Coverage Policies

Important! Please note:

Current policies effective through April 30, 2024.

Take me to policies effective May 1, 2024.

Use the index below to search for coverage information on specific medical conditions.

High-Tech Imaging: High-Tech Imaging services are administered by National Imaging Associates, Inc. (NIA). For coverage information and authorizations, click here.

Medical Providers: Payment for care or services is based on eligibility, medical necessity and available benefits at time of service and is subject to all contractual exclusions and limitations, including pre-existing conditions if applicable.

Future eligibility cannot be guaranteed and should be rechecked at time of service. Verify benefits by signing into My Account or calling Customer Service at 800.235.7111 or 501.228.7111.

QualChoice follows care guidelines published by MCG Health.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Providers (PDF)

QualChoice reserves the right to alter, amend, change or supplement medical policies as needed. QualChoice reviews and authorizes services and substances. CPT and HCPCS codes are listed as a convenience and any absent, new or changed codes do not alter the intent of the policy.

INDEX:



Effective Date: 11/01/2014	Title: Anesthesia Modifiers
Revision Date:	Document: BI455:00
CPT Code(s):
Public Statement
*Effective Date:* a) This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above revision date which will become the new effective date. b) For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply. Modifiers to CPT codes for anesthesia are designed to indicate either the severity of the patient’s underlying condition or the level of training or supervision of the physician or CRNA providing the service. This policy specifies how these modifiers will be processed by QualChoice.
Medical Statement
1) QualChoice will not cover anesthesiologist supervision of more than four concurrent procedures. Modifier AD will result in denial. 2) QK and QY describe anesthesiologist supervision of a CRNA performing anesthesia services. These modifiers pay at a reduced rate. 3) QX describes CRNA services that are supervised by an anesthesiologist. This modifier pays at a reduced rate. 4) Modifiers AA, QS, QZ, G8, and G9 do not influence payment. 5) Modifiers P1, P2, and P6 do not influence payment. Modifier P3 adds one unit, modifier P4 adds two units, and modifier P5 adds three units.
Application to Products
This policy applies to all health plans administered by QualChoice, both those insured by QualChoice and those that are self-funded by the sponsoring employer, unless there is indication in this policy otherwise or a stated exclusion in your medical plan booklet. Consult the individual plan sponsor Summary Plan Description (SPD) for self-insured plans or the specific Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for those plans insured by QualChoice. In the event of a discrepancy between this policy and a self-insured customer’s SPD or the specific QualChoice EOC, the SPD or EOC, as applicable, will prevail. State and federal mandates will be followed as they apply.
Changes: QualChoice reserves the right to alter, amend, change or supplement benefit interpretations as needed.

This policy has recently been updated. Please use the index above or enter policy title in search bar for the latest version.