31653 CPT® code: payer coverage and prior authorization1 of 1 payer prior-auth lists that name 31653 require prior authorization or set conditions: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
| Payer | Plan | State | Prior auth | Conditions | Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | Texas PA exemption (gold card), outpatient, fully insured | TX | prior auth required | Gold-card exemption available | Jul 1, 2026 | BCBSTX Outpatient Prior Authorization Exemption Clinical Guidelines (max units, PA exempt date range) |
31653 appears in 4 coverage policies from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross NC, Blue Shield of California.
| Payer | Policy | Role in policy | Reviewed | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Endoscopic Ultrasonography (0446) | covered if criteria are met (range 31652-31653) | Jul 22, 2026 | payer document |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | Endobronchial Ultrasound for Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer (715) | listed, no stance | payer document | |
| Blue Cross NC | Professional Pathology Billing Requirements AHS – R2169 | listed, no stance (range 3011F-3210F) | Mar 1, 2024 | payer document |
| Blue Shield of California | Endobronchial Ultrasound for Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer (6.01.58) | listed, no stance | payer document |
From payers' published prior-auth lists, coverage policies and state Medicaid fee schedules, updated Oct 16, 2026. The role is what the policy's own code table or text says about the code. Not a guarantee of coverage or payment; verify with the payer. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.