Prior Authorization Codes Updated for Commercial Members

March 28, 2024

What’s Changing: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is changing prior authorization requirements that may apply to some commercial members, to reflect new, replaced or removed codes.  These changes are based on updates from utilization management prior authorization assessment, including Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code changes released by the American Medical Association or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code changes from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. A summary of changes is included below.

Important Reminder: Always check eligibility and benefits first through the Availity® Essentials Provider Portal or your preferred vendor portal, prior to rendering services. This step will confirm prior authorization requirements and utilization management vendors, if applicable.

Changes include:

  • July 1, 2024 – Addition of Specialty Pharmacy codes to be reviewed by BCBSMT
  • July 1, 2024 – Replacement of Medical Oncology codes reviewed by Carelon
  • July 1, 2024 – Addition of Medical Oncology codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  • July 1, 2024 – Addition of Genetic Testing codes to be reviewed by Carelon

More Information: For a revised list of codes go to the Prior Authorization and Recommended Clinical Review section of our provider website.

CPT copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the AMA.

Checking eligibility and/or benefit information and/or obtaining prior authorization is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage, including, but not limited to, exclusions and limitations applicable on the date services were rendered. If you have any questions, call the number on the member's ID card.

Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSMT. BCBSMT makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding any products or services provided by third party vendors.