Prior Authorization Changes for Some Commercial and Government Program Members

Dec. 24, 2025

We’re changing prior authorization requirements that may apply to some commercial non-HMO members and members with Blue Cross Medicare AdvantageSM or Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM.

Changes are based on updates from utilization management prior authorization assessment, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code changes released by the American Medical Association or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code changes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

For some services and members, prior authorization may be required through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Utilization management and related services for Medicare Advantage members will be reviewed by BCBSIL or EviCore healthcare. Carelon Medical Benefits Management will review utilization management and related services for some commercial members and those with BCCHPSM.

These changes for commercial members begin April 1, 2026:

  • Addition of a non-emergency air ambulance code to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Addition of advanced imaging codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  •  Removal of advanced imaging codes previously reviewed by Carelon
  • Removal of radiation oncology codes previously reviewed by Carelon
  • Addition of musculoskeletal codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  • Addition of sleep codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  • Addition of genetic lab codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  • Removal of genetic lab codes previously reviewed by Carelon
  • Replacement of medical oncology codes reviewed by Carelon
  • Removal of medical oncology codes previously reviewed by Carelon
  • Addition of medical oncology codes to be reviewed by Carelon
  • Removal of miscellaneous codes previously reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Addition of drug codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL

These changes for members of Medicare Advantage began Jan. 1, 2026:

  • Change of specialty drug codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Change of lab codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Change of musculoskeletal codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Removal of lab codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of radiology codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Change of medical oncology codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Change of genetic testing codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Change of radiation therapy codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Removal of musculoskeletal codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of sleep codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of specialty drug codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of advanced imaging codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of radiology codes previously reviewed by EviCore

These changes for members of Medicare Advantage begin April 1, 2026

  • Change of musculoskeletal codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Change of medical oncology codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  •  Addition of specialty drug codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL  
  • Addition of lab codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL  
  • Addition of radiation therapy codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL
  • Removal of lab codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Removal of radiology codes previously reviewed by EviCore
  • Addition of durable medical equipment codes to be reviewed by BCBSIL 

These changes for members of BCCHPSM begin April 1, 2026:

  • Change of a miscellaneous code reviewed by BCBSIL

For more information and code lists, refer to utilization management.

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

Even if prior authorization isn’t required, you still may want to submit a voluntary recommended clinical review request. This step can help avoid postservice medical necessity review. Checking eligibility and benefits can’t tell you when to request recommended clinical review, since it’s optional. But there’s a medical policy reference list on our recommended clinical review page to help you decide.

Services performed without required prior authorization or that do not meet medical necessity criteria may be denied for payment and the rendering provider may not seek reimbursement from the member.

 

CPT copyright 2024 American Medical Association. 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 BCBSIL. EviCore healthcare is an independent specialty medical benefits management company that provides utilization management services for BCBSIL. Carelon Medical Benefits Management (Carelon) is an independent company that has contracted with BCBSIL to provide utilization management services for members with coverage through BCBSIL.

BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.