Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

93965 Gets New Supporting ICD-9 Codes

Question: I saw a notice that our LCD for Noninvasive Vascular Testing (L31712) was revised. How has it changed?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: The Palmetto GBA local coverage determination (LCD) you refer to has had multiple revisions since September 2011. Two add ICD-9 codes supporting coverage for a variety of services, while another revision takes CPT® 2012 changes into account.

Effective for dates of service on or after Sept. 1, 2011, the LCD added multiple diagnosis codes supporting noninvasive vascular testing. The LCD pairs specific ICD-9 codes with specific CPT® codes.

For example: The revision adds codes 454.8 (Varicose veins of lower extremities with other complications) and 586 (Renal failure unspecified) to the list of ICD-9 codes supporting these procedure codes:

  • 93965, Noninvasive physiologic studies of extremity veins, complete bilateral study (e.g., Doppler waveform analysis with responses to compression and other maneuvers, phleborheography, impedance plethysmography)
  • 93970, Duplex scan of extremity veins including responses to compression and other maneuvers; complete bilateral study
  • 93971, Duplex scan of extremity veins including responses to compression and other maneuvers; unilateral or limited study.

Another revision, effective for services on or after Nov. 15, 2011, expands the list a bit more by adding 368.10 (Subjective visual disturbance unspecified) to the list of codes that support medical necessity for "Cerebrovascular Arterial Studies codes 93880-93882, 93931."

For dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2012, the LCD removes all references to now deleted code 93875 (Noninvasive physiologic studies of extracranial arteries, complete bilateral study [e.g., periorbital flow direction with arterial compression, ocular pneumoplethysmography, doppler ultrasound spectral analysis]).

You can search for the LCD by entering L31712 in the Quick Search box at www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage- database/ and clicking "Search by ID." On the next page, enter the relevant date of service and click "Search." The search results will then appear.

Helpful: Revisions can be hard to pinpoint, but you should see a list of revisions at the end of the LCD. The list shows a history of the revisions that have taken place over the years so you can identify what changed for each version.

Other Articles in this issue of

Radiology Coding Alert

View All