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33289

PAYER POLICY CHANGES

33289 Insurance Policy Changes

CPT 33289, in plain terms, covers Transcatheter implantation of a wireless pressure sensor in the pulmonary artery for long-term heart failure monitoring. CPT 33289 is referenced in 12 tracked payer policy changes from Humana, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and 4 other payers. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for CPT 33289 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Official descriptor: CPT 33289 on AAPC

Humana · Effective Nov 2, 2026Medium impact
Transcatheter and Device Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)
Humana's Medicare Advantage policy on transcatheter and device-based hemodynamic procedures (policy HUM-1045-011) was revised with an effective date of 11/02/2026. The change summary lists this revision as an annual review with no coverage change, so the existing position carries forward: Humana states that implanted IVC and left atrial pressure monitors, and the subcutaneous heart failure decompensation monitor, are not medically reasonable and necessary. Carotid sinus baroreflex therapy has stated clinical criteria, and renal denervation and pulmonary artery pressure sensors follow CMS national coverage determinations 20.40 and 20.36.
Humana · Effective Aug 3, 2026Medium impact
Transcatheter and Device-Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)
Humana Medicare Advantage updated its policy on transcatheter and device-based hemodynamic management procedures effective 08/03/2026. The policy clarifies coverage criteria for implantable carotid sinus baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) for heart failure, requires enrollment in approved IDE studies or strict clinical criteria including LVEF ≤35% and specific biomarker thresholds, and references CMS National Coverage Determinations for pulmonary artery pressure sensors and renal denervation procedures. All services must meet medical necessity standards and contraindication exclusions.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield · Effective Jun 15, 2026Medium impact
Heart Failure Management Devices - (Effective Date - 2026-06-15) 7.01.91
Effective June 15, 2026, heart failure management devices in the outpatient setting are considered investigational, including carotid baroreflex activation therapy (e.g., Barostim device), cardiac pressure sensor devices (e.g., CardioMEMS HF system and V-Lap), cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) devices (e.g., Optimizer Smart), and combined CCM with ICD devices (CCM-D) (e.g., Optimizer Integra CCM-D System). The February 19, 2026 annual review revised the policy statement to add baroreflex activation therapy devices as investigational, added a policy statement for CCM devices, added codes 0408T-0409T, 0915T-0916T and 0923T, and added code 64654 to replace code 0266T.
Humana · Effective May 1, 2026Medium impact
Transcatheter and Device-Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)
Humana Medicare Advantage has established new coverage criteria for implantable carotid sinus baroreflex activation therapy for heart failure and confirmed coverage follows CMS guidelines for pulmonary artery pressure sensors and renal denervation procedures. The policy excludes coverage for left atrial pressure monitoring and inferior vena cava hemodynamic monitoring devices.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island · Effective Nov 1, 2025Medium impact
Medical policy updates
BCBS Rhode Island has updated multiple policies with various effective dates from October 1 to December 1, 2025. Key changes include removing prior authorization for genomic testing codes 81450 and 81451, covering cardiac monitoring codes for Medicare Advantage, and shifting several DME codes to use online authorization tools instead of traditional medical policies.
Aetna · Identified Oct 2, 2026Medium impact
Cardiovascular Monitoring Equipment for Home Use: Pulse, Blood Pressure, Telemonitors, and Pacemaker Monitors (CPB 0548, reviewed 2026-08-21)
Aetna considers validated home blood pressure monitors medically necessary as an alternative to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to confirm hypertension in members age 18 and older with office readings greater than 140 systolic or 90 diastolic. Validated blood pressure monitors are considered medically necessary for members receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the home, and validated blood pressure cuffs are considered medically necessary durable medical equipment for members with hypertension. Self-contained pacemaker monitors, including audible and visible signal monitors, digital electronic monitors, and a specialized telephone attachment for trans-telephonic transmission of results, are considered medically necessary for members with cardiac pacemakers. Automated oscillometer serial blood pressure monitors for home use, AngelMed Guardian, CardioMEMS pillow and components, home and implantable congestive heart failure monitors, implantable inferior vena cava sensors, implantable wireless pulmonary artery pressure monitors for heart failure, Zoll Heart Failure and Arrhythmia Management System, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and non-invasive central blood pressure assessment with SphygmoCor are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven. Pulse tachometers do not meet Aetna's definition of covered durable medical equipment.
Aetna · Identified Oct 1, 2026Medium impact
Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments and Selected Indications of Prostanoids (CPB 0184, reviewed 2026-09-02)
Aetna considers epoprostenol (Flolan, Veletri, or generic epoprostenol injection), iloprost inhalation (Ventavis), treprostinil inhalation (Tyvaso), and treprostinil injection (Remodulin or generic treprostinil injection) medically necessary for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) when the initial approval criteria are met, and for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) for Tyvaso only. Aetna considers sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair) medically necessary for PAH in members 18 years of age and older when PAH is confirmed by right heart catheterization and the drug is used as add-on therapy alongside medications from at least two of the listed PAH drug classes. Continuation of these therapies is considered medically necessary for members who receive them through a previously authorized pharmacy or medical benefit and who show disease stability or disease improvement.
Aetna · Identified Aug 15, 2026Medium impact
Cardiovascular Monitoring Equipment for Home Use: Pulse, Blood Pressure, Telemonitors, and Pacemaker Monitors (CPB 0548, reviewed 2025-08-22)
Aetna considers validated home blood pressure monitors medically necessary as an alternative to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to confirm hypertension in members age 18 and older with office readings greater than 140 systolic or 90 diastolic, when the cuff is prescribed by a physician, is an arm device, has the correct cuff size assessed and provided by the vendor, and only one cuff per 5 years is considered medically necessary. Validated blood pressure monitors are also considered medically necessary for members receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the home, and self-contained pacemaker monitors are considered medically necessary for members with cardiac pacemakers. Pulse tachometers do not meet Aetna's definition of covered DME, and the following are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven: AngelMed Guardian, automated oscillometer serial blood pressure monitors for home use, bioelectrical impedance analysis, CardioMEMS, home congestive heart failure telemonitoring devices, implantable congestive heart failure monitors, the implantable inferior vena cava sensor, non-invasive central blood pressure assessment with the SphygmoCor System, and the Zoll Heart Failure and Arrhythmia Management System for monitoring pulmonary fluid levels. The bulletin is titled CPB 0548, reviewed 2025-08-22, with a last review of 08/21/2026.
Aetna · Identified Aug 14, 2026Medium impact
Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments and Selected Indications of Prostanoids (CPB 0184, reviewed 2025-09-08)
Aetna's commercial policy sets the criteria for epoprostenol (Flolan, Veletri), iloprost inhalation (Ventavis), treprostinil inhalation (Tyvaso) and treprostinil injection (Remodulin) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1), with Tyvaso also covered for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD, WHO Group 3) when criteria are met. Sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair) is covered for members 18 years of age and older with PAH when they meet its add-on criteria, and atrial septostomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty are covered for refractory severe PAH with right heart failure. Aetna considers pulmonary artery hypertension drugs experimental for pulmonary hypertension secondary to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, ischemic vascular disease or lung resection.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi · Identified Jun 20, 2026Medium impact
Cardiac Hemodynamic Monitoring for the Management of Heart Failure in the Outpatient Setting
In the ambulatory care and outpatient setting, cardiac hemodynamic monitoring for heart failure is considered investigational when it uses implantable direct pressure monitoring of the pulmonary artery, thoracic bioimpedance, inert gas rebreathing, and arterial pressure during the Valsalva maneuver. This policy applies only to stand-alone cardiac output measurement devices for ambulatory and outpatient use, and monitors integrated into implantable cardiac devices are addressed in the Biventricular Pacemakers (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) for the Treatment of Heart Failure policy. The policy description was updated on 09/21/2026, and the policy statement is unchanged.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island · Identified Jun 20, 2026Medium impact
January 2019
Effective April 1, 2019, the provider taxonomy code must be submitted on all claims. Reported as already effective in the historical source, Medicare Advantage claims for out-of-network payments require the Health Trio referral number in box 23 of the CMS-1500 form. January 2019 CPT and HCPCS code changes are effective January 1, 2019, and the code lists carry coverage designations such as Subject to Medical Review, Not Medically Necessary, Not Separately Reimbursed and Not Covered.
Premera Blue Cross · Identified Jun 18, 2026Medium impact
Medical Policy and Coding Updates - January 2019
Effective January 1, 2019, Tisagenlecleucel code Q2042 and breast MRI codes 77046, 77047, 77048 and 77049 are now reviewed by AIM Specialty Health and require prior authorization, and A9584 (iodine I-123 ioflupane) is now reviewed for medical necessity and requires prior authorization. Breast MRI codes 77058 and 77059 are no longer reviewed by AIM Specialty Health, and the CAR-T codes 0537T through 0540T are listed as not reviewed and noncovered. Effective January 4, 2019, a long list of genetic testing codes beginning with 81120 and 81121 is now reviewed by AIM Specialty Health and requires prior authorization.

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REFERENCE DATA

Payers with rules16

Payers requiring prior auth16

Aetna · Effective November 1, 2026
Prior authorization required
Participating provider precertification list for Aetna
Anthem BCBS · Effective November 1, 2026
Prior authorization required
Anthem Local PPO Precertification/Prior Authorization List (California | Anthem Blue Cross | Commercial)
BCBS Michigan · Effective October 13, 2026
Prior authorization required in some cases
BCBSM and BCN procedure codes for which providers must request prior authorization (commercial lines)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Aetna require prior authorization for 33289?

Aetna lists 33289 on Participating provider precertification list for Aetna for commercial plans (list dated November 1, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does Ambetter require prior authorization for 33289?

Ambetter lists 33289 on Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health CMS-0057-F prior authorization requirements for exchange plans (list dated December 31, 2025). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does Anthem BCBS require prior authorization for 33289?

Anthem BCBS lists 33289 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 Arizona Complete Health require prior authorization for 33289?

Arizona Complete Health lists 33289 on Arizona Complete Health CMS-0057-F prior authorization requirements for medicaid managed plans (list dated December 31, 2025). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

Does BCBS Illinois require prior authorization for 33289?

BCBS Illinois lists 33289 on 2026 Commercial Outpatient Medical Surgical Prior Authorization Codes for commercial plans, with conditions (list dated January 1, 2026). Verify with the payer before scheduling.

What insurance policy changes affect CPT 33289?

There are 12 tracked policy changes affecting CPT 33289, including updates from Humana, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for CPT 33289?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for CPT 33289 include: Humana, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Aetna, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Premera Blue Cross.

How do I get notified when CPT 33289 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to CPT 33289. 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 33289?

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.

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All billing codes J3590 C9399 J3490 99215 99213 99202

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Transcatheter and Device Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)

Transcatheter and Device-Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)

Heart Failure Management Devices - (Effective Date - 2026-06-15) 7.01.91

Transcatheter and Device-Based Hemodynamic Management Procedures - Medicare Advantage (Revised)

Medical policy updates

Cardiovascular Monitoring Equipment for Home Use: Pulse, Blood Pressure, Telemonitors, and Pacemaker Monitors (CPB 0548, reviewed 2026-08-21)

Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments and Selected Indications of Prostanoids (CPB 0184, reviewed 2026-09-02)

Cardiovascular Monitoring Equipment for Home Use: Pulse, Blood Pressure, Telemonitors, and Pacemaker Monitors (CPB 0548, reviewed 2025-08-22)

Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments and Selected Indications of Prostanoids (CPB 0184, reviewed 2025-09-08)

Cardiac Hemodynamic Monitoring for the Management of Heart Failure in the Outpatient Setting

January 2019

Medical Policy and Coding Updates - January 2019

Prior authorization required