Q2026, Injection, radiesse, 0.1 ml
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
Prior Auth Required
Code explicitly requires prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Documentation Required
- All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record, legible, include patient identifiers (e.g., full name, dates of service), and contain the legible signature of the responsible physician or non-physician practitioner to support medical necessity.
- Use diagnosis code Z41.1 (Encounter for cosmetic surgery) for cosmetic procedures and apply GY modifier for statutorily excluded or non-covered services when submitting for denial; include condition code 21 for no-payment non-covered claims as appropriate.
- For removal of breast implants, the medical record must describe the condition supporting implant removal as medically reasonable and necessary.
- For breast reduction, document height, weight, Body Surface Area (BSA), clinical evaluation of macromastia signs/symptoms, prior therapies and responses, operative report with weight removed from each breast, and pathology report with weight from each breast.
- For macromastia, document back/neck/shoulder pain unrelieved by 6 months of conservative analgesia, supportive measures, and physical therapy.
- For gynecomastia, document glandular breast tissue on exam and/or mammography, persistence despite correction of underlying causes, ASPS Grade III or IV classification, exclusion of hormonal causes by labs (TSH, estradiol, prolactin, testosterone, LH), and persistence after 6 months of unsuccessful medical treatment and at least 1 year duration.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Reconstructive surgery is covered for abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, involutional defects, or disease when performed to improve function or approximate normal appearance.
- Removal of breast implant(s) is covered when the medical record documents a condition that makes removal medically reasonable and necessary.
- Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is covered when clinical evaluation documents macromastia with signs/symptoms, height/weight and BSA are recorded, and back/neck/shoulder pain is unrelieved by at least 6 months of conservative treatment, with operative and pathology reports documenting the weight of tissue removed from each breast.
- Mastectomy for gynecomastia is covered when glandular breast tissue consistent with true gynecomastia is documented, Grade III or IV classification (ASPS) is present, hormonal causes have been excluded by appropriate labs, medical treatment has failed for at least 6 months, and gynecomastia has persisted for at least 1 year.
- Rhinoplasty is covered when medical record documents a condition requiring the procedure (including chronic nasal obstruction) with documentation of the cause of obstruction, appropriate diagnostic exams (e.g., anterior rhinoscopy, endoscopy, Cottle maneuver, CT) and prior conservative treatments with duration; septoplasty documentation must include surgical/pathology report when postoperative.
- Rhinoplasty/Septoplasty to correct septal deformity that interferes with effective CPAP use is covered when medical management and duration of conservative therapy are documented showing interference with CPAP for treatment of an obstructive sleep disorder.
20 Active Policies
CGS-L39506, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
J15
A58774, Billing and Coding: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
J5
WPS-L39051, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
J8
A59299, Billing and Coding: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
UHC-POL-injectables-reconstructive-procedures, Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents
AETNA-CPB-0534, Vesicoureteral Reflux Treatment by Endoscopic Injection of Bulking Agents
CIGNA-0511, Injectable Fillers for Head and Neck Conditions
AMBETTER-CP.MP.31, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
SUR716.001, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
BCBSIL-SUR716.001, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
BCBSMT-SUR716.001, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
BCBSNM-SUR716.001, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
BCBSOK-SUR716.001, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
UMR-POL-UMR-injectables-reconstructive-procedures, Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents
SUREST-POL-SUREST-injectables-reconstructive-procedures, Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents
CIGNA-0178, Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy or Lumpectomy
EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA-1815296EE67F, Cigna Comprehensive Code List - Effective 03/07/2026
ANTHEM-MP-A050278, Last Review Date
EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA-57D571603CB4, Cigna Commercial Other Services Code List - Effective 03/07/2026
ANTHEM-CG-SURG-123, CG-SURG-123 Autologous Fat Grafting and Injectable Soft Tissue Fillers
Related Codes
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