S8042 Mri low fieldMagnetic resonance imaging (mri), low-field
Status I: not valid for Medicare (Medicare uses another code).
15 of 16 payer prior-auth lists that name S8042 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 Texas, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Molina Healthcare of Ohio.
| Payer | Plan | State | Prior auth | Conditions | Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) | AZ Blue-administered Medicare Advantage (M2K) | AZ | prior auth required | Sep 1, 2026 | AZ Blue Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (Effective 09/01/2026) | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) | Standard PA code list (most commercial plans) | AZ | prior auth under conditions | eviCore-delegated groups only; Gold-card eligible | Sep 1, 2026 | AZ 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) | AZ | prior auth required | Gold-card eligible | Sep 1, 2026 | State of Arizona Group Prior Authorization Requirements Code List (09/01/2026) |
| Aetna | Medicare Advantage | All | prior auth required | Not required for Student Health or Allina Health | Aetna plans; Not required inpatient, in the ER or in observation | Oct 1, 2026 | Participating provider precertification list for Aetna® |
| Aetna | Commercial | All | prior auth required | Not required for Student Health or Allina Health | Aetna plans; Not required inpatient, in the ER or in observation | Oct 1, 2026 | Participating provider precertification list for Aetna® |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative) | IL | prior auth required | eviCore-managed | Jan 1, 2025 | Procedure Code List, Effective 1/1/2025 |
| 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) |
| Humana | Humana Healthy Horizons | KY | prior auth required | Jan 1, 2027 | please visit Humana Healthy Horizons in Kentucky Clinical coverage policies. | |
| Humana | Oak Street Health | All | prior auth required | Oak Street Health (Humana): Prior Authorization List (PAL) Codes Under Management | ||
| 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 | Contact eviCore for PA | 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 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 |
S8042 appears in 3 coverage policies from Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
| Payer | Policy | Role in policy | Reviewed | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Open Air, Low Field Strength, and Positional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Units (0093) | covered if criteria are met | Mar 18, 2026 | payer document |
| Aetna | Parkinson's Disease (0307) | not covered | Feb 24, 2026 | payer document |
| BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina | Low-Field MRI (CAM 737) | listed, no stance | Nov 1, 2025 | payer document |
Prior authorization required or conditional in CO, IN.
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.