MedicaidCoverageHigh impact
Bronchial Thermoplasty (for North Carolina Only)
UnitedHealthcare·NC · Pulmonology·Medical Policy
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026
We identified it
Oct 3, 2026
Summary
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina has updated its Bronchial Thermoplasty policy, effective October 1, 2026. CPT codes 31660 and 31661 are now noted as NOT on the North Carolina Medicaid Fee Schedule and therefore may not be covered by the State of North Carolina Medicaid Program. The policy also updated clinical evidence and references to reflect current information.
Action Required
By October 1, 2026: Billing team must update all systems to flag CPT codes 31660 and 31661 as non-covered under UnitedHealthcare Community Plan North Carolina Medicaid. Add blocking rules in billing software to prevent claims submission for these codes to this plan in NC. Update denial protocols to explain that these codes are not on the NC Medicaid Fee Schedule. Notify providers and clinical staff that Bronchial Thermoplasty procedures cannot be billed to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan NC Medicaid. Claims submitted for these codes will be denied as non-covered services.