We’re sharing two updates regarding varicose vein procedure authorizations.
Commercial & Medicaid auto approvals
We began requiring prior authorization for certain varicose vein procedures for commercial and Medicaid plans on Jan. 1, 2025, with all requests pending for review.
As of Oct. 1, 2025, providers now receive auto approvals on these authorization requests when:
- The requesting provider completes the InterQual® questions included in the authorization submission and
- The member meets the applicable InterQual® criteria, confirming that services aren’t being performed for cosmetic reasons
This change will expedite the authorization process for both providers and our utilization management team in many cases.
No authorization requirements for Medicare plans
We won’t be implementing varicose vein prior authorization requirements in 2026 for Medicare plans, as we’d previously stated we would. The prior authorization requirements will remain solely for commercial and Medicaid plans.