North Carolina Medicaid: Prior authorization updates for specialty pharmacy medications
Effective date
Dec 1, 2025
Identified
Jan 12, 2026
Summary
Starting December 1, 2025, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in North Carolina will require prior authorization for 10 specialty gene and cell therapy medications. Some therapies require contacting Optum Transplant Services directly at 888-805-1802 instead of using the standard portal.
Get alerts when payers change rules like this one
We check UnitedHealthcare and other payers every day and email you when a change matches your specialty and state.
01Before December 1, 2025: Update billing system to require prior authorization for the 10 listed specialty gene/cell therapy HCPCS codes.
02Train staff that Casgevy, Lenmeldy, Lyfgenia, Skysona, and Zynteglo require calling Optum Transplant Services at 888-805-1802 instead of using the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal.
03All other therapies use standard portal submission.
04Prior authorization must be obtained before service date or claims will be denied and providers cannot balance bill members.
Summaries are AI-assisted. Always confirm against the original payer notice.
What is PolicyChanges
One workspace for payer rules, prior auth, coding and compliance
Medical practices use PolicyChanges to catch payer changes before they cause denials. Every change is summarized in plain English, with the codes involved, the date it takes effect and what to do.