Electrolysis CPT Code

[sarahla]

Does anyone know what the CPT code (U.S.) is for electrolysis for M2F gender reassignment surgery?

I am going through the pre-authorization process.

[jfong]

Try 17380

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[sarahla]

Thanks!

I did a reverse Google lookup on the code you provided and see this http://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/CPT?p=classes&conceptid=17380, among others.

The code is:

Surgery | Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System | Other Procedures on the Integumentary System | Electrolysis epilation

I had to look up the word Integumentary System. In laywoman's term, the translation is "skin". That means that 17380 means "electrolysis on the skin". Surgery, well, spraying liquid nitrogen on the skin is a surgery. By this definition, I can submit a 17380 for electrolysis on hair on my back, thighs, face, or anywhere else.

There is nothing in the 17380 CPT code that says "GRS".

Since insurance companies do not pay for electrolysis as a general rule, but do pay for electrolysis with respect to GRS, what will tell the insurance company, Blue Shield of California in this case, that 17380 is for GRS? Since my physician wants only a single code and the form presumably does not have a space to write explanations, what keys the insurance company into GRS?

Is the CPT code used possibly with an ICD code 302.85 (gender dysphoria), although even there that does not say "genital electrolysis in preparation for gender reassignment surgery in M2F individuals".

[sarahla]

I PAINED with my electrologists last night, but got the information that I wanted. By the way, nothing says masochist like having 2 electrologists working on your back at the same time, one with the blend and the other with thermolosis, each trying to outdo the other for an hour, really 90 minutes.

Anyways:

The CPT code, 17380, provided in this posts answer is correct.

The pre-authorization must also include 2 ICD (ICD-9-CM) codes

308.25 Gender role disorder
V.49.89 Transgender

Somehow through magic the insurance company will know that "electrolysis for transgender patients" means electrolysis for GCS/SRS.

Thanks! Now off to Blue Shield.

[I Am Jess]

I don't remember which code I used when I submitted my electrolysis reimbursement request but I got a response back saying that my lady was not an approved provider. I had to appeal the denial and when they took to long I appealed to my states insurance regulators. I have Anthem Blue Cross. I finally got my reimbursement.

[Artesia]

My Anthem Blue Cross auto declines it

[Michelle_P]

I'm pretty sure most insurers auto-decline EVERYTHING. Did you know that the actual job title of the nice person that processes your claim is "loss mitigation specialist?"

With insurers it pays to develop a tough skin and immediately re-file a denied claim. There is a state agency for insurance companies that usually has a customer grievance or advocacy office (unless totally in the insurers pocket), and if the re-filed claim gets denied, file a complaint and snail mail a copy of the complaint and denied claim to the corporate VP running the
Medical Insurance unit. They often have a "make it go away" desk.

Always keep copies of the claims and rejections. I scan them into a computer and generate hard copies as needed. Each piece of correspondence gets all the older filings, letters and rejections attached to it for their convenience and a not so subtle reminder that you do have a record and are being diligent.

Oh, and be diligent about this. [emoji6]

Trust me, being obnoxiously persistent pays off. It's how I roll. [emoji2]


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[Maybebaby56]

The CPT code, 17380, provided in this posts answer is correct.

The pre-authorization must also include 2 ICD (ICD-9-CM) codes

308.25 Gender role disorder
V.49.89 Transgender

Somehow through magic the insurance company will know that "electrolysis for transgender patients" means electrolysis for GCS/SRS.

Thanks! Now off to Blue Shield.

Thank you for this, Sarah. You prompted me to contact my insurer (Aetna) for the $$$ I have spent on genital electrolysis.

Small note:  The 2016 ICD-9-CM code for gender identity "disorder" is 302.85, not 308.25.  The 2017 ICD-10-CM code is now F64.0. The "V.49.89 Transgender" I couldn't find anywhere.  Can you help?

I'm pretty sure most insurers auto-decline EVERYTHING. Did you know that the actual job title of the nice person that processes your claim is "loss mitigation specialist?"

With insurers it pays to develop a tough skin and immediately re-file a denied claim. There is a state agency for insurance companies that usually has a customer grievance or advocacy office (unless totally in the insurers pocket), and if the re-filed claim gets denied, file a complaint and snail mail a copy of the complaint and denied claim to the corporate VP running the Medical Insurance unit. They often have a "make it go away" desk.

Always keep copies of the claims and rejections. I scan them into a computer and generate hard copies as needed. Each piece of correspondence gets all the older filings, letters and rejections attached to it for their convenience and a not so subtle reminder that you do have a record and are being diligent.

Oh, and be diligent about this. [emoji6]

Trust me, being obnoxiously persistent pays off. It's how I roll. [emoji2]

Great advice, Michelle. You're a smart girl!

~Terri

[sarahla]

Thank you.

(A slightly off topic, but is there a way to get notified of a response to a post that I either created or a reply to a post that I made on someone else's topic? Right now I have to come back to the page and refresh the page to see if any updates. That is a bit annoying.)

[Dena]

Not sure this is the answer you are after but on the top left of the screen there is "Show new replies to your posts" which will tell you of threads you posted to that have been active after that. Unfortunately the box on the right takes you to the last post in the thread. You have to backup in the thread until you find your post then work your way forward. The recent topics list works differently in that the box on the right gives you unread posts.

[Artesia]

I was wondering if there was a way to get the face done?  I can't afford it by myself, and am not planning on surgery at the moment, but I want the facial hair gone, it's my biggest hate on my own face.  Shaving just doesn't cut it, well it cut's it, it just doesn't make me feel better as I can still see it.  stupid beard.

[AlyssaJ]

Just out of curiosity, did your insurance tell you they cover electrolysis?  I ask only because I too have a plan through Anthem BCBS and the Gender Reassignment Services policy they sent me specifically listed Hair Removal by Electrolysis, Laser or Wax/Transplant as a cosmetic service not covered.  I'm just curious if you have better coverage than I do or if you found a way around this limitation.

[Artesia]

Just out of curiosity, did your insurance tell you they cover electrolysis?  I ask only because I too have a plan through Anthem BCBS and the Gender Reassignment Services policy they sent me specifically listed Hair Removal by Electrolysis, Laser or Wax/Transplant as a cosmetic service not covered.  I'm just curious if you have better coverage than I do or if you found a way around this limitation.

Depends on the plan.  My company sets the plan, and chooses the options allowed.  Mine used to not allow it, and then did allow it, and now I'm not so sure anymore.

[I Am Jess]

Just out of curiosity, did your insurance tell you they cover electrolysis?  I ask only because I too have a plan through Anthem BCBS and the Gender Reassignment Services policy they sent me specifically listed Hair Removal by Electrolysis, Laser or Wax/Transplant as a cosmetic service not covered.  I'm just curious if you have better coverage than I do or if you found a way around this limitation.

For me, general electrolysis is excluded as being cosmetic but genital electrolysis was covered as being necessary as a part of GCS. 

[RavenMoon]

Surgery, well, spraying liquid nitrogen on the skin is a surgery.

Who sprays liquid nitrogen on their skin???
That would freeze it so badly you would kill the tissue.

That's not what electrolysis is.


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[Yumistar]

Ok so after a lot of time and struggle being on phone with Insurance and provider I have found the following codes that need to be sent in with a predetermination form CPT - 17380 along with ICD-10-CM F64.8 & F64.9 I will update and let you all know if this works and I get approved or not.

[ainsley]

Ok so after a lot of time and struggle being on phone with Insurance and provider I have found the following codes that need to be sent in with a predetermination form CPT - 17380 along with ICD-10-CM F64.8 & F64.9 I will update and let you all know if this works and I get approved or not.

CPT-17380 & Diagnosis Code F64.9 worked for my insurance claim and they reimbursed me.