What insurance policy changes affect CPT 70496?

There are 5 tracked policy changes affecting CPT 70496, including updates from Aetna, Kansas Medicaid (KanCare). Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for CPT 70496?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for CPT 70496 include: Aetna, Kansas Medicaid (KanCare).

How do I get notified when CPT 70496 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to CPT 70496. You will receive a daily digest email whenever a new policy change references this code.

Why do payers change policies for CPT 70496?

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.

70496 — A CT scan of the head's blood vessels using contrast dye to check for blockages or abnormalities.: Insurance Policy Changes

70496 Insurance Policy Changes

CPT 70496, in plain terms, covers A CT scan of the head's blood vessels using contrast dye to check for blockages or abnormalities. CPT 70496 is referenced in 5 tracked payer policy changes from Aetna and Kansas Medicaid (KanCare). For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for CPT 70496 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Medium impact

Smell and Taste Disorders: Diagnosis (CPB 0390, reviewed 2026-05-26)

Aetna·Effective May 26, 2026

Aetna has updated its Clinical Policy Bulletin (CPB 0390) on smell and taste disorder diagnosis, effective 2026-05-26. The policy clarifies covered diagnostic procedures (including standardized olfactory/gustatory tests, imaging, biopsies, and consultations), specifies that only an initial and one follow-up visit are medically necessary, and lists specific tests/procedures classified as experimental/investigational (including electrogustometry, genotyping, and COVID-19 specific MRI). Billing teams must ensure claims for smell/taste disorder workup comply with the visit limitation and do not include experimental procedures.

70496 Insurance Policy Changes

Cerebrovascular Angioplasty, Stenting, and Select Surgical Procedures (CPB 0276, reviewed 2026-06-05)

Cerebral Perfusion Studies (CPB 0663, reviewed 2026-04-14)

KMAP BULLETIN: Computed Tomographic Angiography Head and Neck Coverage

Tourette's Syndrome (CPB 0480, reviewed 2026-07-24)

Smell and Taste Disorders: Diagnosis (CPB 0390, reviewed 2026-05-26)