Where this LCD applies
Each contract number is a jurisdiction on the remittance; the policy binds claims processed under these contracts and no others.
| Contract | Contractor | Type | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15102 | CGS Administrators, LLC | MAC - Part B | KY |
| 15202 | CGS Administrators, LLC | MAC - Part B | OH |
| 15101 | CGS Administrators, LLC | MAC - Part A | KY |
| 15201 | CGS Administrators, LLC | MAC - Part A | OH |
Billing and coding: diagnoses and procedure codes
Since 2019 the codes live in the companion article rather than the LCD. Billing and Coding A57050 (Billing and Coding: Post-Void Residual Urine and/or Bladder Capacity by Ultrasound) carries the diagnosis and procedure lists the contractor loads as the claims edit. CPT codes are shown as bare numbers because the descriptors are licensed by the AMA; HCPCS Level II descriptors are public and shown.
A57050: Billing and Coding: Post-Void Residual Urine and/or Bladder Capacity by Ultrasound (Billing and Coding, effective 2026-03-26)
- Covered ICD-10-CM codes
- 42
- 1 group
- Non-covered ICD-10-CM codes
- 0
- Procedure codes listed
- 1
- Full article
- cms.gov record
| ICD-10-CM | Description (FY2027) |
|---|---|
| N31.0 | — |
| N31.1 | — |
| N31.2 | — |
| N31.9 | — |
| N32.0 | — |
| N39.3 | — |
| N39.41 | — |
| N39.42 | — |
| N39.43 | — |
| N39.44 | — |
| N39.45 | — |
| N39.46 | — |
| N39.490 | — |
| N39.498 | — |
| N40.1 | — |
| R30.0 | — |
| R30.1 | — |
| R30.9 | — |
| R32 | Unspecified urinary incontinence |
| R33.0 | — |
| R33.8 | — |
| R33.9 | — |
| R34 | Anuria and oliguria |
| R35.0 | — |
Procedure codes: 51798.
Coverage indications, limitations and medical necessity
Abstract:
Post-void residual (PVR) urine volume is the volume of urine in the bladder immediately after the completion of voiding. The standard method of determining PVR urine volumes is intermittent catheterization, which is associated with increased risk of urinary infection, urethral trauma and discomfort for the patient. Bladder ultrasound has been introduced as an alternative, noninvasive method, to avoid the potential complications of intermittent catheterization.
Bladder ultrasound or bladder scan to determine post-void residual urine employs either a standard ultrasound machine or a portable, battery-powered ultrasound device which consists of a hand-held ultrasound transducer (scanhead) and a base unit with a display screen. This unit automatically calculates and displays the bladder volume. This LCD defines Medicare coverage for the test.
Indications:
Bladder scan ultrasonography is utilized to assess post-void urinary bladder retention. It can be an important component in the diagnosis and ongoing management of lower urinary tract dysfunctions, including, but not limited to, urinary incontinence and/or neurogenic bladder.
When ultrasound measurement for post-void residual is the only service clinically indicated and/or rendered, it is inappropriate to report a pelvic ultrasound code (76856 or 76857) instead of, or in addition to, this service. Likewise, if a pelvic ultrasound code is appropriately billed, it is inappropriate to bill separately for the PVR measurement since payment for this has already been included in the payment of the pelvic study.
Limitations:
Routine ultrasound examination of incontinent patients in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities is not warranted. PVR determination is only one component of incontinence evaluation. The patient must be capable of participating in the complete evaluation process and in the treatment plan in order for this testing to be appropriate. The use of ultrasound to measure PVR is not medically necessary if no treatment is planned, regardless of the findings.
The use of both ultrasound and catheterization during the same session to determine PVR is not medically necessary.
Other Comments:
For claims submitted to the Part A MAC: this coverage determination also applies within states outside the primary geographic jurisdiction with facilities that have nominated CGS Administrators to process their claims.
Bill type codes only apply to providers who bill these services to the Part A MAC. Bill type codes do not apply to physicians, other professionals and suppliers who bill these services to the carrier or Part B MAC.
Limitation of liability and refund requirements apply when denials are likely, whether based on medical necessity or other coverage reasons. The provider/supplier must notify the beneficiary in writing, prior to rendering the service, if the provider/supplier is aware that the test, item or procedure may not be covered by Medicare. The limitation of liability and refund requirements do not apply when the test, item or procedure is statutorily excluded, has no Medicare benefit category or is rendered for screening purposes.
For dates of service on or after April 1, 2010, bill type 77X should be used to report FQHC services.
Summary of evidence (opening)
N/A
the full summary and analysis of evidence are in the CMS record.
Dates, lineage and related policies
- Original determination effective
- 2015-10-01
- Current revision effective
- 2026-03-26
- Last reviewed by the contractor
- 2026-03-16
- MCD version
- 18
- Derived from
- L31889
Using this policy on a claim
Match the documented indication to the covered indications above before the service is scheduled, carry a diagnosis from the article's covered list on the claim line, and keep the elements the documentation section asks for in the record, because the contractor can request it later through medical review. A denial under this policy arrives as CARC 50 with remark N115; the LCD lookup guide walks through the appeal path and the Advance Beneficiary Notice rules, and the CGS Administrators, LLC hub lists every other active policy from the same contractor.
Frequently asked questions
What does LCD L34085 cover?
Post-void residual (PVR) urine volume is the volume of urine in the bladder immediately after the completion of voiding. The standard method of determining PVR urine volumes is intermittent catheterization, which is associated with increased risk of urinary infection, urethral trauma and discomfort for the patient. Bladder ultrasound has been introduced as an alternative, noninvasive method, to avoid the potential… The full indications and limitations are reproduced on this page from the CMS Medicare Coverage Database export of September 24, 2026.
Which states does LCD L34085 apply to?
CGS Administrators, LLC applies it to Medicare claims in KY, OH. A Local Coverage Determination binds only the contractor that wrote it; the same service in another jurisdiction is judged under that contractor's own policy or, where none exists, claim by claim.
Which diagnosis codes support medical necessity under LCD L34085?
The companion billing and coding article A57050 lists 42 ICD-10-CM codes in 1 group that support medical necessity; the first 24 appear on this page and the complete list is in the article on cms.gov.
How do I appeal a denial under LCD L34085?
The remittance carries claim adjustment reason code 50 with remark code N115, naming the LCD. Compare the documented indication with the policy's covered indications and the article's diagnosis list, then file a redetermination within 120 days with the record attached; if the service genuinely falls outside the policy, the patient can be billed only when a valid Advance Beneficiary Notice was obtained before the service.
Sources
Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-02. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions.
- Medicare Coverage Database, current LCD exportVersion MCD release 2026-09-24 · effective 2026-09-20 · file lcd.csvSHA-256 2fcc4251b6ddd1eb…
- Medicare Coverage Database, current Billing and Coding Articles exportVersion MCD release 2026-09-24 · effective 2026-09-20 · file article.csvSHA-256 f31932f1df3b4035…
- ICD-10-CM FY2027 code descriptionsVersion FY2027 · effective 2026-10-01 · file icd10cm_codes_2027.txtSHA-256 3c0583a38ee0e848…
Disclaimer
The policy text and code lists are reproduced from the CMS Medicare Coverage Database export as an operational reference. Verify against the current LCD and article on cms.gov before billing; coverage depends on the full record and the contractor. Not legal, clinical or billing advice.