Clinical & Payment Policies | Ambetter de Sunshine Health

 

Políticas clínicas y de pago

Payment Policies

Health care claims payment policies are guidelines used to assist in administering payment rules based on generally accepted principles of correct coding.  They are used to help identify whether health care services are correctly coded for reimbursement.  Each payment rule is sourced by a generally accepted coding principle. They include, but are not limited to claims processing guidelines referenced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Publication 100-04, Claims Processing Manual for  physicians/non-physician practitioners, the CMS National Correct Coding Initiative policy manual (procedure-to-procedure coding combination edits and medically unlikely edits), Current Procedural Technology guidance published by the American Medical Association (AMA) for reporting medical procedures and services, health plan clinical policies based on the appropriateness of health care and medical necessity, and at times state-specific claims reimbursement guidance.

All policies found in the Ambetter Health Payment Policy Manual apply with respect to Ambetter Health members. Policies in the Ambetter Health Payment Policy Manual may have either a Ambetter Health or a “Centene” heading.  In addition, Ambetter Health may from time to time employ a vendor that applies payment policies to specific services; in such circumstances, the vendor’s guidelines may also be used to determine whether a service has been correctly coded. Other policies (e.g., clinical policies) or contract terms may further determine whether a technology, procedure or treatment that is not addressed in the Payment Policy Manual is payable by Ambetter Health.     

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Member Services and ask to be directed to the Medical Management department.

Clinical Policies

Clinical policies are one set of guidelines used to assist in administering health plan benefits, either by prior authorization or payment rules.  They include but are not limited to policies relating to evolving medical technologies and procedures, as well as pharmacy policies.  Clinical policies help identify whether services are medically necessary based on information found in generally accepted standards of medical practice; peer-reviewed medical literature; government agency/program approval status; evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations; views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas affected by the policy; and other available clinical information. 

All policies found in the Ambetter Health Clinical Policy Manual apply to Ambetter Health members. Policies in the Ambetter Health Clinical Policy Manual may have either a Ambetter Health or a “Centene” heading.  Ambetter Health utilizes InterQual® criteria for those medical technologies, procedures or pharmaceutical treatments for which a Ambetter Health clinical policy does not exist.  InterQual is a nationally recognized evidence-based decision support tool.  You may access the InterQual® SmartSheet(s)™ for Adult and Pediatric procedures, durable medical equipment and imaging procedures by logging into the secure provider portal or by calling Ambetter Health. In addition, Ambetter Health may from time to time delegate utilization management of specific services; in such circumstances, the delegated vendor’s guidelines may also be used to support medical necessity and other coverage determinations. Other non-clinical policies (e.g., payment policies) or contract terms may further determine whether a technology, procedure or treatment that is not addressed in the Clinical Policy Manuals or  InterQual®criteria is payable by Ambetter Health.   

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Member Services and ask to be directed to the Medical Management department.

PolicyEffective Date
30-Day Readmission (PDF)February 5, 2021
3-Day Payment Window (PDF) 
Add on Code Billed Without Primary Code (PDF)January 1, 2013
Air Ambulance (CP.MP.175) (PDF) 
Allergy Testing and Therapy (PDF)January 1, 2022
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplants for Sickle Cell Anemia and β-Thalassemia (CP.MP.108) (PDF) 
Ambulatory EEG (PDF)September 14, 2020
Assistant Surgeon (PDF)January 1, 2014
Applied Behavior Analysis (CP.BH.104) (PDF) 
Applied Behavioral Analysis Documentation Requirements (CP.BH.105) (PDF) 
Behavioral Health Treatment Documentation Requirements (HIM.CP.BH.500) (PDF) 
Bevacizumab (Avastin) (PDF)August 12, 2016
Bilateral Procedures (PDF)January 1, 2014
Billing Requirements for Transgender Services (PDF)April 17, 2023
Biofeedback (CP.MP.168) (PDF) 
Bronchial Thermoplasty (PDF) January 15, 2017
Burn Surgery (CP.MP.186) (PDF) 
Cardiac Biomarker Testing for Acute MI (PDF)June 1, 2018
Caudal or Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections (CP.MP.164) (PDF) 
Clean Claims (PDF) 
Clean Claim Reviews (PDF)November 1, 2012
Clinical Validation of Modifier 25 (PDF)January 1, 2013
CMS Correct Coding Initiative Unbundling Edits (PDF) 
Code Editing Overview (PDF)January 1, 2013
Cosmetic Procedures (PDF)January 1, 2014
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures (CP.MP.31) (PDF) 
Cost to Charge Adjustments on Clean Claim Reviews (PDF)September 1, 2022
Diagnosis of Vaginitis (PDF)January 15, 2017 - September 30, 2017
Diagnosis of Vaginitis (PDF)October 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Diaphragmatic/Phrenic Nerve Stimulation (CP.MP.203) (PDF) 
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (PDF)December 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017
Disc Decompression Procedures (CP.MP.114) (PDF) 
Discography (CP.MP.115) (PDF) 
Distinct Procedural Modifiers: XE, XS, XP, & XU (PDF)January 1, 2013
Distinct Procedural Service: Modifier 59 (PDF)January 1, 2013
Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (CP.MP.101) (PDF) 
Drugs of Abuse: Definitive Testing (PDF) 
Duplicate Primary Code Billing (PDF)January 1, 2014
Durable Medical Equipment and Orthotics and Prosthetics Guidelines (CP.MP.107) (PDF) 
Electric Tumor Treating Fields (Optune) (CP.MP.145) (PDF) 
Endometrial Ablation (PDF)April 30, 2022
EpiFix Wound Treatment (PDF)September 1, 2017
Experimental Technologies (CP.MP.36) (PDF) 
External Ocular Photography (PDF)January 1, 2022
Facility-based Sleep Studies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (CP.MP.248) (PDF) 
Facility Charges for Hospital-Based Outpatient Clinics (PDF)September 1, 2022
Fecal Calprotectin Assay (PDF)May 1, 2017
Fecal Incontinence Treatments (CP.MP.137) (PDF) 
Fetal Surgery in Utero for Prenatally Diagnosed Malformations (CP.MP.129) (PDF) 
Fertility Preservation (CP.MP.130) (PDF) 
Gastric Electrical Stimulation (CP.MP.40) (PDF) 
High Complexity Medical Decision-Making (PDF)June 1, 2017
Home Ventilators (CP.MP.184) (PDF) 
Homocysteine Testing (PDF)March 31, 2022
Hospice Services (CP.MP.54) (PDF) 
Hospital Visit Codes Billed with Labs (PDF)January 1, 2013
Hyperhidrosis Treatments (CP.MP.62) (PDF) 
Inpatient Consultation (PDF)October 1, 2017
Inpatient Only Procedures (PDF)November 30, 2021
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (CP.MP.69) (PDF) 
Implantable Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (CP.MP.180) (PDF) 
Implantable Intrathecal or Epidural Pain Pump (CP.MP.173) (PDF) 
Implantable Loop Recorder (CP.MP.243) (PDF) 
Implantable Wireless Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring (CP.MP.160) (PDF) 
Intradiscal Steroid Injections for Pain Management (CP.MP.167) (PDF)October 1, 2025
Intravenous Hydration (PDF)January 1, 2013
IV Moderate Sedation, IV Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia for Dental Procedures (CP.MP.61) (PDF) 
Leveling of Emergency Room Services (PDF)May 15, 2019
Liposuction for Lipedema (CP.MP.244) (PDF) 
Long Term Care Placement (CP.MP.71) (PDF) 
Low-Frequency Ultrasound Wound Therapy (PDF)September 1, 2017
Lung Transplantation (CP.MP.57) (PDF) 
Mechanical Stretching Devices for Joint Stiffness and Contracture (CP.MP.144) (PDF) 
Moderate Conscious Sedation (PDF)June 26, 2023
Modifier DOS Validation (PDF)January 1, 2013
Modifier to Procedure Code Validation (PDF)January 1, 2013
Monitored Anesthesia Care for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (PDF) March 1, 2019
Multiple CPT Code Replacement (PDF)
January 1, 2014
Multiple Procedure Reduction: Ophthalmology (PDF)
August 23, 2021
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) for Therapeutic Services (PDF)August 23, 2021
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (CP.MP.24) (PDF) 
NCCI Unbundling (PDF) 
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Guidelines (CP.MP.86) (PDF) 
Neonatal Sepsis Management (CP.MP.85) (PDF) 
Nerve Blocks and Neurolysis for Pain Management (CP.MP.170) (PDF) 
Never Paid Events (PDF)
January 1, 2013
New Patient (PDF)
January 1, 2014
Neuromuscular and Peroneal Nerve Electrical Stimulation (NMES) (CP.MP.48) (PDF) 
NICU Apnea Bradycardia Guidelines (CP.MP.82) (PDF) 
NICU Discharge Guidelines (CP.MP.81) (PDF) 
Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants (CP.MP.141) (PDF) 
Non-obstetrical Pelvic and Transvaginal Ultrasounds (PDF)March 1, 2019
Obstetrical Home Care Program (CP.MP.91) (PDF) 
Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation (CP.MP.176) (PDF) 
Outpatient Consultation (PDF)
January 1, 2014
Orthognathic Surgery (CP.MP.202) (PDF) 
Outpatient Oxygen Use (CP.MP.190) (PDF) 
Paclitaxel Protein Bound (PDF)January 1, 2022
Pancreas Transplantation (CP.MP.102) (PDF) 
Panniculectomy (CP.MP.109) (PDF) 
Pediatric Heart Transplant (CP.MP.138) (PDF) 
Pediatric Kidney Transplant (CP.MP.246) (PDF) 
Pediatric Liver Transplant (CP.MP.120) (PDF) 
Pediatric Oral Function Therapy (CP.MP.188) (PDF) 
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention (CP.MP.147) (PDF) 
Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia (CP.MP.150) (PDF) 
Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Services (CP.MP.49) (PDF) 
Physician Visit Codes Billed with Labs (PDF) 
Physician's Consultation Services (PDF)December 1, 2017
Place of Service Mismatch (PDF)March 1, 2019
Polymerase Chain Reaction Respiratory Viral Panel Testing (PDF)March 31, 2022
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Voiding Dysfunction (CP.MP.133) (PDF) 
Post-Operative Visits (PDF)
January 1, 2014
Pre-Operative Visits (PDF)
January 1, 2014
Problem Oriented Visits Billed with Preventative Visits (PDF)
September 2, 2022
Problem Oriented Visits with Surgical Procedures (PDF)
December 1, 2017
Professional Component Modifier 26 (PDF)
January 1, 2013
Professional Services (Visit Codes) Billed With Labs (PDF)
January 1, 2013
PROM Testing (PDF)
December 1, 2017
Proton and Neutron Beam Therapies (CP.MP.70) (PDF) 
Renal Hemodialysis (PDF)
September, 2022
Repair of Nasal Valve Compromise (CP.MP.210) (PDF) 
Reporting Global Maternity Package (PDF)
January 1, 2013
Rituximab (PDF)November 1, 2017
Robotic Surgery (PDF)April 20, 2021
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (CP.MP.126) (PDF) 
Sacroiliac Joint Interventions for Pain Management (CP.MP.166) (PDF) 
Same Day Visits (PDF)December 1, 2022
Sclerotherapy and Chemical Endovenous Ablation for Varicose Veins and Other Symptomatic Venous Disorders (CP.MP.146) (PDF) 
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy for Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy (CP.MP.174) (PDF) 
Selective Nerve Root Blocks and Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections (CP.MP.165) (PDF) 
Short Inpatient Hospital Stay (PDF) October 1, 2020
Skin and Soft Tissue Substitutes for Chronic Wounds (CP.MP.185) (PDF) 
Sleep Studies Place of Services (PDF)May 1, 2017
Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerve, and Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (CP.MP.117) (PDF) 
Status "B" Bundled Services (PDF)April 1, 2017
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (CP.MP.22) (PDF) 
Supplies Billed On Same Day as Surgery (PDF)January 1, 2013
Tandem Transplant (CP.MP.162) (PDF) 
Testing for Select Genitourinary Conditions (formerly Diagnosis of Vaginitis) (PDF)January 1, 2022
Therapeutic Utilization of Inhaled Nitric Oxide (CP.MP.87) (PDF) 
Thryoid Hormones and Insulin Testing in Pediatrics (PDF)October 31, 2021
Transplant Service Documentation Requirements (CP.MP.247) (PDF) 
Trigger Point Injections for Pain Management (CP.MP.169) (PDF) 
Unbundled Professional Services (PDF) January 1, 2014
Unbundling Adjustments on Clean Claim Reviews (PDF)September 1, 2022
Urinary Incontinence Devices and Treatments (CP.MP.142) (PDF) 
Urine Specimen Validity Testing (PDF)April 20, 2021
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (CP.MP.12) (PDF) 
Ventricular Assist Devices (CP.MP.46) (PDF) 
Vitamin D Testing in Children and Adolescents (PDF)June 1, 2018
Wheelchair and Accessories (PDF)August 12, 2016
Wireless Motility Capsule (PDF)September 1, 2017

PolicyEffective Date
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Treatment (CP.BH.124) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Billing Requirements for Transgender Services (CC.PP.047) (PDF) 
Cerumen Removal (CC.PP.008) (PDF) January 1, 2014
Clinical Validation of Modifier 25 (CC.PP.013) (PDF)January 1, 2013
Code Editing Overview (CC.PP.011) (PDF)January 1, 2013
Digital EEG Spike Analysis (CP.MP.105) (PDF)November 1, 2024
EEG in the Evaluation of Headache (CP.MP.155) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Evaluation and Management Services Billed with Treatment Rooms (PDF)January 1, 2022
Evoked Potential Testing (CP.MP.134) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Fundus Photography (CP.VP.29) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Nucleic Acid Detection Panel Testing (CP.MP.209) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Holter Monitors (CP.MP.113) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Hospital Visit Codes Billed with Labs (CC.PP.023) (PDF)January 1, 2013
Incidental Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests Billed with Evaluation and Management Services (CC.PP.010) (PDF) January 1, 2013
Inpatient Only Procedures-Ambetter (MM.PP.018) (PDF)January 1, 2013
Laser Therapy for Skin Conditions (CP.MP.123) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Leveling of Care: Evaluation and Management Overcoding (PDF)February 5, 2021 
Maximum Units of Service (CC.PP.007) (PDF) January 1, 2013
Measurement of Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (CP.MP.152) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Moderate Conscious Sedation (CC.PP.015) (PDF) 
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) for Diagnostic Cardiovascular Procedures (CC.PP.065) (PDF) February 6, 2021
Newborn Inpatient Stays (CC.PP.075) (PDF) 
New Patient (CC.PP.036) (PDF)January 1, 2014
Physician's Consultation Services (CC.PP.054) (PDF) 
Physician's Office Lab Testing (CC.PP.055) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Post-Operative Visits (CC.PP.042) (PDF)January 1, 2014
Pre-Operative Visits (CC.PP.041) (PDF)January 1, 2014
Problem Oriented Visits Billed with Surgical Procedures (CC.PP.052) (PDF) 
Pulse Oximetry with Evaluation & Management Services (PDF)January 1, 2014
Reporting Global Maternity Package (CC.PP.016) (PDF) January 1, 2013
Sepsis Diagnosis (CC.PP.073) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Severe Malnutrition (CC.PP.145) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Testing for Select Genitourinary Conditions (CP.MP.97) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Ultrasound in Pregnancy (CP.MP.38) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Unbundled Surgical Procedures (PDF) 
Unlisted Procedure Codes (CC.PP.009) (PDF) January 1, 2013
Urine Specimen Validity Testing (CC.PP.056) (PDF) 
Urodynamic Testing (CP.MP.98) (PDF)November 1, 2024
Visits On Same Day As Surgery (CC.PP.040) (PDF)March 6, 2024
Wheelchair Seating (CP.MP.99) (PDF)November 1, 2024