CommercialBilling CodesMedium impact
11.00.16k, Ablation of Lung Tumors
Independence Blue Cross·PA · Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pulmonology, Oncology +2 more·Medical Policy
Effective date
Jan 1, 2026
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Independence Blue Cross reissued Policy 11.00.16k on lung tumor ablation effective 01/01/2026 with updates to CPT code 0600T narrative and termination of HCPCS code C9751. The policy maintains coverage for radiofrequency ablation, cryosurgical ablation, and microwave ablation under specific medical necessity criteria, while designating pulsed electric field ablation as experimental/investigational.
Action Required
By 12/31/2025: Billing team must update billing software to reflect CPT code 0600T narrative changes and remove or flag HCPCS code C9751 as terminated effective 01/01/2026. Verify that CPT codes 31641, 32994, and 32998 are configured as medically necessary with appropriate medical necessity validation. Ensure HCPCS code C8005 (pulsed electric field ablation) is marked as experimental/investigational and will generate automatic denials or prior authorization requests. Update claim submission protocols to include required thoracic surgeon evaluation documentation for RFA and cryosurgical ablation cases. Training: Instruct providers and coders that all lung ablation procedures require comprehensive thoracic surgeon evaluation documenting inoperability or poor surgical candidacy. Claims submitted after 01/01/2026 using terminated code C9751 will be denied; redirect to appropriate active codes.