Q53.111 — Unilateral intraabdominal testis
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.
- 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.
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).
- Medicare may cover injectable testosterone pellets (Testopel) for males when used for an FDA‑approved indication and when the service meets Medicare coverage requirements in CMS Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, §50.4.3.
- Injectable testosterone pellet therapy may be used when alternative accepted routes (transdermal, oral, nasal, intramuscular) are clinically inappropriate or insufficient and medical necessity is documented.
- CT abdomen is medically necessary to evaluate abdominal pain.
- CT abdomen is medically necessary to evaluate known or suspected abdominal masses or fluid collections.
8 Active Policies
CIGNA-0548 — Scrotal Ultrasound - (0548)
UHC-POL-testosterone-replacement-supp-therapy — Testosterone Replacement or Supplementation Therapy
A55336 — Billing and Coding: Retroperitoneal Ultrasound
A56421 — Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
A58828 — Billing and Coding: Treatment of Males with Low Testosterone
Related Codes
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