Does M79.639 require prior authorization?

No, M79.639 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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`M79.639`, Pain in unspecified forearm

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

Claims and coding must follow the Local Coverage Determination L37642 that this article complements; medical record documentation should support the billed service in accordance with LCD L37642.
All documentation must be maintained in the patient’s medical record and be legible with appropriate patient identification (e.g., complete name, dates of service) on every page.
The record must identify the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care to the patient.
The submitted medical record must support the selected diagnosis code(s) and the submitted CPT/HCPCS code must accurately describe the service performed.

Key Coverage Criteria

CPT 64450 is appropriate when a qualified health care professional performs a direct injection (nerve block) of an anesthetic agent and/or steroid into a peripheral nerve for treatment of peripheral neuropathy.
Code 64450 addresses the additional work of performing a nerve block (direct peripheral nerve injection) rather than injections into surrounding subcutaneous tissue.
Duplex scanning is covered only when it meets the reasonable and necessary requirements specified in Local Coverage Determination L33674.
No specific clinical indications are provided in this billing and coding article; coverage criteria for amniotic and placental-derived product injections/applications for musculoskeletal non-wound indications are described in Local Coverage Determination L39116.
Coverage for amniotic and placental-derived product injections/applications for musculoskeletal, non-wound indications is determined by Local Coverage Determination L39139; consult LCD L39139 for specific clinical indications and thresholds.
Coverage applies when the amniotic or placental-derived product injection/application meets the reasonable and necessary requirements of Local Coverage Determination L39877.

10 Active Policies

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

A57589, Billing and Coding: Nerve Blocks for Peripheral Neuropathy

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

FIRST_COAST-L33674, Duplex Scanning

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M79.639, Pain in unspecified forearm