Important Update for Utah Chiropractic Practices
The Utah Chiropractic Physicians Association (UCPA) wants to make Utah chiropractors aware of an important upcoming change to Regence BlueCross BlueShield prior authorization requirements.
Effective October 1, 2026, chiropractors will be required to request pre-authorization for certain physical therapy services under applicable Regence Commercial plans.
This change could directly affect chiropractic offices that provide therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, mechanical traction, neuromuscular reeducation and other commonly utilized services.
UCPA encourages practices to review the affected CPT codes and update their billing and front-office procedures before the October 1 effective date.
What Is Changing?
According to Regence’s Commercial Pre-authorization List, beginning October 1, 2026, chiropractors will be required to request pre-authorization for the following physical therapy services:
95851
97012
97014
97016
97018
97022
97024
97026
97028
97032
97033
97034
97035
97036
97039
97110
97112
97113
97116
97139
97140
97150
97161
97162
97163
97164
97530
97750
Several of these codes represent services commonly provided in chiropractic practices, making it important for offices to review the change before it takes effect.
View the Regence Commercial Pre-authorization List
Important: This Is Not a New Prior Authorization Requirement for Chiropractic Manipulation Codes
UCPA wants to make an important distinction.
The October 1 announcement specifically identifies certain physical therapy services provided by chiropractors.
We have not found Regence documentation indicating that this October 1 change creates a new prior authorization requirement for chiropractic manipulation CPT codes 98940, 98941 or 98942.
Practices should continue following the existing coverage and authorization requirements applicable to each patient’s specific plan.
Which Regence Plans Are Affected?
The October 1 chiropractor-specific change appears on Regence’s Commercial Pre-authorization List.
Because authorization requirements can differ among Commercial, Medicare and other products, practices should not assume this new requirement applies identically to every patient with a Regence or Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card.
Providers should verify the patient’s individual benefits and authorization requirements before providing services.
View Regence Pre-authorization Resources
What About Out-of-State Blue Cross Blue Shield Patients?
This distinction is particularly important for Utah chiropractic practices treating BlueCard members.
A patient may present a Blue Cross Blue Shield card while being enrolled through a Blue plan outside Utah. Authorization and benefit requirements can differ depending on the patient’s plan.
Practices should verify the applicable requirements rather than assuming the Regence Commercial requirements listed above apply to every Blue Cross Blue Shield patient.
Regence participates in the BlueCard program, which allows members of other Blue plans to access participating providers outside their home plan’s geographic service area.
What Should Your Practice Do Before October 1?
UCPA recommends that Utah chiropractic practices review this change with their billing, front-office and clinical teams before October 1.
In particular:
- Review the affected CPT code list and identify which services your practice currently provides.
- Determine which Regence patients and plans are subject to the new requirements.
- Update scheduling and billing workflows so authorization can be obtained when required.
- Verify authorization requirements before treatment rather than assuming that all Regence or BCBS plans follow the same rules.
- Pay particular attention to patients whose Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage originates outside Utah.
Use Regence’s Electronic Authorization Resources
Regence continues to encourage electronic prior authorization processes and has invested in tools intended to provide faster authorization decisions and reduce administrative burden.
Regence reports that its electronic authorization technology can provide immediate responses for many requests, including situations in which authorization is either approved or determined not to be necessary.
Practices should use Regence’s current provider resources to determine the appropriate authorization process for an individual patient.
Visit the Regence Pre-authorization Center
Quick Reference for Utah Chiropractors
Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Payer: Regence BlueCross BlueShield
Change: Chiropractors will be required to request pre-authorization for specified physical therapy services under applicable Commercial plans.
Does this announcement add 98940, 98941 or 98942?
No. Those chiropractic manipulation codes are not identified as part of this specific October 1 change.
Does this automatically apply to every BCBS patient?
No. Requirements can differ based on the patient’s specific plan, including out-of-area BlueCard coverage.
Recommended Action: Review the affected codes now and make sure your staff verifies authorization requirements before providing affected services beginning October 1.
UCPA Will Continue to Keep Members Informed
Insurance reimbursement and prior authorization continue to be significant issues for chiropractic practices.
UCPA will continue monitoring changes that affect Utah chiropractors and sharing important updates with our members.
If you are experiencing problems with Regence, another insurance carrier, prior authorization, reimbursement or claims in your practice, please let UCPA know. Hearing directly from Utah doctors helps us identify patterns and understand when an issue is affecting more than one practice.
Official Sources
Regence — Commercial Pre-authorization List
This is the primary source for the October 1, 2026 chiropractor-specific change.
View the Commercial Pre-authorization List
Regence — Pre-authorization Resources
Visit the Regence Pre-authorization Center
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah — News & Provider Information
Regence’s Utah resources confirm Regence’s operations and current provider/member information for Utah.
Visit Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
This information is provided by the Utah Chiropractic Physicians Association as an informational resource for Utah chiropractic practices. Coverage, benefits and prior authorization requirements may vary by plan and member. Providers should verify current requirements for each patient directly with the applicable health plan before providing services.
