ICD-10 L65.9 is officially defined as "Nonscarring hair loss, unspecified." code L65.9 is referenced in 3 tracked payer policy changes from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, and 1 other payer. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for code L65.9 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield policy 1.01.21 states that active and passive cryotherapy (cold therapy) devices are considered not medically necessary for any indication. The June 18, 2026 annual review left the policy intent unchanged. The January 30, 2026 policy edit removed CPT codes 0662T and 0663T and ICD-10 code L65.9, and removed all scalp cooling information.
Aetna considers chemical hair analysis experimental, investigational or unproven, except for diagnosis of suspected chronic arsenic poisoning, and considers hair analysis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a predictor of developing psychopathological symptoms in childhood experimental, investigational or unproven. Microscopic evaluation of hair structure (trichogram) may be medically necessary as part of the work-up of members with alopecia or abnormal-appearing or abnormally growing hair.
Serum free testosterone (CPT 84402) is medically necessary to distinguish a sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) abnormality from hypogonadism in obese males with symptoms of hypogonadism when total testosterone is low, to diagnose hyperandrogenism in symptomatic females, and in patients with a medical diagnosis that may increase or decrease SHBG levels. It is not medically necessary to diagnose testosterone deficiency in non-obese males with symptoms of hypogonadism, or when performed for screening of asymptomatic patients. Free testosterone should be performed by equilibrium dialysis, and free testosterone measured by an analog method should never be ordered.
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