What insurance policy changes affect code Z20.822?

There are 3 tracked policy changes affecting code Z20.822, including updates from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Colorado Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. Each change may modify coverage criteria, reimbursement rates, or prior-authorization requirements.

Which payers have updated policy for code Z20.822?

Payers that have issued tracked updates for code Z20.822 include: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Colorado Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming.

How do I get notified when code Z20.822 policy changes?

Create a free account at PolicyChanges.app and save a search filtered to code Z20.822. 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 code Z20.822?

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.

PAYER POLICY CHANGES

Z20.822 Insurance Policy Changes

ICD-10 Z20.822 is officially defined as "Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19." code Z20.822 is referenced in 3 tracked payer policy changes from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Colorado Medicaid, and 1 other payer. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for code Z20.822 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi · Identified Jun 20, 2026Medium impact
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi covers FDA-approved COVID-19 RT-PCR testing using an upper respiratory specimen when it is medically appropriate for individuals with signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 without an alternative explanatory diagnosis. The same testing is medically appropriate for asymptomatic individuals with known or suspected recent exposure when their provider determines it is appropriate, and before elective surgeries and procedures involving the mouth, nose, oropharynx, nasopharynx, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or requiring general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care (MAC). COVID-19 RT-PCR testing not approved by the FDA, including any test authorized under an EUA, is considered investigational, and FDA-approved testing performed for screening of asymptomatic individuals is considered not medically necessary. The policy was reviewed on 07/01/2026 with statements unchanged, and the code reference was updated to remove CPT codes 0240U and 0241U.
Colorado Medicaid · Identified Jun 20, 2026Medium impact
Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) News and Updates (B2200475 - 02/2022)
The February 2022 Health First Colorado provider bulletin (B2200475) covers several changes. Effective February 1, 2022, claims requiring electronic visit verification (EVV) go through pre-payment review, and claims without the needed EVV records may deny with EOB 3054. The bulletin also describes at-home OTC COVID-19 test billing under HCPCS E1399 with modifier U1 from January 15, 2022, requires the ordering provider's NPI on DMEPOS claims effective July 1, 2022, and notes that 24 physician-administered drug codes became subject to prior authorization effective January 18, 2022.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming · Identified Jun 19, 2026Medium impact
NEW! Screening for COVID-19 Diagnosis Guidance
BCBS Wyoming has updated COVID-19 diagnostic testing coding guidance with new ICD-10 codes and clarified coverage rules. The policy specifies that asymptomatic and pre-surgical COVID-19 testing is covered when medically appropriate, but not for return-to-work or surveillance purposes.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing

Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) News and Updates (B2200475 - 02/2022)

NEW! Screening for COVID-19 Diagnosis Guidance

What insurance policy changes affect code Z20.822?

Which payers have updated policy for code Z20.822?

How do I get notified when code Z20.822 policy changes?

Why do payers change policies for code Z20.822?