L98.7 Insurance Policy Changes

ICD-10 L98.7 is officially defined as "Excessive and redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue." code L98.7 is referenced in 4 tracked payer policy changes from Independence Blue Cross and Aetna. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for code L98.7 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Independence Blue Cross · Effective Dec 29, 2025High impact
MA11.073f, Panniculectomy, Abdominoplasty, Abdominal Lipectomy, and Other Excisions of Redundant Skin
Independence Blue Cross updated MA11.073f to reduce the post-bariatric surgery waiting period from 24 to 18 months for panniculectomy and abdominal lipectomy, removed chronic pain as a required indication, added abdominoplasty as medically necessary when performed with panniculectomy/abdominal lipectomy, and revised ICD-10 diagnosis code requirements. Billing teams must update documentation requirements and diagnosis code validation rules effective 12/29/2025.
Independence Blue Cross · Effective Dec 29, 2025Medium impact
MA11.073f, Panniculectomy, Abdominoplasty, Abdominal Lipectomy, and Other Excisions of Redundant Skin
Independence Blue Cross reissued MA11.073f on 10/28/2026 with no changes to the current policy, which has been effective since 12/29/2025. Key prior changes (effective 12/29/2025) include: bariatric surgery waiting period reduced from 24 to 18 months, chronic pain removed as a required indication for panniculectomy/abdominal lipectomy, abdominoplasty now covered when performed with panniculectomy or abdominal lipectomy, and ICD-10 diagnosis codes updated with five specific codes now listed as medically necessary. Billing teams should verify current applicability of the 12/29/2025 policy changes if not yet implemented.
Aetna · Identified Sep 29, 2026Medium impact
Abdominoplasty, Suction Lipectomy, and Ventral Hernia Repair (CPB 0211, reviewed 2026-08-18)
Aetna considers panniculectomy or apronectomy medically necessary when the panniculus hangs below the pubis on high-quality color photographs, the medical records show chronic intertrigo that recurs over 3 months or stays refractory to 3 months of appropriate therapy, and weights have been stable for the most recent 3 months; for bariatric patients, at least 12 months must have elapsed since the bariatric plateau. Repair of a true incisional or ventral hernia is considered medically necessary, and component separation is considered a medically necessary adjunct when a ventral hernia is larger than 10 cm in any direction, involves loss of domain, is 7 to 10 cm wide with a width to rectus abdominis width ratio of 2 or more, is complex with tissue loss, or follows prior failed repairs. Liposuction, lipectomy and excision of excessive skin are considered medically necessary for lipedema of the extremities after pain and disability persist despite 3 months or more of conservative management, and suction lipectomy of the trunk is considered medically necessary for lipedema when the specified pain, functional impairment and conservative-treatment criteria are met. Abdominoplasty, lipoabdominoplasty, suction lipectomy for indications other than lipedema and lymphedema, and panniculectomy that does not meet the criteria are considered cosmetic, repair of diastasis recti is considered not medically necessary, and several ventral hernia techniques, including enhanced-view totally extra-peritoneal repair, TAPPRA and peritoneal flap hernioplasty, are considered experimental, investigational or unproven.
Aetna · Identified Aug 12, 2026Medium impact
Abdominoplasty, Suction Lipectomy, and Ventral Hernia Repair (CPB 0211, reviewed 2026-03-26)
Aetna considers panniculectomy or apronectomy medically necessary only when the panniculus hangs below the level of the pubis on high-quality photographs, the panniculus causes chronic intertrigo that recurs over 3 months while receiving appropriate medical therapy or stays refractory to it for 3 months, and the member's weight has been stable for the most recent 3 months, with at least 12 months elapsed since the bariatric plateau for bariatric recipients. Aetna considers repair of a true incisional or ventral hernia medically necessary, and considers component separation a medically necessary adjunct when the hernia is larger than 10 cm in any direction, involves loss of domain, measures 7 to 10 cm with a hernia-to-rectus width ratio of at least 2, is complex with tissue loss, or follows prior failed ventral hernia repairs. Aetna considers liposuction, lipectomy and excision of excessive skin medically necessary for lipedema of the extremities after at least 3 months of failed conservative management and when the listed diagnostic criteria are met, while abdominoplasty, lipoabdominoplasty, suction lipectomy for indications other than lipedema and lymphedema, and repair of diastasis recti are considered cosmetic or not medically necessary.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What insurance policy changes affect code L98.7?

There are 4 tracked policy changes affecting code L98.7, including updates from Independence Blue Cross, Aetna. Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for code L98.7?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for code L98.7 include: Independence Blue Cross, Aetna.

How do I get notified when code L98.7 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to code L98.7. You will get an email when new policy changes reference this code: daily or weekly, your choice, on every plan.

Why do payers change policies for code L98.7?

Payers revise policies for individual billing codes to align with updated clinical guidelines, CMS rule changes, fraud and abuse prevention measures, or network cost-management goals. Changes can affect medical necessity criteria, place-of-service restrictions, bundling rules, or whether a code requires prior authorization.

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MA11.073f, Panniculectomy, Abdominoplasty, Abdominal Lipectomy, and Other Excisions of Redundant Skin

MA11.073f, Panniculectomy, Abdominoplasty, Abdominal Lipectomy, and Other Excisions of Redundant Skin

Abdominoplasty, Suction Lipectomy, and Ventral Hernia Repair (CPB 0211, reviewed 2026-08-18)

Abdominoplasty, Suction Lipectomy, and Ventral Hernia Repair (CPB 0211, reviewed 2026-03-26)

What insurance policy changes affect code L98.7?

Which payers have updated policy for code L98.7?

How do I get notified when code L98.7 policy changes?

Why do payers change policies for code L98.7?