LCD for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (L1831)

 

Contractor Information

Contractor Name 

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (Riverbend Government Benefits Administrator) 

Contractor Number 

00390 

Contractor Type 

FI 

 

LCD Information

LCD ID Number 

L1831 

 

LCD Title 

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy 

 

Contractor's Determination Number 

L1831 

 

AMA CPT / ADA CDT Copyright Statement 

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2007 American Medical Association (or such other date of publication of CPT). All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Clauses Apply. Current Dental Terminology, (CDT) (including procedure codes, nomenclature, descriptors and other data contained therein) is copyright by the American Dental Association. © 2002, 2004 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.  

 

CMS National Coverage Policy 

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862 (a)(1)(A). This section excludes coverage of items or services that are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862 (a)(7). This section prohibits Medicare payment for any expenses on items and services incurred for routine physical examinations.

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1833 (e). This section prohibits Medicare payment for any claim that lacks the necessary information to process the claim.
 

 

Primary Geographic Jurisdiction 

New Jersey
Tennessee
 

 

Secondary Geographic Jurisdiction 

Alaska
Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
North Carolina
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming
 

 

Oversight Region 

Region IV
 

 

 

Original Determination Effective Date 

For services performed on or after 09/29/2002  

 

Original Determination Ending Date 

 

 

Revision Effective Date 

For services performed on or after 12/09/2005  

 

Revision Ending Date 

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity 

Indications Summary


Wireless Capsule Endoscopy is covered for the investigation of occult GI bleeding which has eluded localization by conventional means (including upper and lower endoscopy), and which is therefore felt to originate in the small intestine. All other uses for this device are Investigational and therefore non-covered.




Wireless Capsule Endoscopy, approved by the FDA August 2001, is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging system that uses a disposable miniature video digital camera contained in a non-biodegradable capsule. The capsule is swallowed to allow painless endoscopic imaging of the entire small bowel to assess patients with intractable gastrointestinal bleeding where the source has not been identified by conventional means.

The diagnostic imaging system is comprised of three components:

 

  • Ingestible Capsule containing a miniature color video camera, a light source, batteries, a miniature radio transmitter, and an antenna. The capsule is propelled by peristalsis, and can provide more than 5 hours of images cross-referenced with localization data.
  • Data Recorder, carried on the belt, receives and stores signals transmitted by the capsule. This allows users to continue about their daily activities during the examination.
  • A computer workstation is needed to perform image and data processing, creating a video that may be viewed by the physician offline.




Indications:

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy is indicated for the diagnosis of occult gastrointestinal bleeding, the site of which has not previously been identified by standard endoscopic exams such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, push enteroscopy or radiologic procedures. It may be especially helpful in the diagnosis of angiodysplasias of the GI tract.


Limitations:

1. This test is payable only for those beneficiaries with documented continuing GI blood loss and anemia secondary to bleeding.

2. Wireless Capsule Endoscopy is not payable unless the patient has undergone upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy within the same spell of illness and they have failed to reveal a source of bleeding.

3. This test is not reimbursable for the confirmation of lesions or pathology normally within the reach of upper or lower endoscopes (lesions proximal to the ligament of Treitz or distal to the ileum).

4. This test is not payable for patients with hematemesis.

5. This test is not reimbursable for colorectal cancer screening.

6. The test is payable only for services using FDA approved devices.

7. The test is reimbursable only when ordered, performed and interpreted by a gastroenterologist.

8. Wireless capsule endoscopy is contraindicated to anyone known or suspected of having intestinal obstructions, including problems with fistulas or strictures, due to the possibility of pill entrapment.

9. Wireless Capsule Endoscopy used to evaluate a possible diagnosis of Crohn's disease, celiac disease, intestinal tumors, or any other GI diagnosis will be non-covered as E&I in the absence of occult GI bleeding.


 

 

Coverage Topic 

Diagnostic Tests and X-Rays
 

 

Coding Information

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 policy does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the policy should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

13x

Hospital-outpatient (HHA-A also) (under OPPS 13X must be used for ASC claims submitted for OPPS payment -- eff. 7/00)

85x

Special facility or ASC surgery-rural primary care hospital (eff 10/94)

 

 

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 policy services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination. Complete absence of all Revenue Codes indicates that coverage is not influenced by Revenue Code and the policy should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.

 

0320

Radiology diagnostic-general classification

0329

Radiology diagnostic-other

 

 

CPT/HCPCS Codes 

 

91110

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IMAGING, INTRALUMINAL (EG, CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY), ESOPHAGUS THROUGH ILEUM, WITH PHYSICIAN INTERPRETATION AND REPORT

 

 

ICD-9 Codes that Support Medical Necessity 

 

555.0

REGIONAL ENTERITIS OF SMALL INTESTINE

555.2

REGIONAL ENTERITIS OF SMALL INTESTINE WITH LARGE INTESTINE

557.0

ACUTE VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY OF INTESTINE

557.1

CHRONIC VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY OF INTESTINE

557.9

UNSPECIFIED VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY OF INTESTINE

558.1

GASTROENTERITIS AND COLITIS DUE TO RADIATION

558.2

TOXIC GASTROENTERITIS AND COLITIS

558.9

OTHER AND UNSPECIFIED NONINFECTIOUS GASTROENTERITIS AND COLITIS

562.02

DIVERTICULOSIS OF SMALL INTESTINE WITH HEMORRHAGE

562.03

DIVERTICULITIS OF SMALL INTESTINE WITH HEMORRHAGE

569.85

ANGIODYSPLASIA OF INTESTINE WITH HEMORRHAGE

Secondary Diagnoses to above Primary Diagnoses

280.0

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA SECONDARY TO BLOOD LOSS (CHRONIC)

578.1

BLOOD IN STOOL

578.9

HEMORRHAGE OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT UNSPECIFIED

792.1

NONSPECIFIC ABNORMAL FINDINGS IN STOOL CONTENTS

 

 

Diagnoses that Support Medical Necessity 

 

 

ICD-9 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity 

 

 

 

 

ICD-9 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity Asterisk Explanation 

 

 

Diagnoses that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity 

 

 

General Information

Documentation Requirements 

The medical record must be available upon request, and should include:


1. Documents to support medical necessity

2. ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes

3. Narrative notes documenting need for the test

4. Reports of previous negative upper and lower endoscopies performed during the current spell of illness

5. Documents indicating presence of gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia secondary to blood loss

6. Documents supporting service was rendered to completion

7. Review of the images and physician interpretation (report)

 

 

Appendices 

LINK TO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (COMMENTS) ABOUT THIS
POLICY:

Frequently Asked Questions


 

 

Utilization Guidelines 

 

 

Sources of Information and Basis for Decision 

"Wireless Capsule Endoscopy" M-57 Empire Carrier policy

Carts-Powell, Yvonne. "Tiny Camera in a Pill Extends Limits of Endoscopy". OE Reports, Technology and Trends for the International Optical Engineering Community. Num 200, August '00

Appleyard M, Glukhovsky A, Swain P. Wireless-Capsule Diagnostic Endoscopy For Recurrent Small-Bowel Bleeding. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2001; 344:232-3.

Appleyard, et al, Gastroenterology 119:1431-1438 (2000)

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH publication. No.01-4552 at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/ddnews/win01/5.htm 

 

Advisory Committee Meeting Notes 

Public Open Meeting to discuss the draft policy was held 07/09/2002.

This policy does not reflect the sole opinion of the contractor or contractor medical director. Although the final decision rests with the contractor, this policy was developed in cooperation with advisory groups, which includes representatives from gastroenterology as well as provider (facility) representatives. 

 

Start Date of Comment Period 

06/05/2002 

 

End Date of Comment Period 

07/20/2002 

 

Start Date of Notice Period 

08/13/2002 

 

Revision History Number 

L1831a 

 

Revision History Explanation 

This LCD was converted from an LMRP on 12/8/2005

7/2/2006 - The description for Bill code 14 was changed

10/30/2007 - Frequently Asked Questions restored to Appendices 

 

Reason for Change 

Other
 

Last Reviewed On Date 

10/30/2007 

 

Related Documents 

Article(s)
A37942 - Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

 

LCD Attachments 

FAQ - Comment and Response (6,943 bytes)

 

Other Versions 

Updated on 09/05/2006 with effective dates 12/09/2005 - N/A

Updated on 07/02/2006 with effective dates 12/09/2005 - N/A

Updated on 12/08/2005 with effective dates 12/09/2005 - N/A

Updated on 12/08/2005 with effective dates 09/29/2002 - 12/08/2005

Updated on 10/15/2003 with effective dates 09/29/2002 - N/A

Updated on 09/22/2003 with effective dates 09/29/2002 - N/A

Updated on 03/11/2003 with effective dates 09/29/2002 - N/A

Updated on 10/04/2002 with effective dates 09/29/2002 - N/A