R40.2421 — Glasgow coma scale score 9-12, in the field [EMT or ambulance]
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- This article provides billing/coding guidelines that complement Local Coverage Determination L34417 for CT of the head; consult LCD L34417 for specific coverage, coding, and documentation requirements.
- Medical necessity for each test must be documented in the patient's medical record as required by LCD L35006.
- All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record and made available to the contractor upon request; every page must be legible and include patient identification and dates of service.
- Documentation must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care to the patient.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Urine drug testing (UDT) and drugs-of-abuse testing are covered when reasonable and necessary per LCD L35006 and ordered on an individual patient basis by the treating clinician with medical-record documentation of medical necessity.
- Patients with a documented diagnosis consistent with substance use disorder (SUD) may qualify for an exception to the standard presumptive UDT annual limits.
- Coverage indications for somatosensory testing follow the Local Coverage Determination L34433; this article provides billing and coding guidance only.
- Cranial CT (with or without contrast) is covered when the patient has clinical evidence of an intracranial disorder or an established intracranial disorder/disease.
- Contrast-enhanced CT is reasonable and necessary to assess cerebral perfusion, for example in suspected or known cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
- Contrast-enhanced CT is covered to characterize a specific intracranial lesion.
6 Active Policies
A56645 — Billing and Coding: Controlled Substance Monitoring and Drugs of Abuse Testing
J12
L35006 — Controlled Substance Monitoring and Drugs of Abuse Testing
J12
A56612 — Billing and Coding: CT of the Head
A56769 — Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing
L34417 — CT of the Head
Related Codes
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