33978 CPT® code: payer coverage and prior authorization2 of 2 payer prior-auth lists that name 33978 require prior authorization or set conditions: Aetna.
| Payer | Plan | State | Prior auth | Conditions | Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Commercial | All | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2026 | Participating provider precertification list for Aetna® | |
| Aetna | Medicare Advantage | All | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2026 | Participating provider precertification list for Aetna® |
33978 appears in 20 coverage policies from Aetna, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Shield of California, Centene, Regence.
| Payer | Policy | Role in policy | Reviewed | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Anesthetic and Antiemetic Infusion Pumps (0607) | listed, no stance (range 33016-37799) | Sep 9, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Bupivacaine Liposome (Exparel) (0941) | listed, no stance (range 33010-37799) | Jul 30, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Cardiovascular Ultrafiltration (0741) | listed, no stance (range 33010-37790) | Oct 30, 2025 | payer document |
| Aetna | Cryoanalgesia and Therapeutic Cold (0297) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33999) | Apr 14, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Functional Electrical Stimulation and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (0677) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33999) | Sep 10, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Heart Transplantation (0586) | listed, no stance | Sep 11, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Inpatient Admission Prior to Surgery (Preop Days) (0255) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33980) | May 13, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Intravenous Iron Therapy (0575) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33999) | Jul 1, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (0334) | listed, no stance (range 33016-37799) | Jun 8, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Nerve Blocks (0863) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33999) | Jul 23, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Nitric Oxide, Inhalational (INO) (0518) | not covered (range 33016-37790) | Jul 2, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Palivizumab (Synagis) (0318) | listed, no stance (range 33946-33986) | Aug 21, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Procalcitonin (PCT) (0771) | listed, no stance (range 33016-33997) | Nov 13, 2025 | payer document |
| Aetna | Stereolithographic Models and Implants (0613) | listed, no stance (range 33010-37790) | Sep 3, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Ventricular Assist Devices (0654) | covered if criteria are met | Sep 10, 2026 | payer document |
| Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi | Total Artificial Hearts And Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices | covered if criteria are met | payer document | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | Total Artificial Hearts and Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices (280) | listed, no stance | payer document | |
| Blue Shield of California | Total Artificial Hearts and Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices (7.03.11) | listed, no stance | payer document | |
| Centene | Ventricular Assist Devices (CP.MP.46) | covered if criteria are met | Nov 1, 2025 | payer document |
| Regence | Ventricular Assist Devices and Total Artificial Hearts (Surgery 52) | listed, no stance | Jan 1, 2026 | 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.