Posted in #reimbursement, HealthFirst, NY Providers, Prior Authorization Insurance Carrier Updates

Healthfirst removes some procedures off the prior auth list (2026)

For any DOS on Jan 1, 2026 and there after, Healthfirst will remove prior auth requirenment from the EviCore prior auth list.

Image via Healthfirst website

Please remember that member benefits (coverage vs non coverage) still applies.


Find this type of information useful? Follow my blog for more!


Posted in #Medicareadvantage, #unitedhealthcare, NY Providers, Prior Authorization Insurance Carrier Updates

UHC to remove prior auth for some radiology and cardiology tests.

Starting Jan 1, 2026 certain nuclear imaging tests, OBGYN ultrasounds, and certain cardiology tests will no longer require a prior authorization for some of the  following plan types:

1.UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
2.UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic, inc. 
3.UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc. and 4.UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley
5.Oxford Health Insurance, Inc.
United Healthcare Level Funded (formerly All Savers Life Insurance Company of California)
6.Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc.
7.UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange plans, also referred to as UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family ACA Marketplace plans
8.UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc.
9.UnitedHealthcare Community Plans

Some of the affected codes are:

Image via UHC website

For a full list of affected codes please click here: https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/2025/removal-prior-auth-radiology-cardiology.html


Find this content useful? Follow my Blog!


Posted in #aetna, #Medicare, #Medicareadvantage

Aetna Reimbursement Policy: Radiology Modifiers

According to provider October updates: Aetna will reduce the reimbursement rate for HCPCS radiology codes when modifiers FX and FY are appended.

Modifier FX: the reimbursement rate will be reduced by 20% for the technical component and the (technical component of a global fee) Definition: x-ray images taken by using film

Modifier FY: the reimbursement rate will be reduced by 10% for the technical component and the (technical component of the global fee) Definition: computed radiography X-ray)

Effective for any DOS on or after 1/1/2024.

Type of plans affected: commercial and Medicare lines of business plan types.