Medical Policy

Effective Date:12/08/2010 Title:Abdominoplasty
Revision Date: Document:BI284:00
CPT Code(s):15830, 15847, 15877
Public Statement

Effective Date:

a)    This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above revision date which will become the new effective date.

b)    For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply.

 

Abdominoplasty, Panniculectomy and suction Lipectomy are generally not covered services.

Medical Statement
  1. Paniculectomy is considered medically necessary according to the following criteria:
    1. Panniculus hangs below the level of the pubis; and
    2. The medical records document that the panniculus causes chronic intertrigo (dermatitis occurring on opposed surfaces of the skin, skin irritation, infection or chafing) that consistently recurs over 3 months while receiving appropriate medical therapy, or remains refractory to appropriate medical therapy over a period of 3 months. and
    3. It has not resulted from non-covered surgical weight loss treatments.
      Paniculectomy is considered cosmetic when above criteria are not met.

 

Codes Used In This BI:

15830

Exc skin abd

15847

Exc skin abd add-on

15877

Suction assisted lipectomy

Limits
  1. Repair of a diastasis recti, defined as a thinning out of the anterior abdominal wall fascia, is not considered medically necessary because, according to the clinical literature, it does not represent a "true" hernia and is of no clinical significance.
  2. Abdominoplasty, suction lipectomy, or lipoabdominoplasty are considered cosmetic.
Reference
Intentially left empty
Application to Products
This policy applies to all health plans administered by QualChoice, both those insured by QualChoice and those that are self-funded by the sponsoring employer, unless there is indication in this policy otherwise or a stated exclusion in your medical plan booklet. Consult the individual plan sponsor Summary Plan Description (SPD) for self-insured plans or the specific Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for those plans insured by QualChoice. In the event of a discrepancy between this policy and a self-insured customer’s SPD or the specific QualChoice EOC, the SPD or EOC, as applicable, will prevail. State and federal mandates will be followed as they apply.

Changes: QualChoice reserves the right to alter, amend, change or supplement benefit interpretations as needed.