Medical Guidelines |
Reason for Update |
BioZorb |
New policy developed. BioZorb three-dimensional (3D) bioabsorbable tissue marker is considered investigational. References added. Medical Director review 6/2019. Policy noticed 6/11/19 for effective date 8/13/19. |
Carrier Screening for Genetic Disease |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019 |
Diagnosis of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance AHS - G2056 |
Reviewed by Avalon 1st Quarter 2019 CAB. Related Policies added to Description section. When Not Covered policy statement extensively revised as follows: revised item #2: a-y and added items #3-7. Policy guidelines updated to support revised policy statement. Billing/Coding section revised with the addition of Reimbursement items 1-10 along with the following codes: 82127, 82139, 82380, 82441, 82507, 82542, 82656, 82715, 83150, 83497, 83918, 83919, 83921, 84585, 84600, 86001, 83015, 83018, 82108, 82300, 83735, 83885, 83785, 82726, 89125, 82710, 84590, 84446, and 83655. References updated. Policy noticed 6/11/19 with effective date of 8/13/19. Medical Director review 5/2019. |
General Approach to Evaluating the Utility of Genetic Panels |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Alpha Thalassemia AHS - M2131 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for CHARGE Syndrome AHS - M2070 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Cystic Fibrosis AHS - M2017 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Diagnosis of Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies AHS - M2072 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019 |
Genetic Testing for Duchenne, Becker, Facioscapulohumeral, Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies AHS - M2074 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Familial Hypercholesterolemia AHS - M2137 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Pancreatitis AHS - M2079 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Lactase Insufficiency AHS - M2080 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Neurofibromatosis AHS - M2134 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Nonsyndromic Hereditary Hearing Loss AHS - G2148 |
When Not Covered section revised; removed item "a. If more than once per lifetime". Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome AHS - M2087 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review. 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Genetic Testing for Statin-Induced Myopathy AHS - M2089 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Helicobacter Pylori Testing AHS - G2044 |
Reviewed by Avalon 2nd Quarter 2019 CAB. Under the When Covered section, added "either" to item #3. Under the When Not Covered section, added the following statement to item #6: "The use of nucleic acid testing for H. pylori, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of" H. Pylori, is considered not medically necessary as it is not practical for routine diagnosis. Policy guidelines and references extensively revised. Under the Coding/Billing section, the following changes were made: 86677 - changed to Not Covered, and added code 87149, 87150, 87153, 0008U to the policy as Not Covered. References updated. Policy noticed 6/11/19 for effective date of 8/13/19. Medical Director reviewed 5/2019. |
Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers |
New policy developed. Leadless cardiac pacemakers, specifically, the Micra transcatheter pacing system may be considered medically necessary in patients when the medical criteria are met. Added the following codes, 0387T, 0388T, 0389T, 0390T, 0391T to "Billing/Coding" section. References added. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Measurement of Thomboxane Metabolites for ASA Resistance AHS - G2107 |
Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Neurostimulation, Electrical |
References added. Regulatory Status section updated. Review of functional electrical stimulation exercise equipment added to policy; this is considered investigational. |
Pharmacogenetics Testing AHS - M202 |
Removed the *Policy Guideline statement and "NOTE" from the bottom of the When Not Covered section regarding Genotype once per lifetime. No change to policy intent. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 7/2019. Medical Director review 7/2019. |
Varicose Veins of the Lower Extremities, Treatment for |
Reference added. Cyanoacrylate adhesive may be considered medically necessary. Policy Guidelines related to cyanoacrylate adhesive updated. |