Medicare Advantage - August 2021 Medical Policies and Utilization Management Guidelines Update

Please note, this communication applies to Healthy Blue + MedicareSM (HMO D-SNP) offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).

The Medical Policies, Clinical Utilization Management (UM) Guidelines, and Third-Party Criteria below were developed and/or revised to support clinical coding edits. Note, several policies and guidelines were revised to provide clarification only and are not included. Existing precertification requirements have not changed.

Please share this notice with other members of your practice and office staff.

To view a guideline, visit https://medpol.providers.amerigroup.com/green-provider/medical-policies-and-clinical-guidelines.

Notes/Updates:
Updates marked with an asterisk (*) notate that the criteria may be perceived as more restrictive.

• *CG-SURG-112 — Carpal Tunnel Decompression Surgery
  • Outlines the Medically Necessary and Not Medically Necessary criteria for carpal tunnel decompression surgery
• *CG-SURG-113 — Tonsillectomy with or without Adenoidectomy for Adults
  • Outlines the Medically Necessary and Not Medically Necessary criteria
• *DME.00043 — Neuromuscular Electrical Training for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Snoring
  • The use of a neuromuscular electrical training device is considered Investigational & Not Medically Necessary for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring
• *GENE.00058 — TruGraf Blood Gene Expression Test for Transplant Monitoring
  • TruGraf blood gene expression test is considered Investigational & Not Medically Necessary for monitoring immunosuppression in transplant recipients and for all other indications
• LAB.00040 — Serum Biomarker Tests for Risk of Preeclampsia
  • Serum biomarker tests to diagnosis, screen for, or assess risk of preeclampsia are considered Investigational & Not Medically Necessary
• *LAB.00042 — Molecular Signature Test for Predicting Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy
  • Molecular signature testing to predict response to Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy is considered Investigational & Not Medically Necessary for all uses, including but not limited to guiding treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
• *OR-PR.00007 — Microprocessor Controlled Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
  • Outlines the Medically Necessary and Not Medically Necessary criteria for the use of a microprocessor controlled knee-ankle-foot orthosis
• *SURG.00032 — Patent Foramen Ovale and Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention
  • Added Medically Necessary statement for transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage (LAA) for individuals with non-valvular atrial fibrillation for the prevention of stroke when criteria are met
  • Revised Investigational & Not Medically Necessary statement for transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage when the criteria are not met
• *SURG.00077 — Uterine Fibroid Ablation: Laparoscopic, Percutaneous, or Transcervical Image Guided Techniques
  • Added Medically Necessary statement on use of laparoscopic or transcervical radiofrequency ablation
  • Added Not Medically Necessary statement on use of laparoscopic or transcervical radiofrequency ablation when criteria in Medically Necessary statement are not met
  • Removed laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation from Investigational & Not Medically Necessary statement
  • Removed Investigational & Not Medically Necessary statement on radiofrequency ablation using a transcervical approach

Medical Policies
On August 12, 2021, the Medical Policy and Technology Assessment Committee (MPTAC) approved the following Medical Policies applicable to Blue Cross NC. These guidelines take effect January 17, 2022.

Clinical UM Guidelines
On August 12, 2021, the MPTAC approved the following Clinical UM Guidelines applicable to Blue Cross NC. These guidelines adopted by the medical operations committee for our members on September 23, 2021. These guidelines take effect January 17, 2022.

https://www.bluecrossnc.com/providers/blue-medicare-providers/healthy-blue-medicare

BLUE CROSS®, BLUE SHIELD® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

BNCCARE-220-21 October 2021