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MedicaidPrior AuthHigh impact

[California] Prior authorization requirement changes

Anthem BCBS·CA · Wound Care, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery +4 more·Provider Bulletin
Effective date
Jan 1, 2027
We identified it
Sep 29, 2026
Days to comply
65 days

Summary

Effective January 1, 2027, Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal Managed Care is adding prior authorization requirements for 80+ billing codes covering advanced wound care products (skin substitutes, dermal matrices, grafts), neurostimulator generators, prosthetic components, and related procedures. Billing team must update systems to require precertification before submitting claims for these codes, or claims will be denied.

Action Required

Before Jan 1, 2027
By December 31, 2026: Billing team must update billing software and prior authorization workflows to require precertification/prior authorization for all 80+ codes listed above when billing Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal Managed Care members. Update encounter forms and provider order entry systems to flag these codes for mandatory prior auth submission before claims are processed. Establish procedure to submit prior auth requests through Availity Essentials or via phone to Medi-Cal Customer Care Center. Train all billing staff and providers on the new requirements. Communicate with wound care, orthopedic, neurosurgery, and general surgery providers that these materials and devices now require precertification. Failure to obtain prior authorization will result in claim denials and service deemed ineligible for payment.

Affected Billing Codes

A2036
A2037
A2038
A2039
A2040
A2041
A2042
A2043
A2044
A2045
C1826
C1827
G0681
G0682
G0683
G0684
L5992
Q4182
Q4368
Q4370
Q4371
Q4372
Q4373
Q4375
Q4376
Q4377
Q4378
Q4379
Q4380
Q4382
Q4383
Q4384
Q4385
Q4386
Q4387
Q4388
Q4389
Q4390
Q4392
Q4393
Q4394
Q4395
Q4396
Q4397
Q4398
Q4399
Q4400
Q4401
Q4402
Q4403
Q4404
Q4405
Q4406
Q4407
Q4408
Q4409
Q4410
Q4411
Q4412
Q4413
Q4414
Q4415
Q4416
Q4417
Q4418
Q4419
Q4420
Q4421
Q4422
Q4423
Q4424
Q4425
Q4426
Q4427
Q4428
Q4429
Q4435
Q4436
Q4437