Self-funded ASO Prior Authorization/Notification
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Governance of prior authorization and notification requirements for Baylor Scott & White Health Plan acting as third‑party administrator for self‑funded (ASO) employer-sponsored plans, including how providers submit requests and that benefits vary by member plan.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Key Definitions
Coverage Review Criteria and Code-Based Rules
COVERAGE CRITERIA — General coverage and claim review rules
General coverage and claim review rules:
Procedure codes referenced
Codes listed (with short descriptors and date annotations) that are referenced for administrative prior authorization/notification.
Examples include
Providers should reference the code-specific line entries for the exact descriptor and effective/administrative date when preparing prior authorization or notification requests.
Procedure code lists
Listed CPT codes and their referenced effective dates — use for prior authorization/notification routing.
Orthopedics — arthroscopy/arthroplasty examples
- 29914–29916 (hip arthroscopy with listed 10/1/2018 dates).
Spine and neurostimulator/intrathecal examples
- 22515 and related arthrodesis codes (spine), with dates such as 10/1/2018 and 1/2/2020 as shown on listed lines.
- 62325–62362 (injection and intrathecal pump/device implantation codes) — many entries list 10/1/2018 as administrative date.
Cardiac, thoracic, transplant and vascular examples
- 33340, 33361–33366 and related transcatheter valve and transplant procedure codes with dates (examples include 5/1/2023 and 1/2/2020).
- 33975–33991 ventricular assist device and related codes with 1/2/2020 administrative dates in the listing.
Vascular and venous procedures
- 36474–36483 endovenous ablation and AV fistula creation codes with dates (eg, 3/1/2023, 1/2/2020, 5/1/2023).
Procedure code entries (excerpts)
Code list with administrative dates (partial)
CPT code listing and effective dates (informational)
This excerpt provides CPT code equivalencies and effective dates used for ASO prior authorization/notification processing; it does not include utilization criteria or medical necessity rules in this segment.
Code inclusion (informational)
Codes shown in this excerpt are included in the ASO prior authorization/notification listing.
ASO Prior Auth/Notification Code List (partial)
Codes and brief descriptors requiring ASO prior authorization/notification (partial list from chunks 126–145).
Molecular and genetic testing examples
- Single-gene and hereditary testing codes (e.g., 81161–81167 BRCA/DMD entries) with their listed administrative dates are included for ASO processing.
Entries in this segment should be referenced directly for the exact test descriptor and effective/administrative date when submitting authorization requests.
Listed codes (informational)
Codes listed in this document segment are included in the ASO prior authorization/notification listing; many entries include brief descriptors and effective dates.
Selected laboratory, pathology and algorithmic tests
Code listing (informational)
Code listing and effective dates (excerpt). No explicit coverage criteria present in this segment.
This excerpt summarizes administrative date mappings (e.g., 4/1/2021 mapped to 1/1/2023) for use in ASO authorization workflows; clinical criteria are not provided in this excerpt.
ASO code entries (part 11)
Code listing for ASO prior authorization/notification
Selected U/T code examples (section part 11)
- 0201T/0201U series — red cell antigen genotyping mappings with administrative dates (examples include 1/1/2023 and 4/1/2021 references).
- 0314U–0321U and related U-codes — hematology, oncology, infectious disease and transplant-related genomic/algorithmic tests with 5/1/2023 effective dates on many entries.
Each listed U/T code and its descriptor are subject to ASO prior authorization/notification per plan provisions; clinical criteria are provided in separate policy sections when applicable.
Code listing — informational for authorization
Code listings and short descriptors (service type, specimen, and algorithm/reporting style) provided for payer processing and prior authorization workflow.
Providers should use the exact code descriptor and administrative date when preparing ASO prior authorization/notification requests for these advanced genomic tests.
Coverage stance and mappings (excerpt)
This excerpt provides mappings of CPT/Category III codes to device and laboratory procedures and lists effective/review dates; it does not itself state utilization or medical necessity criteria in this window.
Device and Category III code examples
- 0408T–0411T — Insertion/replacement of permanent cardiac contractility modulation system (pulse generator, electrodes) — listed with effective date 1/1/2023.
Category III and U-code mappings are included for ASO routing; clinical utilization criteria are addressed elsewhere in the plan or through case-by-case review.
Partial code listing — no coverage criteria in excerpt
Code listings and effective dates included in this excerpt (partial). No explicit coverage rules or criteria are present in these chunks.
Additional procedure/T-code examples
- 0522T — Programming device evaluation (in person) for wireless cardiac stimulator — administrative date 1/1/2023.
Use the full listing when determining whether an ASO prior authorization or notification is required for the procedure or test; this excerpt alone does not define clinical eligibility.
T-code descriptors
Enumerated list of T-codes and effective dates (no decision criteria in this excerpt).
Selected T-code examples from Part 15
- 0639T–0649T — Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and transcatheter intracardiac and valve-related T-codes with administrative dates (many 1/1/2023 and 10/1/2021).
- 0650T–0773T — Programming device evaluation (remote), capsule endoscopy, transperineal focal laser ablation, VR procedural dissociation services, and other novel procedure T-codes with listed effective dates for ASO routing.
These T-code listings are for administrative routing and do not in themselves specify medical necessity criteria; consult the full policy or the plan for clinical requirements.
Code Tables and Effective Dates
| 43648 | Laparoscopy, surgical; revision or removal of gastric neurostimulator electrodes, antrum (mapping present) |
| 43770 | Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure; placement of adjustable gastric restrictive device |
| 43775 | Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure; longitudinal gastrectomy (sleeve gastrectomy) |
| 43845 | Gastric restrictive procedure with partial gastrectomy; biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch |
| 71550-71555, 72125-72133, 72141-72159 | Multiple MRI and CT chest/spine/head related imaging codes referenced with effective dates |
| 72191-72198, 72285, 72295 | CT/MR pelvis and discography codes with effective dates |
| 73200-73225, 73701-73725 | CT/MR upper and lower extremity imaging and angiography codes |
| 74150-74185, 74261-74262 | Abdomen/pelvis CT and MR and CT colonography codes |
| 75557-75577, 75635 | Cardiac and related CT/MR codes including ones with 9/1/2018 and 5/1/2026 notes |
| 76376-76498, 76873, 76979, 77021-77022 | 3D rendering, postprocessing, ultrasound and MR guidance codes |
| 77047-77049, 77078, 77084 | Breast MRI and related imaging and bone density cross-references |
| 77261-77435, 77336-77399, 77402-77417, 77423-77435 | Therapeutic radiology planning, dosimetry, treatment delivery and management CPT codes with effective dates |
| 77387 | Guidance for localization of target volume for delivery of radiation treatment, includes intrafraction tracking |
| 77435 | Stereotactic body radiation therapy, treatment management, per treatment course |
| 77520 | Proton treatment delivery; simple |
| 77770 | Remote afterloading high dose rate radionuclide interstitial or intracavitary brachytherapy; 1 channel |
| 78430 | Myocardial imaging, PET, perfusion study with CT transmission scan |
| 78816 | PET with concurrently acquired CT for attenuation correction and anatomical localization; whole body |
| 81162 | BRCA1/BRCA2 full sequence and duplication/deletion analysis |
| 93451-93461 | Right/left heart catheterization and related coronary angiography procedures (range shown) |
| 93590-93597 | Percutaneous transcatheter closure and congenital heart catheterization codes |
| 0201T | Red cell antigen (Kx blood group) genotyping (XK), gene analysis |
| 0232T | Injection(s), platelet rich plasma, any site, including image guidance |
| 0246U | Red blood cell antigen typing, DNA, genotyping of at least 16 blood groups |
| 0250U | Oncology (solid organ neoplasm), targeted genomic sequence DNA analysis of 505 genes |
| 0306U | Oncology (minimal residual disease), next-generation targeted sequencing analysis, cell-free DNA |
| 0321U | Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid, genitourinary pathogens, multiplex amplified probe technique |
| 0408T | Insertion or replacement of permanent cardiac contractility modulation system; pulse generator with transvenous electrodes |
| 0409T | Insertion or replacement of permanent cardiac contractility modulation system; pulse generator only |
| 0410T | Insertion or replacement of permanent cardiac contractility modulation system; atrial electrode only |
| 0411T | Insertion or replacement ... ventricular electrode only |
| 0512U | Oncology (solid tumor), MSI analysis on FFPE tissue; reported probability of MSI-high |
| 0513U | Oncology (prostate), algorithmic analysis of whole-slide imaging for MSI and HRD on FFPE tissue |
| 0523U | Oncology, ctDNA/NGS of 22 genes on FFPE tissue reporting SNVs/indels |
| 0525U | Oncology, spheroid cell culture 11-drug response panel for ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal tumors |
| 0530U | Oncology (pan-solid tumor), ctDNA NGS of 77 genes, fusions, MSI, TMB from plasma |
| 0513T | Extracorporeal shock wave for integumentary wound healing; add-on for additional wound |
| 0515T | Insertion of wireless cardiac stimulator for LV pacing; complete system |
| 0516T | Insertion of wireless cardiac stimulator for LV pacing; electrode only |
| 0517T | Insertion of wireless cardiac stimulator for LV pacing; generator components only |
| 0639T | Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; determination and localization of discogenic pain; interpretation and report |
| 0640T | Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; determination and localization of discogenic pain; interpretation and report (alternate descriptor) |
| 0643T | Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; determination and localization of discogenic pain; interpretation and report (alternate descriptor) |
| 0644T | Transcatheter removal or debulking of intracardiac mass via suction device; percutaneous |
| 0645T | Transcatheter implantation of coronary sinus reduction device |
| 0646T | Transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation/replacement (TTVI) |
| 0647T | Insertion of gastrostomy tube, percutaneous, with magnetic gastropexy |
| 0650T | Programming device evaluation (remote) of subcutaneous cardiac rhythm monitor system |
| 0651T | Magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy, esophagus through stomach |
| 0652T | Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transnasal; diagnostic |
Provider Submission and Authorization Instructions
Prior Authorization and Notification overview — Verify benefits and submit requests
Prior Authorization is not a guarantee of benefits or payment at time of service. Verify member eligibility and benefits prior to rendering services. Use the secure provider portal to submit electronic preauthorization requests. Call the number on the member ID card or contact your Provider Relations Representative for assistance. Note: Notification is requested for certain services to support discharge planning, care coordination, and case management.
- Prior authorization does not ensure payment — benefits vary by plan; verify member benefits.
- Submit preauthorization electronically via the secure provider portal; phone number on member ID for portal assistance.
- Notification is requested for some services to assist coordination and discharge planning.
Authorization submission pathway — Secure provider portal and contact info
Use the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan secure provider portal to submit prior authorization requests and receive status updates. Registered providers may also contact Provider Relations for help. Always include accurate CPT/HCPCS codes, clinical rationale, and pertinent medical records.
- Submit via secure provider portal (registered users).
- If you cannot access the portal, call the number on the member's ID card or contact your Provider Relations Representative.
Code list (partial) — overview and submission guidance
The ASO prior authorization/notification code list includes a broad set of CPT, HCPCS, T-, U-, and proprietary lab/test codes across clinical areas. The following highlights consolidate required-procedure groups and examples that require prior authorization or notification.
- Comprehensive code lists include ENT, thoracic, cardiac, neuro/spine, orthopedic, vascular/venous, transplant preparation, bariatric, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, PET/SPECT, and molecular/genetic tests.
- Providers must include the specific CPT/HCPCS/T/U/code when requesting authorization; newly published codes may also require review.
Provider action: ENT / thoracic / cardiac codes
ENT, thoracic, and cardiac procedure codes on the ASO list require prior authorization or notification. Examples include advanced nasal valve procedures, bronchoscopy with bronchial thermoplasty, tracheoplasty, lung volume reduction resections, thoracoscopy for emphysema, and lung and heart transplant procedures. Also included are left atrial appendage closure and transcatheter valve procedures.
- 30400, 30410, 30420, 30430, 30435, 30450, 30460 (rhinoplasty variants) — effective dates vary (eg, 1/2/2020).
- 31660, 31661 (nasal valve repair) — effective 5/1/2023 = 1/1/2023.
- Bronchoscopy with bronchial thermoplasty and related codes (e.g., 31660 series).
- 32491, 32672 (lung volume reduction procedures) — effective dates noted in plan.
- 32851 (lung transplant, single) and other transplant CPTs — see transplant code group.
Provider action: Cardiac / vascular / endovenous codes
Cardiac, vascular and endovenous procedural codes requiring authorization/notification include transcatheter valve procedures, TAVR/TAVI variants, percutaneous transcatheter left atrial appendage closure, VAD and artificial heart implantation/replacement, endovenous ablation therapies, injections/sclerosant procedures, and arteriovenous fistula creation.
- 33340 (left atrial appendage closure) — 5/1/2023.
- 33361–33366 (TAVR/TAVI approaches) — various effective dates.
- 33418, 33477 (transcatheter mitral/pulmonary interventions) — effective dates per list.
- 33927–33991 (heart replacement, transplant, VAD insertion/replacement) — 1/2/2020 onward.
- 36465–36483, 36474, 36475, 36478, 36482–36483 (sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, chemical adhesive) — effective dates include 1/2/2020 and 3/1/2023.
- 36836–36837 (percutaneous AV fistula creation) — effective 5/1/2023.
Provider action: Venous / vascular / transplant prep codes
Venous/vascular and transplant preparation codes on the ASO listing include endovenous ablation therapy, varicose vein surgery, AV fistula creation, and hematopoietic progenitor cell collection and processing. Transplant prep CPTs (collection, cryopreservation, cell depletion, thawing) are included and require prior authorization.
- 36474, 36475, 36478, 36482, 36483 (endovenous ablation and adhesive closure) — 1/2/2020 and 3/1/2023 effective dates.
- 37700–37785 (ligation/stripping, phlebectomy, varicose vein procedures) — effective dates noted (eg, 1/2/2020).
- 36836–36837 (percutaneous AV fistula creation) — effective 5/1/2023.
- 38206–38215, 38240–38241, 38207–38209, 38211–38215 (hematopoietic progenitor cell harvest/processing/cryopreservation/thawing and specific cell depletion procedures) — effective dates 1/2/2020 and related.
Provider action: CPT mapping entries (partial)
Selected CPT mapping examples and other CPT entries are explicitly listed for authorization review. Providers must reference the exact CPT code and effective date when submitting requests.
- Examples: 43648 (laparoscopy; revision/removal gastric neurostimulator) — 1/2/2020.
- 43770–43775 (laparoscopic bariatric procedures including adjustable band and sleeve gastrectomy) — 1/2/2020.
- 29867–29916 series (knee and hip arthroscopy/arthroplasty mapping) — effective 10/1/2018 and later.
- 0201T–0207T, 0408T–0411T, 0515T–0519T (selected T-codes for devices, genotyping, and implantable systems) — effective dates in listing.
Provider action: Neuro/spine/injection CPT entries
Neuro, spine, and injection-related CPT codes that require authorization/notification include spinal arthrodesis and vertebral augmentation, intradiscal procedures, neurostimulator implantation and programming, intrathecal/intraspinal catheter and pump implantation, epidural/nerve injections, adhesiolysis, and percutaneous disc decompression and injections.
- 22515, 22526–22534 series (vertebral augmentation, intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty, lateral extracavitary arthrodesis) — effective dates vary (e.g., 10/1/2018, 1/2/2020).
- 61863, 61867, 61885–61886 (neurostimulator electrode array implantation and pulse generator insertion/replacement) — 1/2/2020.
- 62263–62264 (percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions) — 1/1/2023.
- 62280–62292 series and 62320–62351, 62360–62361 (neurolytic injections, discography, intrathecal/epidural injections, pump/catheter implantation, intrathecal drug delivery devices) — effective dates include 10/1/2018 and 4/1/2021.
Provider action: Nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging, PET/SPECT, and genetic test codes
Nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging, PET/SPECT, and genetic/molecular test codes are included in the ASO list and require prior authorization or notification. This includes planar and tomographic nuclear studies, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, cardiac nuclear studies, and a range of molecular and genomic test CPTs and U/T codes.
- 78018–78899 range covers thyroid, parathyroid, salivary, hepatobiliary, bone and joint, myocardial perfusion, cardiac blood pool, pulmonary ventilation/perfusion, PET imaging (e.g., 78811–78816), SPECT/CT (e.g., 78831–78832) — effective dates noted (8/1/2018 and updates).
- 78430–78432, 78451–78454 (myocardial PET and SPECT perfusion) — effective dates include 4/1/2020 and 9/1/2018.
- 78811–78816 (PET limited/skull-base/whole body and PET/CT variants) — effective 8/1/2018.
- Molecular/genetic codes (e.g., 80145, 80230; 81161–81167 BRCA panels; 81349, 81351, 81407–81412; 81410–81411 gene panels; T/U codes 0080U–0099U, 0201T–0207T, 0408T–0469T, 0444U, 0460U–0471U, 0512U–0513U, 0515T etc.) — effective dates and code-specific requirements vary; many have 2020–2025 effective dates.
- Providers must submit clinical indication, prior imaging/testing results, and specific assay/panel requested for molecular/genetic tests.
Provider action: Cardiac contractility modulation & device codes (examples)
Cardiac contractility modulation systems, device insertion/replacement, and associated device interrogation codes are included and require prior authorization. Device interrogation, programming, and remote monitoring services (including implantable cardiac contractility modulation system and wireless cardiac stimulators) are captured, as are procedure and device codes for implantation and component replacements.
- 0408T, 0409T, 0410T, 0411T (permanent cardiac contractility modulation system insertion and components) — 1/1/2023.
- 0515T–0519T (wireless cardiac stimulator insertion and related device management) — 1/1/2023.
- 93264 (remote monitoring of wireless pulmonary artery pressure sensor) — 4/1/2021.
- 0418U, 0419T, 0420T (interrogation and device evaluation codes) — effective dates per listing.
Provider action: Device interrogation and oncology test mappings
Device interrogation and oncology test mapping codes (Category III, proprietary U-codes, and device/programming CPTs) appear on the listing. Examples include in-person interrogation and analysis with report for implanted devices, and many oncology genomic panels and algorithmic tests that require prior authorization.
- 0418U, 0419T, 0420T (interrogation and device evaluation for cardiac contractility modulation systems) — dates 1/1/2023 to 7/1/2025 for related U-codes.
- 0444U, 0445T, 0461U, 0467U (targeted genomic panels, implantable sensor creation/removal, oncology pharmacogenomics) — referenced with effective dates through 7/1/2025.
- 0472T–0473T (device evaluation and interrogation of intraocular retinal electrode arrays) — effective dates noted in list.
Provider action: Ophthalmology/device and oncology genomic codes
Ophthalmology device procedures and oncology genomic testing codes are included. Examples include retinal device evaluation/interrogation, insertion/removal of ocular inserts, optical coherence tomography remote monitoring services, and multiple U/T codes for oncology genomic panels and molecular assays.
- 0445T (placement of drug-eluting ocular insert) — 4/1/2021.
- 0472T, 0473T (device evaluation/interrogation of intraocular retinal electrode arrays) — 4/1/2021.
- 0604T–0606T (remote OCT retina device provision and monitoring) — 1/1/2023.
- Numerous oncology genomic U-codes (e.g., 0444U, 0460U, 0461U, 0467U, 0512U, 0513U) — effective through 7/1/2025; provide test name, specimen, and clinical indication with requests.
Provider action: Code list excerpt — additional procedures
Additional procedure and novel-technology code excerpts across specialties require prior authorization/notification. This includes T-codes for novel interventions (e.g., intracardiac devices, percutaneous interatrial shunt, transcatheter tricuspid/left ventricular devices), advanced imaging (CT breast 3D, MR spectroscopy discogenic pain), biologic injections, cellular therapies, and other emerging services. Always reference the exact code and effective date from the ASO list.
- 0613T (transcatheter interatrial septal shunt device) — 1/1/2023.
- 0632T (pulmonary artery nerve ablation) — 1/1/2023.
- 0633T–0638T (CT breast with 3D rendering variants) — 1/1/2023.
- 0586T (islet cell transplant) and 0627T–0630T (percutaneous injection of allogeneic cellular/tissue products to intervertebral disc) — 1/1/2023.
- Multiple T-codes (0600T–0650T and others) and U-codes for innovative diagnostics and therapeutics — check the ASO code listing for exact effective dates and submission requirements.
Background and Scope Notes
This policy governs prior authorization and notification requirements when Baylor Scott & White Health Plan is acting as a third‑party administrator for self‑funded employer (ASO) plans. Prior authorization is a payer determination process and is not a guarantee of benefits or payment at the time of service; reimbursement of any authorized service remains subject to member eligibility, plan benefit limitations or exclusions, and applicable claims payment agreements. Benefits vary by employer plan, so providers must verify eligibility and coverage by consulting the member benefit booklet or contacting customer service.
Providers serving ASO members should submit preauthorization requests through the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan secure provider portal (registered users log in to submit electronic requests) or call the number on the member ID card for assistance. Provider Relations can also be contacted for additional help. The Plan additionally requests notification for certain services to support discharge planning, care coordination, and case management.
The Plan maintains a listing of procedure and service codes (CPT/HCPCS/T/U codes) with administrative effective dates that are subject to ASO prior authorization or notification. The listing is used to route requests and identify services that require review; newly published codes or emerging therapies not yet listed may also require prior authorization and providers should check with Baylor Scott & White Health Plan before providing such services.
Revision History
Policy effective date published as May 01, 2026; establishes the ASO prior authorization/notification listing and submission instructions.
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