Does M46.04 require prior authorization?

No, M46.04 does not require prior authorization (medium confidence). Covered without prior authorization by at least one policy, though another does not cover it.

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`M46.04`, Spinal enthesopathy, thoracic region

ICD-10-CM

Prior Authorization

No Prior Auth Required

Covered without prior authorization by at least one policy, though another does not cover it (medium confidence)

Documentation Required

For multiple injection sites, the record must document the reason for injecting each site and substantiate that all injections were reasonable and necessary.
The medical record must document medical necessity including relevant history, physical exam, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests or procedures supporting the indication for the injection.
The procedure note must be legible and include techniques used, site(s) of injection, drugs with doses/volumes/concentrations, and pre- and post-procedural pain assessments.
When a referring/ordering physician is required, the referring/ordering physician's name and NPI must be reported on the claim; claims without a valid ICD-10-CM diagnosis code will be returned as incomplete.

Key Coverage Criteria

Injection into tendon sheaths, ligaments, ganglion cysts, carpal tunnel, or tarsal tunnel is covered when medically necessary to diagnose or treat local pain and the medical record documents the clinical reason for the injection at each site.
Diagnostic injections to identify a painful structure are covered when performed no sooner than one week (preferably two) apart and limited to no more than two injections in the diagnostic phase.
Therapeutic injections are covered when a patient had diagnostic injections demonstrating initial pain relief of ≥75–100% with return of function and maintains ≥50% pain relief and functional improvement for at least six weeks.
CPT 97032 (attended/manual electrical stimulation) is covered when delivered with direct 1-on-1 contact by qualified personnel (examples: direct motor point stimulation; FES/NMES when performed with therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, or functional activities).
CPT 97032 may be billed for the application, instruction, and adjustment of a TENS unit or other probe-based stimulation (including determining trigger points) when provided as an attended/manual modality.
Non-implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulation (97032 for probes; G0283 for electrode-based delivery) is covered for treatment of 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.

15 Active Policies

A59434, Billing and Coding: Amniotic and Placental-Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound

A58893, Billing and Coding: Amniotic and Placental-Derived Product Injections and/or Applications for Musculoskeletal Indications, Non-Wound

A52863, Billing and Coding: Pain Management - injection of tendon sheaths, ligaments, ganglion cysts, carpal and tarsal tunnels

NGS-J6-L33622, Pain Management - Injection of tendon sheaths, ligaments, ganglion cysts, carpal and tarsal tunnels

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M46.04, Spinal enthesopathy, thoracic region