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BlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaAll Plans · Billing Codes · Medical Policy · SC · Pathology, Genetics, Oncology +6 moreHigh impact

2026 July Medical Policy Updates

Effective date
Jul 1, 2026
Identified
Sep 1, 2026

Summary

Several coding changes in BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's July 2026 policy updates are effective 07/01/2026, including CPT codes 0598U, 0657U and 0658U added and codes 0029U, 0031U and 0423U deleted. The cervical spine policy (CAM 142) and lumbar spine policy (CAM 161) add a negative nicotine lab test requirement for smokers prior to spine surgery approval, and CAM 161 adds that axial low back pain alone is a contraindication for multi-level lumbar fusion. CAM 266 removes the exome and genome sequencing allowances for epilepsy and moves them to CAM 291.

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What to do

Action · 2 steps
01Already effective 07/01/2026: Billing team: Review the CPT codes added or deleted under CAM 218, CAM 251, CAM 258 and CAM 318, including 0034U, 0650U, 0652U, 0657U, 0658U, 0598U, 0029U, 0031U and 0423U, and check current applicability before billing them.
02For spine surgery under CAM 142 or CAM 161, confirm a negative nicotine lab test is documented for a smoking patient before spine surgery approval is requested.

Codes mentioned

A9590E0761814708254283789875168751787798877998759487638814158141681425814268295064530

Original notice

2026 July Medical Policy Updates
southcarolinablues.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina changes →
2026 August Medical Policy UpdatesMediumNo effective date · Medical Policy2025 June Medical Policy UpdatesLowEffective Jul 1, 2025 · Medical Policy2025 August Medical Policy UpdatesMediumEffective Oct 1, 2025 · Medical Policy2026 June Medical Policy UpdatesMediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyBrowse every BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina change in the policy list

Related policy hubs

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina policiesSC policy changesPathologyGeneticsOncologyOB-GYNNeurologyNeurosurgeryHematologyGastroenterologyOrthopedicsCode A9590Code E0761Code 81470Code 82542Code 83789Code 87516Code 87517Code 87798Code 87799Code 87594Code 87638Code 81415Code 81416Code 81425Code 81426Code 82950Code 64530

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