T88.8XXA — Other specified complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified, initial encounter
ICD-10-CM
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- The medical record must contain relevant medical history, physical examination, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests that fully support the medical necessity of each non-invasive vascular study.
- Diagnostic tests must be ordered by the treating practitioner (or consulting physician) who will use the test results in managing the patient's specific medical problem; the ordering practitioner's name and NPI must be reported on the claim when required.
- Providers of interpretations and technical personnel must maintain documentation of training, licensure, certification, and proficiency for post-payment audit; IDTF supervising physicians must document proficiency in each diagnostic procedure performed.
- For diagnostic tests, report the test result if known; if not known, report the symptoms prompting the test on the claim.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Non-invasive vascular studies (duplex scan, physiologic studies, plethysmography, transcranial Doppler) are covered when ordered by the treating or consulting practitioner and medically necessary to evaluate, diagnose, or manage vascular disease.
- Initial autogenous access vessel mapping should be billed with HCPCS codes 93985 or 93986 and is covered when medically necessary for surgical planning.
- Subsequent autogenous access mapping may be billed with CPT codes 93970 or 93971 when clinically indicated.
- Pre-surgical radial artery conduit mapping may be performed and accompanied by vein-mapping when either study shows insufficient conduits for multiple bypass procedures.
- Immediate post-operative studies of an access or bypass site are covered if pulses are lost, become equivocal, or the patient develops signs or symptoms of ischemia suggesting need for repeat intervention.
- Incision and drainage (I&D) is covered when medical record documents an abscess, hematoma, seroma or other collection of the skin/subcutaneous/accessory structures requiring drainage with signs/symptoms that justify the procedure (e.g., evidence of infection, frank pus, severe pain, or failure of conservative measures).
20 Active Policies
A56766 — Billing and Coding: Incision and Drainage (I&D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures
J06
A56758 — Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
J06
L33627 — Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
J06
L33563 — Incision and Drainage (I & D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures
J06
Related Codes
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