Who reviews prior authorization requests for Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area (CPT 93886)?

Most commercial payers hand imaging reviews to a radiology benefit manager. For the payers tracked here, requests are reviewed using guidelines from eviCore, Carelon, CMS, UnitedHealthcare / eviCore. The request is submitted through that organization's portal rather than the health plan's general line.

What should be in the clinical notes before requesting Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area (CPT 93886)?

Reviewers look for a recent office visit that documents the symptoms and how long they have lasted, exam findings, results of any earlier imaging, treatments already tried and how the patient responded, and the specific question the study is expected to answer. The diagnosis code on the request should match what the notes describe.

CPT 93886: Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 93886

Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area.

Cardiac & Vascular Testing

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	7 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Current guideline	None found
Cigna	eviCore	Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Head Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	3 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	—	None found
Original Medicare does not run a prior authorization program for outpatient imaging; claims are judged against the coverage policies above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own prior authorization rules.
UnitedHealthcare	UnitedHealthcare / eviCore	Commercial and Exchange Cardiovascular and Radiology Imaging Guidelines 09.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	6 that name this code

Guidelines collected from the payers' published documents on September 29, 2026. Payers revise these documents during the year. Open the guideline link to confirm the current version before you submit.

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

These are the clinical situations where payer guidelines discuss Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Cerebrovascular Disease Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Cerebral Vasculitis Aetna · UnitedHealthcare
Other Imaging Studies Aetna · UnitedHealthcare
Pediatric Stroke Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$565

Middle half of rates: $354 to $932

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$244

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$271

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 701 hospitals; Medicare figures from CMS fee schedules. Rates vary widely by hospital and plan. Pricing data from CenterIQ.

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Payers update imaging guidelines several times a year. We will email you when the criteria for Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area change.

CPT 93886: Complete ultrasound imaging of blood flow in the head's brain area - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

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