S44.52XA — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, left arm, initial encounter
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record, be legible, include appropriate patient identification (e.g., full name, dates of service), and be available to the contractor upon request.
- The medical record must identify the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care.
- The submitted medical record must support the selected diagnosis code(s) and the submitted CPT/HCPCS code must accurately describe the service performed.
- For CPT 97032, document the type of electrical stimulation (including 'manual'/'attended'), area(s) treated, and if used for muscle weakness provide objective strength ratings and functional deficits; if used for pain provide pain rating, pain location, and effect on function.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Regional or local nerve blocks performed as part of an operative procedure (e.g., adjunct to or sole means of regional/local anesthesia for the procedure) are not affected by this non-coverage policy and may be billed as anesthesia for the operative procedure.
- Attended/manual electrical stimulation (CPT 97032) is covered when the qualified professional provides direct 1-on-1 patient contact to apply/manualy adjust stimulation (e.g., direct motor point stimulation, FES/NMES when combined with therapeutic exercise/neuromuscular reeducation/functional activities).
- Non-implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulation delivered via vaginal or anal probes (reportable as CPT 97032) is covered for stress and/or urge urinary incontinence in cognitively intact, motivated patients who have failed a documented 4-week trial of pelvic muscle exercise (PME) training.
- Unattended/supervised electrical stimulation provided as part of a therapy plan of care (HCPCS G0283) is covered for non-wound indications (e.g., TENS, IFC, cyclical muscle stimulation) when used to control pain and/or swelling and when objective/subjective improvement is documented.
- Electromagnetic therapy (HCPCS G0329) is covered for chronic stage III and IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional care as part of a therapy plan of care.
- Unattended electrical stimulation for wound management (HCPCS G0281) is covered for chronic stage III and IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers that have not shown measurable healing after 30 days of conventional care.
20 Active Policies
L34624 — Somatosensory Testing
J05
L34594 — Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography
J05
A57597 — Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing
J05
A57478 — Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography
J05
L35098 — Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography
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