Policy Updates Prior AuthorizationMedicare AdvantageMarch 6, 2025

Prior authorization requirement changes 

Effective July 1, 2025, prior authorization (PA) requirements will change for the following code(s). The medical code(s) listed below will require PA by Anthem for Medicare Advantage members. Federal and state law, as well as state contract language and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines, including definitions and specific contract provisions/exclusions take precedence over these precertification rules and must be considered first when determining coverage. If the requirements are not met, those services may be deemed ineligible for payment. Providers may appeal online through Availity or by calling Provider Services with additional information which may include medical records.

Prior authorization requirements will be added for the following code(s):

Code

Description

0108U

Gastroenterology (Barrett's esophagus), whole slide‑digital imaging, including morphometric analysis, computer‑assisted quantitative immunolabeling of 9 protein biomarkers (p16, AMACR, p53, CD68, COX‑2, CD45RO, HIF1a, HER‑2, K20) and morphology, formalin‑fixed paraffin‑embedded tissue, algorithm reported as risk of progression to high‑grade dysplasia or cancer

0394U

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (for example, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), 16 PFAS compounds by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/MS), plasma or serum, quantitative

0457U

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (for example, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), 9 PFAS compounds by LC‑MS/MS, plasma or serum, quantitative

0479U

Tau, phosphorylated, pTau217

0480U

Infectious disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), metagenomic next‑generation sequencing (DNA and RNA), bioinformatic analysis, with positive pathogen identification

0482U

Obstetrics (preeclampsia), biochemical assay of soluble fms‑like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‑1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), serum, ratio reported for sFlt‑1/PlGF, with risk of progression for preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks

0490U

Oncology (cutaneous or uveal melanoma), circulating tumor cell selection, morphological characterization and enumeration based on differential CD146, high molecular‑weight melanoma‑associated antigen, CD34 and CD45 protein biomarkers, peripheral blood

0491U

Oncology (solid tumor), circulating tumor cell selection, morphological characterization and enumeration based on differential epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19, CD45 protein biomarkers, and quantification of estrogen receptor (ER) protein biomarker‑expressing cells, peripheral blood

0492U

Oncology (solid tumor), circulating tumor cell selection, morphological characterization and enumeration based on differential epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19, CD45 protein biomarkers, and quantification of PD‑L1 protein biomarker‑expressing cells, peripheral blood

0495U

Oncology (prostate), analysis of circulating plasma proteins (tPSA, fPSA, KLK2, PSP94, and GDF15), germline polygenic risk score (60 variants), clinical information (age, family history of prostate cancer, prior negative prostate biopsy), algorithm reported as risk of likelihood of detecting clinically significant prostate cancer

0503U

Neurology (Alzheimer disease), beta amyloid (AB40, AB42, AB42/40 ratio) and tau‑protein (ptau217, np‑tau217, ptau217/np‑tau217 ratio), blood, immunoprecipitation with quantitation by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/MS), algorithm score reported as likelihood of positive or negative for amyloid plaques

0517U

Therapeutic drug monitoring, 80 or more psychoactive drugs or substances, LC‑MS/MS, plasma, qualitative and quantitative therapeutic minimally and maximally effective dose of prescribed and non‑prescribed medications

0518U

Therapeutic drug monitoring, 90 or more pain and mental health drugs or substances, LC‑MS/MS, plasma, qualitative and quantitative therapeutic minimally effective range of prescribed and non‑prescribed medications

0519U

Therapeutic drug monitoring, medications specific to pain, depression, and anxiety, LC‑MS/MS, plasma, 110 or more drugs or substances, qualitative and quantitative therapeutic minimally effective range of prescribed, non‑prescribed, and illicit medications in circulation

0915T

Insertion of permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s), including fluoroscopic guidance, and evaluation and programming of sensing and therapeutic parameters; pulse generator and dual transvenous electrodes/leads (pacing and defibrillation)

0916T

Insertion of permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s), including fluoroscopic guidance, and evaluation and programming of sensing and therapeutic parameters; pulse generator only

0917T

Insertion of permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s), including fluoroscopic guidance, and evaluation and programming of sensing and therapeutic parameters; single transvenous lead (pacing or defibrillation) only

0918T

Insertion of permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s), including fluoroscopic guidance, and evaluation and programming of sensing and therapeutic parameters; dual transvenous leads (pacing and defibrillation) only

0919T

Removal of a permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s); pulse generator only

0920T

Removal of a permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s); single transvenous pacing lead only

0921T

Removal of a permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s); single transvenous defibrillation lead only

0922T

Removal of a permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system component(s); dual (pacing and defibrillation) transvenous leads only

0923T

Removal and replacement of permanent cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation pulse generator only

0924T

Repositioning of previously implanted cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation transvenous electrode(s)/lead(s), including fluoroscopic guidance and programming of sensing and therapeutic parameters

0925T

Relocation of skin pocket for implanted cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation pulse generator

0926T

Programming device evaluation (in person) with iterative adjustment of the implantable device to test the function of the device and select optimal permanent programmed values with analysis, including review and report, implantable cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system

0927T

Interrogation device evaluation (in person) with analysis, review, and report, including connection, recording, and disconnection, per patient encounter, implantable cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system

0928T

Interrogation device evaluation (remote), up to 90 days, cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system with interim analysis and report(s) by a physician or other qualified health care professional

0929T

Interrogation device evaluation (remote), up to 90 days, cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillation system, remote data acquisition(s), receipt of transmissions, technician review, technical support, and distribution of results

0930T

Electrophysiologic evaluation of cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillator leads, including defibrillation‑threshold evaluation (induction of arrhythmia, evaluation of sensing and therapy for arrhythmia termination), at time of initial implantation or replacement with testing of cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillator pulse generator

0931T

Electrophysiologic evaluation of cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillator leads, including defibrillation‑threshold evaluation (induction of arrhythmia, evaluation of sensing and therapy for arrhythmia termination), separate from initial implantation or replacement with testing of cardiac contractility modulation‑defibrillator pulse generator

0933T

Transcatheter implantation of wireless left atrial pressure sensor for long‑term left atrial pressure monitoring, including sensor calibration and deployment, right heart catheterization, transseptal puncture, imaging guidance, and radiological supervision and interpretation

0934T

Remote monitoring of a wireless left atrial pressure sensor for up to 30 days, including data from daily uploads of left atrial pressure recordings, interpretation(s) and trend analysis, with adjustments to the diuretics plan, treatment paradigm thresholds, medications or lifestyle modifications, when performed, and report(s) by a physician or other qualified health care professional

0935T

Cystourethroscopy with renal pelvic sympathetic denervation, radiofrequency ablation, retrograde ureteral approach, including insertion of guide wire, selective placement of ureteral sheath(s) and multiple conformable electrodes, contrast injection(s), and fluoroscopy, bilateral

82542

Column Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry; Quantitative, Single Stationary & Mobile Phase

83921

Organic Acid, Single, Quantitative

93701

Bioimpedance‑derived physiologic cardiovascular analysis

A2027

Matriderm, per square centimeter

A2028

Micromatrix flex, per mg

A2029

Mirotract wound matrix sheet, per cubic centimeter

A4543

Supplies for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, for nerves in the auricular region, per month

A4544

Electrode for external lower extremity nerve stimulator for restless legs syndrome

E0738

Upper extremity rehabilitation system providing active assistance to facilitate muscle re‑education, includes microprocessor, all components and accessories

J9248

Injection, melphalan (Hepzato), 1 mg

L5783

Addition to lower extremity, user adjustable, mechanical, residual limb volume management system

L5841

Addition, endoskeletal knee‑shin system, polycentric, pneumatic swing, and stance phase control

Not all PA requirements are listed here. Detailed PA requirements are available on https://anthem.com/provider/medicare‑advantage under the Resources tab. Alternatively, contracted providers can access the information at https://Availity.com. Providers may also call Provider Services assistance with PA requirements.

UM AROW A2024M2893

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

MULTI-BCBS-CR-076904-25-CPN76474