Q42.8 — Congenital absence, atresia and stenosis of other parts of large intestine
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- This billing and coding article provides guidelines that complement Local Coverage Determination L34415 for CT of the abdomen and pelvis; consult LCD L34415 for specific coverage indications, limitations, and documentation requirements.
- All services ordered or rendered must be signed and dated in the medical record, including a signed and dated office visit record or operative report.
- An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, should be signed by the beneficiary when applicable to indicate acceptance of financial responsibility.
- The patient's medical record must include the ordering provider's assessment as it relates to the patient's complaint for that visit.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy/proctosigmoidoscopy is covered for surveillance of colonic neoplasia in patients with a history of colorectal cancer or colonic polyps.
- A follow-up procedure is covered 1 year after surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer when the patient is identified as high-risk for colon cancer and is eligible for continued screenings.
- A colonoscopy may be billed when a sigmoidoscope is used only if the bowel is sufficiently short that the entire colon can be examined and this fact is clearly documented in the clinical record.
- An incomplete colonoscopy (inability to advance the colonoscope to the cecum or colon‑small intestine anastomosis due to unforeseen circumstances) is billed using codes 44388, 45378, G0105 or G0121 with modifier -53.
- When the colonoscopy procedure is unusual or difficult, report modifier -22 (unusual procedural services) on the claim.
- A follow-on screening colonoscopy after a Medicare-covered non-invasive stool-based CRC screening test that is positive is included in a Complete Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening and should be billed as such with modifier -KX to confirm clinical requirements are met.
10 Active Policies
A57343 — Billing and Coding: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Colonoscopy
A56421 — Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
A56456 — Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy
A56632 — Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy
A57342 — Billing and Coding: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Colonoscopy
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.