1.0 CPT CODES
19160 - 19240, 19340 - 19499
(For post-mastectomy reconstruction surgery)
19316, 19318, 19324 - 19325
(For contralateral symmetry surgery)
3.0 POLICY
3.1 Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction
is covered when following a medically necessary mastectomy.
3.2 Payment may be made for contralateral
symmetry surgery (i.e., reduction mammoplasty, augmentation mammaplasty,
or mastopexy performed on the other breast to bring it into symmetry
with the post-mastectomy reconstructed breast).
Note: Services related to the augmentation,
reduction, or mastopexy of the contralateral breast in post-mastectomy
reconstructive breast surgery are not subject to the regulatory
exclusion for mammaplasties performed primarily for reasons of cosmesis.
3.3 Treatment of complications
following reconstruction (including implant removal) regardless
of when the reconstruction was performed, and complications that
may result following symmetry surgery, removal and reinsertion of
implants are covered. See
Chapter 4, Section 5.5.
3.4 External surgical garments/mastectomy
bras (those specifically designed as an integral part of an external
prosthesis) are considered medical supply items and are covered
in lieu of reconstructive breast surgery or when reconstruction
surgery has failed.
Note: Benefits are subject to two
initial external surgical garments/mastectomy bras and two replacement external
surgical garments/mastectomy bras per calendar year.
3.5 Breast prosthesis is limited
to the first initial device per missing body part. Requests for
replacements are subject to medical review to determine reason for
replacement.
3.6 United
States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved implant
material and customized external breast prostheses are covered.
3.7 Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) to detect implant rupture is covered if the implantation procedure
was, or would have been covered by TRICARE (e.g., was related to
a covered mastectomy and reconstruction and not a solely cosmetic
procedure).
3.8 Acellular
allograft is a covered benefit, effective July 8, 2008, when used
in a covered breast reconstruction surgery for women who have any
of the following indications:
3.8.1 Have insufficient tissue expander
or implant coverage by the pectoralis major muscle and additional coverage
is required; or
3.8.2 There
is viable, but compromised or thin post-mastectomy skin flaps that
are at risk of dehiscence or necrosis; or
3.8.3 The infra-mammary fold and
lateral mammary folds have been undermined during mastectomy and re-establishment
of these landmarks are needed.