Medicare Blog

why won't medicare pay for procedure code 93978?

by Mrs. Nelda Harris Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

Does 93978 require a radiology code?

Yes 93978 Vascular study Ultrasound General Non-advanced Vascular services, not radiology code but apply copay if done by a radiology/facility provider. These are sometimes billed with a related radiology code that would hit copay. Yes Group 9 Paragraph: Visceral Vascular Studies (93975, 93976, 93978, 93979)

Will Medicare pay for my diagnosis codes?

Any tests ordered must also be linked to the diagnosis code. This information is then directed to your insurance company, Medicare included, so your healthcare provider gets paid for their service. If your healthcare provider does not pick the right diagnosis code, it is possible your insurance plan will not pay for the care you received.

Does Medicare pay for unlisted codes?

Unlisted codes are valid codes and when correctly used need to be reviewed by the payers for determination of coverage. I've never heard that Medicare 'won't pay' for these - I think you're being given incorrect information.

How do I use the CPT codes 78699 and 84999?

Note: Use 78699 to identify: SPECT with Altropane for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Note: Use 84999 to identify: Neuronal Thread Protein (NTP). Note: 88371 and 88372 are non-covered only when used with the 26 modifier. Note: Use 92700 with the GY modifier to identify: Politzer procedure.

image

Does Medicare cover venous duplex ultrasound?

The following is a list of procedures considered reasonable for Medicare reimbursement for the evaluation of new-onset DVT: Duplex scan (93970 or 93971). Doppler waveform analysis including responses to compression and other maneuvers (93965). Impedance plethysmography (93965).

What is the CPT code 93978?

Group 5CodeDescription93976DUPLEX SCAN OF ARTERIAL INFLOW AND VENOUS OUTFLOW OF ABDOMINAL, PELVIC, SCROTAL CONTENTS AND/OR RETROPERITONEAL ORGANS; LIMITED STUDY93978DUPLEX SCAN OF AORTA, INFERIOR VENA CAVA, ILIAC VASCULATURE, OR BYPASS GRAFTS; COMPLETE STUDY2 more rows

What diagnosis will cover Carotid ultrasound?

Your doctor will recommend carotid ultrasound if you have transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or certain types of stroke and may recommend a carotid ultrasound if you have medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke, including: High blood pressure. Diabetes. High cholesterol.

What Medicare codes cover Carotid ultrasound?

CPT CODE 93875, 93880, 93882 – Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Studies, Carotid Doppler | Medicare Payment, Reimbursement, CPT code, ICD, Denial Guidelines.

What ICD-10 codes cover carotid Doppler?

Search ResultsI65.21. Occlusion & stenosis of right carotid artery (93880)I65.22. Occlusion & stenosis of left carotid artery (93880)I65.23. Occlusion & stenosis of bilateral carotid arteries (93880)I65.29. Occlusion & stenosis of unspecified carotid arter (93880)R42. ... R55. ... R26.0. ... R26.1.More items...

What is the CPT code for renal artery ultrasound?

However, the American Medical Association has determined that CPT® code 76770 Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (ie, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation, complete should be billed if the clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, and evaluation of both kidneys and bladder.

Is carotid ultrasound covered by Medicare?

Carotid procedures and testing are covered when Medicare coverage criteria are met. Non-invasive test of carotid function (direct and indirect) is covered when criteria are met. This information is being distributed to you for personal reference.

Is carotid ultrasound covered by insurance?

If you have risk factors, signs, or symptoms of carotid artery disease, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound test to check for it. Some companies sell ultrasound screening. But insurance doesn't pay for these tests because experts don't recommend them.

How do you bill a carotid ultrasound?

For evaluation of carotid arteries, use CPT codes 93880, duplex scan of extracranial arteries, complete bilateral study or 93882, unilateral or limited study.

Is carotid duplex the same as carotid Doppler?

This allows your doctor to see how your blood is moving through your blood vessels. Other names for a carotid ultrasound are: carotid artery Doppler sonography. carotid artery duplex scan.

What is the ICD-10 code for carotid stenosis?

ICD-10 code I65. 2 for Occlusion and stenosis of carotid artery is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the circulatory system .

What is CPT code for carotid Doppler?

CPT code 93880 describes a “complete bilat- eral” study that generally involves cross sectional evaluation of the plaque for morphology and luminal compromise as well as Doppler spectral analysis with velocity measure- ments of the blood flow at several locations.

Document Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

CMS National Coverage Policy

This LCD supplements but does not replace, modify or supersede existing Medicare applicable National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) or payment policy rules and regulations for Duplex Scanning. Federal statute and subsequent Medicare regulations regarding provision and payment for medical services are lengthy. They are not repeated in this LCD.

Coverage Guidance

Arterial inflow and venous outflow of abdominal, pelvic, scrotal contents and/or retroperitoneal organs:

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Article Guidance

This article contains coding and other guidelines that complement the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Non-Invasive Vascular Studies.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

The correct use of an ICD-10-CM code listed below does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in the attached determination.

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.

What happens if your doctor doesn't pick the right diagnosis code?

If your doctor does not pick the right diagnosis code, it is possible your insurance plan will not pay for the care you received. That leaves you paying not only a copay or coinsurance for the test or visit but the full dollar amount.

Why is it important to standardize diagnosis codes?

Standardizing diagnosis codes improves the ability to track health initiatives, monitor health trends, and respond to health threats. 1. The World Health Organization released ICD-10 in 1999. The United States, however, was slow to adopt the most recent codes and did not transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 until October 2015.

Can ICD-10 codes be changed?

It is possible they have used the wrong ICD-10 code. Your doctor may be able to change the diagnosis code to one that gives you the coverage you need. If ICD-10 coding is not the reason for the billing issue, you may need to make an appeal with your insurance company.

When will Medicare pay for a test?

Medicare will make payment only when a service is accepted as effective and proven. Some tests or services are obsolete and have been replaced by more advanced procedures. The tests or procedures may be paid only if the physician who performs them satisfactorily justifies the medical need for the procedure (s).

Is FDA approved CPT code medically reasonable?

It is important to note that the fact that a new service or procedure has been issued a CPT code or is FDA-approved does not, in itself, make the procedure medically reasonable and necessary.

Can I get paid for medical procedures that have not been approved by the FDA?

Program payment, therefore, may not be made for medical procedures and services performed using devices that have not been approved for marketing by the FDA or for those not included in an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trial.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

CMS National Coverage Policy

Section 1833 (e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim. Code of Federal Regulations: 42 CFR, Section 410.32, indicates that diagnostic tests may only be ordered by the treating physician (or other treating practitioner acting within the scope of his or her license and Medicare requirements). 42 CFR, Section 410.33 provides guidelines for independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) including requirements for technician personnel and supervising physicians. CMS Publications: CMS Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 11:.

Article Guidance

This article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy Non-Invasive Vascular Studies L34045. It is the responsibility of the physician/provider to ensure the medical necessity of procedures and to maintain records in the event that records are requested for a post-payment audit. 42 CFR §410.32 indicates that diagnostic tests, to be covered, must be ordered by the practitioner who treats the patient.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

It is the responsibility of the provider to code to the highest level specified in the ICD-10-CM. The correct use of an ICD-10-CM code does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in this determination.

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9