S0093 — Injection, morphine sulfate, 500 mg (loading dose for infusion pump)
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
0.00
Facility
N/A
Non-Facility
N/A
Documentation Required
- Diagnosis documentation of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) — clinical diagnosis typically from 'typical unilateral dermatomal pain and rash' and PHN defined in background as 'significant pain or dysaesthesia present 3 months or more following HZ.'
- When billing CPT/HCPCS codes listed as 'covered if selection criteria are met,' documentation must demonstrate that the applicable selection criteria are met (policy: 'CPT codes / HCPCS codes / ICD-10 codes — CPT codes covered if selection criteria are met').
- For use of Qutenza (capsaicin 8% patch): documentation that the patch was applied by a health care professional, the most painful skin areas treated, number of patches used (up to 4), duration of application (60 minutes), and monitoring for at least 1 hour post-application due to blood pressure risk ('Qutenza must be applied to the skin by a health care professional... The patient must also be monitored for at least 1 hour...').
Key Coverage Criteria
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
- Aetna considers the use of antivirals (oral), gabapentin, intrathecal, interlaminar or transforaminal epidural corticosteroids, lidocaine patch, opioids (oral), pregabalin, and tricyclic anti-depressants medically necessary for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
- CPT/HCPCS codes listed in the policy are covered if selection criteria are met (see 'CPT Codes / HCPCS Codes / ICD-10 Codes' section).
- ICD-10 codes B02.21 - B02.29 (Zoster [herpes zoster] with other nervous system involvement) are listed as covered diagnoses if selection criteria are met.
- Inferred: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — multiple citations focus on treatment and prevention of PHN.
- Inferred: Acute herpes zoster (shingles) and zoster-related pain — citations include trials and prevention strategies.
3 Active Policies
AMBETTER-CP.MP.173 — Implantable Intrathecal or Epidural Pain Pump
AETNA-CPB-0712 — Ziconotide (Prialt)
AETNA-CPB-0725 — Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.