72129 CPT® code: payer coverage and prior authorization

Payer policies and prior authorization for 72129

64 of 64 payer prior-auth lists that name 72129 require prior authorization or set conditions: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Cigna, HealthSpring, Humana, Molina Complete Care (Virginia), Molina Healthcare of Arizona, Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Molina Healthcare of Idaho, Molina Healthcare of Illinois, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, and others.

PayerPlanStatePrior authConditionsSinceSource
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue)AZ Blue-administered Medicare Advantage (M2K)AZprior auth requiredSep 1, 2026AZ Blue Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (Effective 09/01/2026)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue)Federal Employee Program (FEP)AZprior auth under conditionsFEP Blue Focus onlySep 1, 2026Federal Employee Program (FEP) Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (Updated 09/01/2026)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue)Standard PA code list (most commercial plans)AZprior auth under conditionseviCore-delegated groups only; Gold-card eligibleSep 1, 2026AZ Blue Standard Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (09/01/2026)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue)State of Arizona employee group (SYD, S3Z)AZprior auth requiredGold-card eligibleSep 1, 2026State of Arizona Group Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (09/01/2026)
Blue Shield of California Promise Health PlanPromise Health Plan Medi-CalCAprior auth requiredSep 1, 2026Medi-Cal Prior Authorization List
AetnaCommercialAllprior auth requiredNot required for Student Health or Allina Health | Aetna plans; Not required inpatient, in the ER or in observationOct 1, 2026Participating provider precertification list for Aetna®
AetnaMedicare AdvantageAllprior auth requiredNot required for Student Health or Allina Health | Aetna plans; Not required inpatient, in the ER or in observationOct 1, 2026Participating provider precertification list for Aetna®
CignaACA/IFPAllprior auth requiredMay be delegated to eviCore for some clientsOct 1, 2006Master Precertification List (For Health Care Providers)
CignaComplete/PHS+/PreferredAllprior auth requiredMay be delegated to eviCore for some clientsOct 1, 2006Master Precertification List (For Health Care Providers)
CignaRadiologyAllprior auth requiredMar 7, 2026Cigna Commercial Comprehensive CPT Code Reference for Prior Authorization Across All Programs
CignaRadiologyAllprior auth requiredMar 7, 2026Cigna Commercial Prior Authorization Procedure Code List: Radiology
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IllinoisBlue Cross Community Health Plans (BCCHP), Illinois MedicaidILprior auth requiredCarelon-managedAug 1, 2025Illinois Medicaid Prior Authorization Code List, Effective 10/1/2026
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IllinoisBlue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative)ILprior auth requiredeviCore-managedJan 1, 2025Procedure Code List, Effective 1/1/2025
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New MexicoTurquoise Care (New Mexico Medicaid)NMprior auth requiredCarelon-managedJan 1, 2021New Mexico Medicaid Benefit Preauthorization Procedure Code List 10/1/26
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of TexasTexas PA exemption (gold card), outpatient, fully insuredTXprior auth requiredGold-card exemption availableJul 1, 2026BCBSTX Outpatient Prior Authorization Exemption Clinical Guidelines (max units, PA exempt date range)
HealthSpringMedicare AdvantageAllprior auth requiredJan 1, 20252026 Q4 Prior Authorization List
HumanaHumana Healthy HorizonsKYprior auth requiredJan 1, 2027please visit Humana Healthy Horizons in Kentucky Clinical coverage policies.
HumanaHumana Healthy HorizonsSCprior auth requiredJan 1, 2027Humana Healthy Horizons in South Carolina Prior authorization and Notification List The following list describes services and medications that are commonly reviewed and may require additional clinical
HumanaHumana Healthy HorizonsVAprior auth requiredJan 1, 2027Humana Healthy Horizons in Virginia Prior Authorization and Notification List (PAL)
HumanaOak Street HealthAllprior auth requiredOak Street Health (Humana): Prior Authorization List (PAL) Codes Under Management
Molina Complete Care (Virginia)Medicare-only PA matrix for D-SNPVAprior auth requiredJan 1, 2022Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Virginia), effective Q1 2022
Molina Complete Care (Virginia)MedicaidVAprior auth requiredApr 1, 2025Virginia Medicaid PA Code Matrix and Virginia code/benefit exceptions, effective Q2 2025
Molina Healthcare of ArizonaMedicare-only PA matrix for D-SNPAZprior auth requiredJan 1, 2022Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Arizona), effective Q1 2022
Molina Healthcare of CaliforniaMedicare AdvantageCAprior auth requiredJul 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (California), effective Q3 2021
Molina Healthcare of CaliforniaMedicaidCAprior auth requiredApr 1, 2026Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (California), effective Q2 2026
Molina Healthcare of FloridaMedicare AdvantageFLprior auth requiredvendor review only eviCore in IL/MI/OH/NY/WIApr 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Florida), effective Q2 2021
Molina Healthcare of IdahoMedicare AdvantageIDprior auth requiredvendor review only eviCore in IL/MI/OH/NY/WIApr 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Idaho), effective Q2 2021
Molina Healthcare of IdahoMedicaidIDprior auth requiredJan 1, 2025Idaho Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix and Idaho code/benefit exceptions, Q1 2025
Molina Healthcare of IllinoisMedicaidILprior auth requiredJan 1, 2022Molina Healthcare of Illinois Codification Grid Q3 2026
Molina Healthcare of IowaMedicaidIAprior auth requiredJul 1, 2023IA Prior Authorization Matrix, effective Q3 2023
Molina Healthcare of MichiganMedicaidMIprior auth requiredJul 1, 2026Molina Healthcare of Michigan PA Matrix 2026-Q3
Molina Healthcare of MichiganExchangeMIprior auth requiredContact eviCore for PAJul 1, 2021Molina Healthcare of Michigan PA Matrix, effective 7/1/2021
Molina Healthcare of MichiganMedicare AdvantageMIprior auth requiredJul 1, 2026Molina Healthcare of Michigan PA Matrix 2026-Q3
Molina Healthcare of MississippiMedicaidMSprior auth requiredJan 1, 2025Mississippi Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix and exceptions, effective Q1 2025
Molina Healthcare of NevadaMedicaidNVprior auth requiredOct 1, 2022Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix, effective Q4 2022
Molina Healthcare of New MexicoMedicare AdvantageNMprior auth requiredJan 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (New Mexico), effective Q1 2021
Molina Healthcare of New MexicoMedicaidNMprior auth requiredJul 1, 2026New Mexico Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix, effective July 1, 2026
Molina Healthcare of OhioMedicaid and MyCare Ohio (MMP) MedicaidOHprior auth requiredOct 1, 2023Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01
Molina Healthcare of OhioMedicare and MyCare Ohio (MMP) MedicareOHprior auth requiredOct 1, 2023Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01
Molina Healthcare of OhioExchangeOHprior auth requiredOct 1, 2023Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01
Molina Healthcare of South CarolinaMedicare AdvantageSCprior auth requiredApr 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (South Carolina), effective Q2 2021
Molina Healthcare of TexasSTARTXprior auth requiredFeb 19, 2025Molina Healthcare of Texas Prior Authorization Annual Review Report (STAR), reviewed 2025-02-19
Molina Healthcare of TexasSTAR+PLUSTXprior auth requiredFeb 19, 2025Molina Healthcare of Texas Prior Authorization Annual Review Report (STAR+PLUS), reviewed 2025-02-19
Molina Healthcare of TexasSTAR, STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids, CHIP (Medicaid PA code matrix)TXprior auth requiredJul 1, 2026Medicaid Behavioral Health and Medical Prior Authorization (PA) Code Matrix (Texas), 2026-Q3
Molina Healthcare of TexasExchangeTXprior auth requiredSep 1, 2019Marketplace Prior Authorization (PA) Code Matrix (Texas), effective July 1, 2026
Molina Healthcare of UtahMedicaidUTprior auth requiredJan 1, 2025Utah Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix and Utah code/benefit exceptions, Q1 2025
Molina Healthcare of UtahMedicare AdvantageUTprior auth requiredvendor review only eviCore in IL/MI/OH/NY/WIApr 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Utah), effective Q2 2021
Molina Healthcare of WashingtonMedicare AdvantageWAprior auth requiredvendor review only eviCore in IL/MI/OH/NY/WIApr 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Washington), effective Q2 2021
Molina Healthcare of WisconsinMedicare AdvantageWIprior auth requiredOct 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Wisconsin), effective Q4 2021
Molina Healthcare, Inc. (national grid)Molina national (MHI) Medicare gridAllprior auth requiredOct 1, 2021Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (national), effective Q4 2021
Passport by Molina Healthcare (Kentucky)MedicaidKYprior auth requiredJul 1, 2026Kentucky Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix and Kentucky PA Code Exceptions, effective Q3 2026
Oxford Health PlansOxford Health PlansAllprior auth requiredOct 1, 2026Prior Authorization Requirements for Oxford Effective October 1, 2026
Rocky Mountain Health PlansRocky Mountain Health Plans CHP+COprior auth requiredOct 1, 2026Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Plan - prior authorization Effective October 1, 2026
Rocky Mountain Health PlansRocky Mountain Health Plans Prime / RAECOprior auth requiredOct 1, 2026Rocky Mountain Health Plans PRIME Effective October 1, 2026
Rocky Mountain Health PlansRocky Mountain Medicare Advantage D-SNPCOprior auth requiredFeb 1, 2025Rocky Mountain Health Plans Medicare Advantage Dual-Special Needs Plans – prior authorization Effective February 1, 2025
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Complete (Individual & Family plans)Allprior auth requiredSep 1, 2026Prior authorization requirements for UnitedHealthcare Complete Effective September 1, 2026
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange plansAllprior auth requiredsite of care: site of service reviewedOct 1, 2026Prior authorization requirements for UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange plans Effective October 1, 2026
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic Health PlansAllprior auth under conditionsPrior authorization required for services, including: CT scans — brain, chest, musculoskeletal, colonography MRI scans — brain, heart, chest, musculoskeletal PET scans for diagnoses other than virtualOct 1, 2026Prior authorization requirements for UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic Health Plans Effective October 1, 2026
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanNorth Carolina MedicaidNCprior auth requiredsite of care: site of service reviewedOct 1, 2026Prior authorization requirements for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina Effective October 1, 2026 July 1, 2024
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanTennCareTNprior auth requiredOct 1, 2026Prior authorization requirements for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee Effective October 1, 2026
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanTexas CHIPTXprior auth requiredJan 1, 2015Prior authorization requirements for Texas CHIP Effective September 1, 2026 This list contains prior authorization requirements for participating UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Texas CHIP health care
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanTexas STARTXprior auth requiredJan 1, 2015Prior authorization requirements for Texas STAR Effective September 1, 2026 This list contains prior authorization review requirements for participating UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas STAR h
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanTexas STAR KidsTXprior auth requiredNov 1, 2016Prior authorization requirements for STAR Kids Effective September 1, 2026 This list contains prior authorization review requirements for participating UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas STAR Ki
UnitedHealthcare Community PlanTexas STAR+PLUSTXprior auth requiredJan 1, 2015Prior authorization requirements for STAR+Plus Effective September 1, 2026 This list contains prior authorization requirements for participating UnitedHealthcare Community Plan STAR+PLUS health care p

Payer coverage policies that name 72129

72129 appears in 11 coverage policies from Aetna, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, UnitedHealthcare.

PayerPolicyRole in policyReviewedDocument
AetnaBack Pain - Invasive Procedures (0016)listed, no stance (range 72125-72133)Oct 6, 2026payer document
AetnaIntervertebral Disc Prostheses (0591)listed, no stance (range 72125-72133)Sep 18, 2026payer document
AetnaMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) of the Spine (0236)covered if criteria are metApr 9, 2026payer document
AetnaSpinal Cord Stimulation (0194)listed, no stance (range 72128-72130)Sep 10, 2026payer document
AetnaSpinal Surgery: Laminectomy and Fusion (0743)listed, no stanceJul 30, 2026payer document
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MississippiComputed Tomography Cat Scan Of The Cervical Thoracic And Lumbar Spine (L.6.01.404)covered if criteria are metpayer document
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MassachusettsCarelon Oncologic Imaging CPT, HCPCS and Diagnoses Codes (929)listed, no stancepayer document
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MassachusettsSpine Imaging CPT, HCPCS and Diagnoses Codes (935)listed, no stancepayer document
BlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaCT Thoracic Spine (CAM 707)listed, no stanceNov 1, 2025payer document
UnitedHealthcareMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) Scan – Site of Service (MP.13.20)
Computed Tomography
listed, no stanceSep 1, 2026payer document
UnitedHealthcareOutpatient Radiology Procedures for EviCore Arrangement (for Oxford Only) (RADIOLOGY)
Dates of Service
listed, no stanceSep 1, 2026payer document

Recent prior-auth changes

  • Jan 1, 2027: PA added, Humana
  • Mar 1, 2026: conditions changed, UnitedHealthcare

Medicaid fee-for-service

Prior authorization required or conditional in CO, FL, MS, NY, WV.

  • AZ: $69.76 (asc), effective Oct 1, 2026
  • CO: $145.00 (chp_plus, non-facility), effective Jul 1, 2026
  • FL: $88.06 (radiology), effective Jan 1, 2026
  • IL: $112.76 (practitioner), effective Apr 1, 2024
  • IN: $87.47 (professional, Advanced Practice Nurse (85%), facility), effective Jan 1, 2026
  • KS: $35.73 (default, Exempt Physician), effective Jan 1, 2024
  • KY: $94.95 (asc), effective Jan 1, 2026
  • LA: $84.62 (lab_radiology), effective Jul 1, 2012
  • MA: $138.00 (physician_radiology), effective May 1, 2024
  • MS: $77.37 (comprehensive, facility), effective Oct 1, 2025
  • ND: $188.50 (physician), effective Aug 1, 2026
  • NE: $80.27 (physician, non-facility), effective Jul 1, 2026
  • NY: $171.70 (ordered_ambulatory), effective Jul 24, 2026
  • OH: $167.28 (physician), effective Jan 1, 2024
  • OK: $86.62 (asc), effective Jan 1, 2026
  • TX: $220.58 (hospital_outpatient_imaging_services, Rural Hospitals), effective Mar 1, 2025
  • VA: $48.61 (medical), effective Jul 1, 2026
  • VT: $136.19 (outpatient_hospital_opps), effective Feb 1, 2026
  • WA: $71.47 (physician, facility), effective Jul 1, 2026
  • WY: $77.57 (outpatient_hospital_apc, Ambulatory Surgical Centers), effective Apr 1, 2026

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.