- Use ICD-10 codes T39.4X5A–T39.4X5S for ESR billing when the patient with rheumatoid arthritis is receiving antirheumatics such as gold salts for medication evaluation.
20 Active Policies
L39624 — Amniotic and Placental Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound
J05
A59434 — Billing and Coding: Amniotic and Placental-Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound
J05
A58893 — Billing and Coding: Amniotic and Placental-Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound
J06
L39139 — Amniotic and Placental-Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound
J06
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