88261 CPT® code: payer coverage and prior authorization21 of 23 payer prior-auth lists that name 88261 require prior authorization or set conditions: Molina Complete Care (Virginia), Molina Healthcare of Arizona, Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Molina Healthcare of Idaho, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Molina Healthcare of South Carolina, Molina Healthcare of Texas, Molina Healthcare of Utah, Molina Healthcare of Washington, Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, Molina Healthcare, Inc. (national grid), UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
| Payer | Plan | State | Prior auth | Conditions | Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molina Complete Care (Virginia) | Medicare-only PA matrix for D-SNP | VA | prior auth required | Jan 1, 2022 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Virginia), effective Q1 2022 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Arizona | Medicare-only PA matrix for D-SNP | AZ | prior auth required | Jan 1, 2022 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Arizona), effective Q1 2022 | |
| Molina Healthcare of California | Medicare Advantage | CA | prior auth required | Jul 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (California), effective Q3 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Florida | Medicare Advantage | FL | prior auth required | Apr 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Florida), effective Q2 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Idaho | Medicare Advantage | ID | prior auth required | Apr 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Idaho), effective Q2 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Iowa | Medicaid | IA | prior auth required | Jul 1, 2023 | IA Prior Authorization Matrix, effective Q3 2023 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Michigan | Exchange | MI | prior auth required | Jul 1, 2021 | Molina Healthcare of Michigan PA Matrix, effective 7/1/2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Nevada | Medicaid | NV | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2022 | Medicaid Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix, effective Q4 2022 | |
| Molina Healthcare of New Mexico | Medicare Advantage | NM | prior auth required | Jan 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (New Mexico), effective Q1 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Ohio | Medicaid and MyCare Ohio (MMP) Medicaid | OH | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2023 | Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Ohio | Medicare and MyCare Ohio (MMP) Medicare | OH | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2023 | Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Ohio | Exchange | OH | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2023 | Molina Healthcare of Ohio Prior Authorization (PA) Code List, effective 2023-10-01 | |
| Molina Healthcare of South Carolina | Medicare Advantage | SC | prior auth required | Apr 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (South Carolina), effective Q2 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Texas | Exchange | TX | prior auth required | Sep 1, 2019 | Marketplace Prior Authorization (PA) Code Matrix (Texas), effective July 1, 2026 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Utah | Medicare Advantage | UT | prior auth required | Apr 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Utah), effective Q2 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Washington | Medicare Advantage | WA | prior auth required | Apr 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Washington), effective Q2 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin | Medicare Advantage | WI | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (Wisconsin), effective Q4 2021 | |
| Molina Healthcare, Inc. (national grid) | Molina national (MHI) Medicare grid | All | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2021 | Medicare Prior Auth (PA) Code Matrix (national), effective Q4 2021 | |
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | AHCCCS Complete Care (ACC) | AZ | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2026 | Prior authorization requirements for AHCCCS Complete Care (ACC) Medicaid effective October 1, 2026 | |
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | ALTCS Developmentally Disabled | AZ | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2026 | Prior authorization requirements for Arizona Developmental Disabilities Effective October 1, 2026 | |
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | ALTCS Long Term Care | AZ | prior auth required | Oct 1, 2026 | Prior authorization requirements for Arizona Long Term Care Effective October 1, 2026 |
88261 appears in 9 coverage policies from Aetna, Cigna, Health Care Service Corporation (BCBS IL, TX, OK, NM, MT), UnitedHealthcare.
| Payer | Policy | Role in policy | Reviewed | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Autism Spectrum Disorders (0648) | covered if criteria are met | Oct 2, 2025 | payer document |
| Aetna | Genetic Testing (0140) Genetic testing for dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD1 and PKD2) | covered if criteria are met (range 88245-88269) | Aug 18, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Infertility (0327) | covered if criteria are met | Jul 16, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast (0105) | listed, no stance (range 88245-88269) | Aug 6, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (0348) | covered if criteria are met (range 88245-88269) | Jun 23, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Tourette's Syndrome (0480) | not covered (range 88245-88269) | Jul 24, 2026 | payer document |
| Cigna | Laboratory Testing Services (0604) | not covered | May 15, 2026 | payer document |
| Health Care Service Corporation (BCBS IL, TX, OK, NM, MT) | Medical Policies Moving to MCG Guidelines Spectrum Disorders (ASD) | 70460, 70470, 70496, 70551, | Disorders – Gene Panels | listed, no stance | Jan 1, 2026 | payer document |
| UnitedHealthcare | Infertility Diagnosis, Treatment, and Fertility Preservation (2026T0270NN) | listed, no stance | Jun 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.