SUPERSEDED LCD Reference Article Article

Testopel Coverage

A55057

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Draft Articles are works in progress and not necessarily a reflection of the current billing and coding practices. Revisions to codes are carefully and thoroughly reviewed and are not intended to change the original intent of the LCD.
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Note History

Contractor Information

Article Information

General Information

Source Article ID
N/A
Article ID
A55057
Original ICD-9 Article ID
Not Applicable
Article Title
Testopel Coverage
Article Type
Article
Original Effective Date
07/12/2016
Revision Effective Date
07/12/2016
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
N/A

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Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

Current Dental Terminology © 2023 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

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CMS National Coverage Policy

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Article Guidance

Article Text
Injectable testosterone pellets (brand name Testopel™) may be covered, by Medicare, for the FDA approved indication, if the service meets all Medicare coverage requirements quoted below verbatim in the Internet Only Manual (IOM) Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (MBPM) Chapter 15, Section 50.4.3.2 MBPM

Injection Method Not Indicated

Medication given by injection (parenterally) is not covered if standard medical practice indicates that the administration of the medication by mouth (orally) is effective and is an accepted or preferred method of administration. For example, the accepted standard of medical practice for the treatment of certain diseases is to initiate therapy with parenteral penicillin and to complete therapy with oral penicillin. Carriers exclude the entire charge for penicillin injections given after the initiation of therapy if oral penicillin is indicated unless there are special medical circumstances that justify additional injections."

The Noridian Contractor Medical Directors (CMDs) believe that the use of this product should be rare since the "accepted method of medical practice" is to administer testosterone transdermally, but there may be reasons that require this injectable medication. Compliance with Medicare requirements is subject to review by the Recovery Auditors.

A submitted claim form must contain the below information.

  • Item 19 or electronic equivalent

  • Enter word "Testopel"

  • Enter drug dosage given (include milligrams delivered only, do not include number of pellets administered)

  • NOTE: Medicare may only cover the number of pellets actually implanted in the patient (maximum of six pellets); wastage is not covered. Use of additional pellets may be paid on appeal if the documentation supports medical necessity as determined by the FDA approved drug label and the service complies with all Medicare requirements as indicated above.

  • Item 24D or electronic equivalent

  • Enter J3490


Response To Comments

Number Comment Response
1
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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 article does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

Code Description

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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 article, 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 article should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.

Code Description

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CPT/HCPCS Codes

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CPT/HCPCS Modifiers

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

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Group 1 Codes

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ICD-10-CM Codes that are Covered

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

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Group 1 Codes

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ICD-10-CM Codes that are Not Covered

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

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ICD-10-PCS Codes

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

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Additional ICD-10 Information

Bill Type Codes

Code Description

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Revenue Codes

Code Description

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Other Coding Information

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

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Group 1 Codes

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Coding Table Information

Excluded CPT/HCPCS Codes - Table Format
Code Descriptor Generic Name Descriptor Brand Name Exclusion Effective Date Exclusion End Date Reason for Exclusion
N/A N/A
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Non-Excluded CPT/HCPCS Ended Codes - Table Format
Code Descriptor Generic Name Descriptor Brand Name Exclusion Effective Date Exclusion End Date Reason for Exclusion
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Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation
07/12/2016 R2 Correction and addition to hyperlink referencing the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual
07/12/2016 R1 Revised the link to the IOM
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Associated Documents

Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2 SAD Determinations
Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2
Related Local Coverage Documents
LCDs
L36569 - Treatment of Males with Low Testosterone
Related National Coverage Documents
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SAD Process URL 1
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SAD Process URL 2
N/A
Statutory Requirements URLs
N/A
Rules and Regulations URLs
N/A
CMS Manual Explanations URLs
N/A
Other URLs
N/A
Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
11/17/2023 07/12/2016 - N/A Currently in Effect View
05/08/2020 07/12/2016 - N/A Superseded View
12/08/2016 07/12/2016 - N/A Superseded View
05/12/2016 07/12/2016 - N/A Superseded You are here
05/12/2016 07/12/2016 - N/A Superseded View
05/10/2016 07/12/2016 - N/A Superseded View

Keywords

  • Testopel
  • Coverage
  • Injection
  • Method
  • Testosterone
  • Pellets