N26.1 — Atrophy of kidney (terminal)
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.
- For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the claim must report the referring/ordering physician's name and NPI.
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).
- MRA is covered to evaluate blood flow in the internal carotid vessels of the head and neck.
- MRA of peripheral arteries of the lower extremities is covered to determine the presence and extent of peripheral vascular disease and may substitute for conventional angiography (CA).
- MRA is covered for pre-operative evaluation of patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair when it is comparable to CA for determining extent of AAA and evaluating aortoiliac occlusive disease and renal artery pathology necessary for surgical planning.
- MRA of the renal arteries and aortoiliac arteries (in the absence of AAA or aortic dissection) is covered when MRA is expected to avoid CA, physician history/physical and standard assessments are insufficient, and obtaining MRA has a high probability of positively affecting patient management.
12 Active Policies
L35755 — Non-Invasive Abdominal / Visceral Vascular Studies
J05
A57591 — Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Abdominal / Visceral Vascular Studies
J05
L33633 — Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
J06
A56747 — Billing and Coding: Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
J06
A57189
Related Codes
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