Prior Authorization Requirement Changes Effective May 1, 2024 (Healthy Blue + Medicare (HMO D-SNP))
Please note, this communication applies to Healthy Blue + Medicare℠ (HMO-POS D-SNP) offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).
Effective May 1, 2024, prior authorization (PA) requirements will change for the following code(s). The medical code(s) listed below will require PA by Blue Cross NC 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. Non-compliance with new requirements may result in denied claims.
Prior authorization requirements will be added for the following code(s):
| Code | Description |
| G0481 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to, GC / MS (any type, single or tandem) and LC / MS (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., IA, EIA, ELISA, EMIT, FPIA) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 8-14 drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed |
| G0482 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to, GC / MS (any type, single or tandem) and LC / MS (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., IA, EIA, ELISA, EMIT, FPIA) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 15-21 drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed |
| G0483 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to, GC / MS (any type, single or tandem) and LC / MS (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., IA, EIA, ELISA, EMIT, FPIA) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 22 or more drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed |
Not all PA requirements are listed here. Detailed PA requirements are available to providers at our Healthy Blue Medicare page or for contracted providers by accessing the Availity® website. Providers may also call Provider Services at 833-540-2106 for assistance with PA requirements.