This section lists services, medication categories, and specific CPT/HCPCS codes that require prior authorization or notification. Consolidated entries below include cancer supportive care injectable drugs and medications, broader lists of services and procedures requiring authorization, and operational instructions for submitting authorizations.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for outpatient cancer supportive care medications and related services when billed for a cancer diagnosis. This includes colony-stimulating factors, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, bone-modifying agents, injectable chemotherapy and select anti-emetic and supportive drugs. See code groups below for specific HCPCS/J-codes.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for injectable colony-stimulating factors (white blood cell growth factors) administered outpatient for oncology: J1442, J1447, J2506, Q5101, Q5108, Q5110, Q5111, Q5120, Q5122, Q5125, J1449 (Eflapegrastim - Rolvedone), Q5125 (Filgrastim-ayow - Releuko), J1447 (Tbo‑filgrastim - Granix), other filgrastim biosimilars (Q510* series) — authorization required for oncology diagnoses; Q5120/Q5122/Q5125 require authorization for both oncology and non-oncology (see routing notes).
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for bone-modifying agent Denosumab J0897 (outpatient cancer use) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents J0885 (ESAs) when used for oncology diagnosis; J0897 requires prior authorization for non-oncology diagnoses.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for outpatient injectable chemotherapy drugs (J9000–J9999), leucovorin J0640, levoleucovorin J0641/J0642, Lupron Depot J1950, leuprolide J1952 and related agents for cancer treatment.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for select anti-emetic and supportive oncology agents such as fosaprepitant (Emend) and trilaciclib (Cosela) and extended-release granisetron (Sustol) when billed outpatient for cancer supportive care.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for inpatient services as noted (see transplant/CAR T-cell routing) — inpatient authorizations handled separately; notification required for certain admissions and post-acute facilities.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for the following service categories and representative CPT/HCPCS codes: advanced outpatient radiology (CT/MRI/PET) per Radiology Prior Authorization Program; radiation therapy (specific RT codes and diagnoses ranges require PA, see Standard Radiation Therapy list); transplants and CAR T‑cell therapy — call Transplant Case Management at 888-936-7246; ventricular assist devices — contact notification number on member ID and fax to Optum VAD Case Management at 855-282-8929; joint replacement, bariatric surgery, cochlear implants, continuous glucose monitors, enteral nutrition supplies, genetic/BRCA testing (notification/PA before sequencing), orthotics/prosthetics with retail purchase or cumulative amounts, private duty nursing, selected outpatient procedures and site-of-service outpatient hospital cases.
Criteria group: Prior authorization required for vein procedures (e.g., 36473, 36475, 36478, 37700, 37718, 37722, 37765, 37766, 37780) and other specified procedural codes.
Criteria group: Operational routing and submission instructions: submit requests online via the Prior Authorization and Notification tool on UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal (UHCprovider.com) > Prior Authorization and Notification tile, or call 888-397-8129 (general PA). For non-oncology use of certain colony-stimulating Q-codes submit via Provider Portal or call 877-842-3210. For Radiology PA call 866-889-8054. For Solaris medication notification use OptumRx at 800-310-6826. For Unclassified J-code (C9399,J3490,J3590) PA applies only to specific products (e.g., Elevidys, Eylea HD, Nulibry, Rivfloza).
note':'All items above consolidate requirements from the provider-facing code lists and coverage-category entries. Providers must verify diagnosis-specific PA applicability (oncology vs non-oncology) and follow special routing instructions where indicated.'