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Policy Bulletin

March 2026 Policy Updates

 

Quick Overview

  • 4 new policies
    • Additionally, a new medical policy for Non-coverage of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis (700) will be published and effective on April 2, 2026.
  • 10 revised medical policies.
  • There are no archived policies this month.

New Policies

Category
Policy Title (Number)
Date
Summary of Change
Breast Cancer Screening Requirements When Additional Follow-Up is Needed
Policy #CR-102
01/01/2026
Created and published this new coding/reimbursement policy.
Disposable Endoscope
Policy #CR-104
01/01/2026
Created and published this new coding/reimbursement policy.
Genetic Testing
(see page 169)
Genetic Testing: Monogenic Diabetes
Policy #699
01/23/2026
Created and published this new medical policy.
Insertable Retrieval Device
Policy #CR-103
01/01/2026
Created and published this new coding/reimbursement policy.

Revised Policies

*Changes apply ONLY to Commercial plan policy UNLESS summary text appears in bold.

Category
Policy Title (Number)
Date
Summary of Change
Physical Medicine
(see page 3)
Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation
Policy #443
02/11/2026
Removed portion of requirement pertaining to Stroke in criterion #1-a: “Rehabilitation therapy must begin within 60 days from the onset of the stroke.”
Genetic Testing
(see page 28)
Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer Prognosis
Policy #544
02/06/2026
• Removed exclusion of the ArteraAI test and included this with other similar tests as qualifying for coverage when criteria are met. • Added exclusion of Decipher Prostate Metastatic Genomic Classifier test.
Genetic Testing
(see page 76)
Genetic Testing: Hereditary Peripheral Neuropathy
Policy #134
02/19/2026
Modified requirements in criteria section #3 header: “Select Health covers panel testing for an inherited peripheral neuropathy, which must include at least 5 of the following genes: PMP22, GJB1, MFN2, BSCL2, MPZ, REEP1, SPAST, SPG11, SPTLC1 and TTR, when the following criteria are met: ...”
Pulmonary
(see page 21)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2/HBOT)
Policy #129
02/04/2026
Modified treatment allowances in section on “Radionecrosis, soft tissue” to be: “40 treatments; up to an additional 20 treatments may be indicated, but requires MD review.”
Hysterectomy/ Oophorectomy
Policy #620
02/04/2026
Modified requirements in criterion #F-v (a−d) for clarification.
Physical Medicine
(see page 59)
Infusion Pumps (External or Implantable)
Policy #609
02/19/2026
Added the following clarification to criteria #B-2: “For the management of chronic pain**, when the following criteria are met: a. Treatment decisions are managed by a certified, physician pain specialist b. More conservative methods have failed; including (1−4): 1) Over-the-counter drugs (e.g., NSAIDS). 2) Physical therapy: Minimum of 12 visits within a 6-week period; must have been performed within the previous year. (It is recommended that at least four of the visits be performed in-person.) 3) Psychological/behavioral therapies. 4) Pain interventions are either contraindicated or have failed. **Requirements outlined in criteria #2-b (1−4) do not apply to cancer patients.”
General Surgery
(see page 76)
Liver Transplant – Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Policy #143
02/16/2026
Added qualifying factors for donors that may be considered for coverage to both criterion #B-1 (“The prospective donor is age > 18 and < 60 (selected patients over 60 years of age can be considered for donation)” and criterion #B-3d (“The prospective donor has a demonstrable, significant long-term relationship with the recipient [carefully selected Good Samaritan or non-directed donors are appropriate for donors].”)
Anesthesia
(see page 2)
Office-Based Anesthesia
Policy #641
02/16/2026
• Added Anesthesia Assistant to list of eligible providers in criteria section #1: “Select Health covers Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), when administered by an Anesthesiologist, Anesthesia Assistant, or a Nurse Anesthetist.” • Removed “restoration” from criterion #1-Aiv: “Lengthy restoration procedures for pediatric patients.”
General Surgery
(see page 150)
Small Bowel Transplant
Policy #640
02/19/2026
Added new criterion #7 as a qualifying factor for coverage: “Non-reconstructable gastrointestinal tract.”
Behavioral Health
(see page 28)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Psychiatric Disorders and Navigational Tool for Neurosurgery
Policy #241
01/20/2026
Changed age requirement from “Patient is ≥ 18 years of age” to “Patient is ≥ 15 years of age” for qualification of TMS.

Coding Updates

 

New Coding Editing System Coming in Q2 2026

Select Health will be transitioning to a new system that will better align our editing processes with standard coding practices and Select Health policies, ultimately improving edit consistency and accuracy. The new platform is expected to launch early in the second quarter of 2026.

 

Use Correct Coding for Faster Claims Payment

To support accurate and timely claims payment, it is essential to follow correct coding practices. This includes:

  • Selecting the appropriate modifiers
  • Reporting the correct number of units
  • Mapping each diagnosis code to the correct corresponding procedure code

The new editing system coming in 2026 will adhere to CMS requirements and established coding guidelines. Failure to comply with these standards may result in claim denials. By consistently applying these practices, we help ensure accurate claim processing and reduce the likelihood of denials or rework.

 

REMINDER: Updated Guidelines for Vitamin D Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) Laboratory Tests

Please be aware that the guidelines for Vitamin D Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) testing and Free Triiodothyronine (T3) testing have recently been updated.

To ensure accurate billing and appropriate use of laboratory services, make sure to review the current medical policy guidelines related to these tests and other applicable laboratory services.

You can access the updated medical policies in the Laboratory Utilization Policies booklet on the Select Health website.

 

Billing Best Practices for Laboratory Services

When billing for laboratory services, always ensure that you are selecting the most appropriate procedure code. Correct code selection supports accurate claims processing and helps prevent denials or payment delays.

Key Guideline: When a multianalyte test is performed using a single wet-lab procedure and no specific panel code is available, the service should be billed using: One (1) unit of CPT® 81479 (Unlisted molecular pathology procedure)

This approach ensures proper reporting when established panel codes do not exist for the performed testing.

For detailed guidance, refer to: Coding/Reimbursement Policy: Diagnostic Laboratory and Genetic Test [#CR-100]

Questions?

Contact us with any questions about the content of Select Health medical and coding/reimbursement policies.

Coding/Reimbursement Policies