List of items and services that require Prior Authorization
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This document lists items and services that require prior authorization for Blue Cross Blue Shield - Wisconsin members; it affects providers and billing staff submitting requests for those listed procedure codes and related services.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Services and Codes Requiring Prior Authorization
Services and Codes Requiring Prior Authorization
The following tests, procedures, devices, and items require prior authorization. This consolidated list includes individual gene tests, molecular pathology procedures, genomic panels, Medicare procedure codes, durable medical equipment, drugs, injections, implants, and other services identified by the payer as subject to prior authorization.
Representative Codes and Code Groups
| 81260 | Analysis of 3 gene variants related to age-related macular degeneration |
| 81290 | IKBKAP gene analysis (familial dysautonomia) common variants |
| 81351 | MCOLN1 gene analysis common variants |
| 81330 | TP53 full gene sequence |
| 81162 | BRCA1/BRCA2 full sequence and duplication/deletion analysis |
| 0236U | BRCA1/BRCA2 full sequence and duplication/deletion analysis (alternate listing) |
| E0995 | Wheelchair accessory, calf rest/pad, replacement only, each |
| E1004 | Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, recline only, with mechanical shear |
| L5969 | Addition to lower extremity prosthesis, endoskeletal knee shin system, microprocessor control feature, stance phase only |
| E0619 | Apnea Monitor, With Recording Feature |
| K08xx, K07xx, K08xx series | Power wheelchair groups and power mobility device codes (groups 1-5, multiple capacities and configurations) |
| E26xx - E27xx series | Wheelchair cushions, positioning, and related wheelchair accessories |
| L2xxx - L8xxx series | Orthotics and prosthetic device codes, custom fabricated components and additions |
| A4341-A4342 | Indwelling intraurethral drainage device and accessories |
| K0827 | Power wheelchair, group 2 very heavy duty, captains chair, patient weight capacity 451 to 600 pounds |
| K0815 | Power wheelchair, group 1 standard, sling/solid seat and back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds |
| K0848 | Power wheelchair, group 3 standard, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds |
| K0852 | Power wheelchair, group 3 very heavy duty, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity 451 to 600 pounds |
| K0837 | Power wheelchair, group 2 heavy duty, single power option, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds |
| J9305 | Injection, pemetrexed |
| Q4375 | Duograft ac, per square centimeter |
| 96113 | Developmental test administration, each additional 30 minutes |
| 96130 | Psychological testing evaluation services, first hour |
| 77470 | Special radiation treatment procedure (e.g., total body irradiation) |
| 77371 | Radiation treatment delivery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) |
What Providers and Billing Staff Must Do
Prior Authorization — listed procedure codes and descriptions
Prior Authorization Required. The following items, tests, genetic/genomic panels, durable medical equipment (DME), wheelchairs and wheelchair components, prosthetics/grafts, therapeutics (injectable medications and biologics), imaging/interventional/spine procedures, therapy and modality services, and other high-cost services require prior authorization from Blue Cross Blue Shield - Wisconsin. Providers must obtain authorization before rendering these services to avoid claim denials or delays. The list below consolidates representative CPT/HCPCS/Medicare procedure and drug codes and descriptions that require prior authorization. This list was updated 2/11/2026.
- Prior authorization required tests (selected): Examples include specialized genetic and genomic tests and expression assays such as 0536U (Red blood cell antigen fetal RhD PCR), 0032U (Unlisted Chemistry Proc), 0031U–0075U series (COMT, CYP1A2, CYP2D6 targeted analyses), 81161 (DMD deletion/duplication), 81223–81224 (BRCA1/BRCA2 duplication/deletion analyses), 81221–81228 (CFTR analyses), 81407, 81408, 81418 (molecular pathology and pharmacogenomic panels), 81525/81529/81507/81522/81523 (mRNA/gene expression profiling assays), 81595/81554/81546/81599 (various expression and multianalyte assays), 0469U/0454U/0449U/0440U (whole genome/optical mapping/carrier screening panels), and many additional U- and T-codes listed in the master table below.
- Genetic and genomic tests (sample): Genomic sequence analysis panels and molecular pathology procedures require prior authorization. Representative codes: 81418 (drug metabolism genomic panel, >=6 genes), 81459/81457/81455/81463/81479/81441/81420/81422/81404 (molecular pathology levels and targeted panels), 0111U/0420U/0425U/0497U/0538U/0523U/0500U/0494U/0506U and numerous gene‑specific CPT/HCPCS codes (e.g., 81121, 81166–81167, 81161–81162, 81220–81228, 81316–81325, 81330–81334, 81351). Authorization is required for panels interrogating sequence variants, copy number variants, rearrangements, and cell-free DNA analyses.
- Pharmacogenetic tests and expression assays: Prior authorization required for pharmacogenomic and pharmacogenetic testing including code G9143 (warfarin responsiveness by genetic technique), 81418 (pharmacogenomics panels), 81542/81525/81529 and other mRNA/expression assays (e.g., 81522, 81523, 81554, 81595). Unlisted molecular pathology (81479) and unlisted multianalyte assays with algorithmic analysis (81599) also require authorization.
- Therapeutics and biologics (selected J-/Q-/C- codes): Many high-cost injectables and biologics require prior authorization. Representative codes include J0218, J0174, J1301, J1304, J1305, J1302, J1303, J1448, J1551, J1554, J1555, J1561, J1566, J1568, J1575, J1951, J2506, J2507, J2797, J2860, J2998, J3380, J3385, J3388, J3389, J7199, J7200–J7209, J7211–J7212, J7312–J7314, J7321–J7328, J9334, J9353–J9356, J9380, J9395, Q5101, Q5111–Q5117, Q5124–Q5129, Q5135–Q5146, Q5155 and many additional J- and Q-codes listed in the master list. Includes biosimilars and injection formulations.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME), wheelchairs, wheelchair components and accessories: Prior authorization required for many E-, K-, L-, and A-codes for wheelchairs, power wheelchair accessories, cushions, custom fabrication and replacement components. Representative codes include E0601 (CPAP device), E0239, E0175, E0350–E0352, E0615, E0710, E0720, E0734, E0736, E0738, E0739, E0734, E0738, E0953–E1004, E1160, E1221–E1239, E1296, E1827, E2322, E2351, E2360–E2370, E2384–E2389, E2611–E2629, E2630–E2631, K0017, K0018, K0051–K0072, K0739, K0808–K0814, L0468, L5991, L7009, L8045 and others. Custom cushions, power seating components, wheelchair drives, batteries, chargers, and specialized prosthetic/orthotic features require prior authorization.
- Prosthetics, grafts, membranes, and skin substitutes: Prior authorization required for numerous Q-codes and graft/product codes. Representative codes: Q4311–Q4335, Q4330–Q4431, Q4272–Q4282, Q4299, Q4303, Q4314–Q4319, Q4322–Q4329, Q4331–Q4333, Q4341, Q4352, Q4362, Q4375–Q4416, Q4431, C1889 and associated product codes (per square centimeter graft/allograft products).
- Imaging, interventional, and spine procedures (selected): Prior authorization required for many advanced imaging, interventional, and spine procedures including CT heart with contrast (75573/75573 series), CT/MRI spine and musculoskeletal imaging (70486, 70553–70554, 72133, 72193), MR spectroscopy (76390), cardiac/vascular interventional codes (93457, 93922, 93931, 93979), neurostimulator implantation and revisions (61889, 64561, 64597, 64596, 64590, 64575, 64555), spinal decompression/laminotomy/laminectomy and complex spine codes (63051, 63053, 22802, 22861, 22865, 22224, 22861), percutaneous disc procedures (62287, 62280, 62287), and a broad set of image‑guided, catheter‑based and device implantation codes (C1735, C1736, C9145, C9762, C9808).
- Interventional spinal procedures requiring prior auth (examples): Code 252 chunk examples include laminotomy/laminectomy (interlaminar approach) for decompression of neural elements under indirect image guidance (single or multiple levels) — representative CPT range includes 63051, 63053, 22802, 22224 and related codes for decompression, fusion, and implant procedures. These procedures require prior authorization prior to scheduling.
- Therapy and modality services: Prior authorization required for certain therapy, modality, and rehabilitation services including CPT codes for adaptive behavior treatment (97153, 97156, 97157), occupational/physical therapy and specialized modalities (97110, 97112, 97113, 97116, 97124, 97129, 97130, 97140, 97530, 97535, 97533, 97542, 97750–97763, 97032–97039, 97022–97028, 97150, 97164, 97168), group and intensive outpatient bundles (G0137, 90867, 90869), and selected testing/evaluation services (96130, 96137, 96113).
- Sample prior authorization procedure lines and Medicare procedure codes (selected excerpts): Examples from the full list include 0536U, 81161, 81223, 81407, 81418, 81525, 81529, 0425U, 0497U, 0538U, 0494U, 81479, G9143, 01558U/0469U/0454U/0449U series, many 0xxU and T-codes, J-codes (J9034, J9035, J9042–J9047, J9055–J9060 series), Q-codes (Q5111–Q5117, Q5124–Q5136, Q4154–Q4362), E-codes for DME (E0601, E2360–E2629, E0953–E0995), L- and K-codes for prosthetics and wheelchair parts, and numerous procedure codes for imaging and surgery (63051, 63053, 62133, 72133, 75573, 93700 series).
- Prior authorization list (partial, part 12) and continued codes: The policy includes an extensive master list (multiple parts) of procedure and product codes requiring prior authorization — providers must consult the payer authorization portal or contact customer service for the complete, current list and to submit prior authorization requests.
- Provider action: Obtain prior authorization before scheduling or furnishing any listed service. When submitting authorization requests, include clinical documentation that supports medical necessity (indications, prior treatments, test results, relevant genetic/family history for genetic testing, and device/prosthetic measurements when applicable).
- Operational note: Preservation of prior authorization requirements and codes — this consolidated summary highlights representative codes and categories. The full authoritative and detailed code list (including all U-, T-, Q-, J-, E-, L-, K-, A-, C-, and CPT codes referenced) was updated on 2/11/2026 and must be used for authorization determinations. Contact BCBS‑WI provider services or use the electronic prior authorization tool for submission and verification.
Terms and Definitions Used in This List
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