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PAYER POLICY CHANGES

33281 Insurance Policy Changes

CPT 33281, in plain terms, covers Repositioning of a transvenous stimulation or sensing lead of a phrenic nerve stimulation system. CPT 33281 is referenced in 5 tracked payer policy changes from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Humana, and 1 other payer. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for CPT 33281 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Official descriptor: CPT 33281 on AAPC

Watch 33281

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REFERENCE DATA

Payers with rules5
Payers requiring prior auth5
  • Anthem BCBS · Effective November 1, 2026

    Prior authorization required

    Anthem Local PPO Precertification/Prior Authorization List (California | Anthem Blue Cross | Commercial)

  • BCBS Arizona · Effective October 1, 2026

    Prior authorization required

    AZ Blue Standard Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (Updated 10/01/2026)

  • CountyCare Health Plan · Effective April 23, 2026

    Prior authorization required

    CountyCare Prior Authorization Look-Up Tool (All Codes)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Anthem BCBS require prior authorization for 33281?

Anthem BCBS lists 33281 on Anthem Local PPO Precertification/Prior Authorization List (California | Anthem Blue Cross | Commercial) for commercial plans (list dated November 1, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does BCBS Arizona require prior authorization for 33281?

BCBS Arizona lists 33281 on AZ Blue Standard Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (Updated 10/01/2026) for commercial plans (list dated October 1, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does Centene require prior authorization for 33281?

Centene lists 33281 on Sunshine Health Title XIX, Title XXI, Managed Medical Assistance CMS-0057-F prior authorization requirements for medicaid managed plans (list dated December 31, 2025). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does CountyCare Health Plan require prior authorization for 33281?

CountyCare Health Plan lists 33281 on CountyCare Prior Authorization Look-Up Tool (All Codes) for medicaid managed plans (list dated April 23, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does Elevance Health require prior authorization for 33281?

Elevance Health lists 33281 on List of items and services that require prior authorization (Elevance CMS-0057-F list) for medicare advantage plans (list dated February 11, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

What insurance policy changes affect CPT 33281?

There are 5 tracked policy changes affecting CPT 33281, including updates from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Humana, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for CPT 33281?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for CPT 33281 include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Humana, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi.

How do I get notified when CPT 33281 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to CPT 33281. You will get an email when new policy changes reference this code: daily or weekly, your choice, on every plan.

Why do payers change policies for CPT 33281?

Payers revise policies for individual billing codes to align with updated clinical guidelines, CMS rule changes, fraud and abuse prevention measures, or network cost-management goals. Changes can affect medical necessity criteria, place-of-service restrictions, bundling rules, or whether a code requires prior authorization.

See every payer rule for 33281

Prior authorization lists, coverage criteria, NCCI edits and Medicare coverage articles for 33281 in one place.

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