Back to dashboard
CommercialPrior AuthHigh impact

Medical/Pharmacy Policy Updates Effective 12/15/2026

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska·NE · Rheumatology, Oncology, Hematology +2 more·Pharmacy
Effective date
Dec 15, 2026
We identified it
Sep 11, 2026
Days to comply
91 days

Summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) has implemented a new step therapy requirement for six biologic drug classes effective 12/15/2026. Patients on non-preferred products (biosimilars and brand-name biologics) now require prior authorization and documented evidence of contraindication, intolerance, or failure to a preferred product before coverage. This affects denosumab, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab, and trastuzumab products across all patient populations.

Action Required

Before Dec 15, 2026
By 12/15/2026: Billing and clinical teams must implement the following changes: (1) Update billing system to flag ALL claims for the non-preferred biologic products listed in policy MPC X.242 (HCPCS codes Q5162, Q5136, Q5157, Q5161, Q5167, Q5171, Q5166, Q5173, Q5159, Q5121, Q5103, Q5104, Q5119, Q5115, Q5123, Q5135, Q5156, Q5117, Q5116, Q5113, Q5146, Q5114, Q5112, and J-codes J0897, J1745, J9312, J9311, J3262, J3590, J9355, J9356) as requiring prior authorization for BCBSNE plans; (2) Establish a prior authorization workflow that REQUIRES providers to document one of the following BEFORE claim submission: patient contraindication to preferred product, documented intolerance, or documented clinical failure; (3) For new-start AND established patients, step therapy requirements apply equally; (4) Update encounter templates and order entry systems to prompt providers to attach step therapy documentation at time of prescribing; (5) Train billing staff to deny and return claims lacking required step therapy documentation. Claims submitted without prior authorization and step therapy evidence will be denied for non-preferred products.

Affected Billing Codes

Q5162
Q5136
Q5157
Q5161
Q5167
Q5171
Q5166
Q5173
Q5159
J0897
Q5121
Q5103
J1745
Q5104
Q5119
Q5115
Q5123
J9312
J9311
Q5135
Q5156
J3262
J3590
Q5117
Q5116
Q5113
J9355
Q5146
Q5114
Q5112
J9356