Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is typically done over a 24-hour period with a fully automated monitor. This provides more detailed blood pressure information than a traditional reading obtained during office visits. The greater number of readings with ABPM ameliorates the variability of single blood pressure measurements, and is more representative of the circadian rhythm of blood pressure compared to the limited number obtained during an office measurement.
Adults
ABPM may be considered medically necessary for ANY of the following indications:
ABPM not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered experimental/investigational and therefore, non-covered, because the safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available published peer-reviewed literature.
Note: See table below
93784 |
93786 |
93788 |
93790 |
|
|
|
Children/Adolescents
ABPM in children/adolescents greater than or equal to age five (5) may be considered medically necessary in ANY of the following settings:
ABPM in children and adolescents should be used by experts in the field of pediatric nephrology and pediatric cardiology who are experienced in its use and interpretation.
ABPM not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered experimental/investigational and therefore, non-covered, because the safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available published peer-reviewed literature.
Note: See table Below
93784 |
93786 |
93788 |
93790 |
|
|
|
Non-invasive
assessment of central blood pressure (e.g., SphygmoCor System) is considered
experimental/investigational and therefore non-covered because the safety
and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available
published peer-reviewed literature.
93050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adults
BP Classification |
Systolic BP, mm Hg* |
|
Diastolic BP, mm Hg* |
Normal |
<120 |
and |
<80 |
Prehypertension |
120-129 |
and |
<80 |
Stage 1 Hypertension |
130-139 |
or |
80-89 |
Stage 2 Hypertension |
>140 |
or |
>90 |
Children
For Children aged one (1)- < 13 Years of Age |
For Children Aged ≥13 Years of Age |
Normal BP: <90th percentile |
Normal BP: <120/<80 mm Hg |
Elevated BP: ≥90th percentile to <95th percentile or 120/80mm Hg to <95th percentile (whichever is lower) |
Elevated BP: 120/<80 to 129/<80 mm Hg |
Stage 1 HTN: ≥95th percentile to <95th percentile + 12 mmHg, or 130/80 to 139/89 mm Hg (whichever is lower) |
Stage 1 HTN: 130/80 to 139/89 mm Hg |
Stage 2 HTN: ≥95th percentile + 12 mm Hg, or ≥140/90 mm Hg (whichever is lower) |
Stage 2 HTN: ≥140/90 mm Hg |
American Academy of Pediatrics-2017
The American Academy of Pediatrics published clinical guidelines for the screening and management of high blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents.27, Table below lists recommendations made.
Table:
Recommendation |
LOE |
SOR |
"ABPM should be performed for confirmation of HTN in children and adolescents with office BP measurements in the elevated BP category for 1 year or more or with stage 1 HTN over 3 clinic visits." |
C |
Moderate |
"Routine performance of ABPM should be strongly considered in children and adolescents with high-risk conditions to assess HTN severity and determine if abnormal circadian BP patterns are present, which may indicate increased risk for target organ damage." |
B |
Moderate |
"ABPM should be performed by using a standardized approach with monitors that have been validated in a pediatric population, and studies should be interpreted by using pediatric normative data." |
C |
Moderate |
"Children and adolescents with suspected WCH should undergo ABPM." |
B |
Strong |
The American College of Cardiology, with 10 other medical specialty societies, published guidelines on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high BP in adults. Table below lists recommendations made.
Table:
Recommendations |
COR |
LOE |
"In adults with an untreated SBP greater than 130 mm Hg but less than 160 mm Hg or DBP greater than 80 mm Hg but less than 100 mm Hg, it is reasonable to screen for the presence of white coat hypertension by using either daytime ABPM or HBPM before diagnosis of hypertension" |
IIa |
B-NR |
"In adults with white coat hypertension, periodic monitoring with either ABPM or HBPM is reasonable to detect transition to sustained hypertension" |
IIa |
C-LD |
"In adults being treated for hypertension with office BP readings, not at goal and HBPM readings suggestive of a significant white coat effect, confirmation by ABPM can be useful" |
IIa |
C-LD |
"In adults with untreated office BPs that are consistently between 120 mm Hg and 129 mm Hg for SBP or between 75 mm Hg and 79 mm Hg for DBP, screening for masked hypertension with HBPM (or ABPM) is reasonable" |
IIa |
B-NR |
"In adults on multiple-drug therapies for hypertension and office BPs within 10 mm Hg above goal, it may be reasonable to screen for white coat effect with HBPM (or ABPM)" |
IIb |
C-LD |
Diagnosis Codes
Covered diagnosis codes for Procedure Codes: 93784, 93786, 93788, and 93790
C74.00 |
C74.01 |
C74.02 |
D44.7 |
D57.00 |
D57.01 |
D57.02 |
D57.1 |
D57.20 |
D57.211 |
D57.212 |
D57.219 |
D57.3 |
D57.40 |
D57.411 |
D57.412 |
D57.419 |
D57.80 |
D57.811 |
D57.812 |
D57.819 |
E05.00 |
E05.01 |
E05.10 |
E05.11 |
E05.20 |
E05.21 |
E05.30 |
E05.31 |
E05.40 |
E05.41 |
E05.80 |
E05.81 |
E05.90 |
E05.91 |
E10.9 |
E11.9 |
E21.0 |
E21.1 |
E21.2 |
E21.3 |
E21.4 |
E21.5 |
E24.0 |
E24.8 |
E24.9 |
E26.01 |
E26.02 |
E26.09 |
E66.8 |
E66.9 |
F84.3 |
G47.30 |
G47.31 |
G47.32 |
G47.33 |
G47.34 |
G47.35 |
G47.36 |
G47.37 |
G47.39 |
I10 |
I11.9 |
I15.0 |
I15.1 |
I15.2 |
I15.8 |
I15.9 |
I20.8 |
I95.0 |
I95.1 |
I95.2 |
I95.3 |
I95.81 |
I95.89 |
I95.9 |
N18.1 |
N18.2 |
N18.4 |
N18.5 |
N18.6 |
N18.9 |
N18.30 |
N18.31 |
N18.32 |
N26.2 |
Q78.1 |
Q85.00 |
Q85.01 |
Q85.02 |
Q85.03 |
Q85.09 |
Q93.82 |
Q96.0 |
Q96.1 |
Q96.2 |
Q96.3 |
Q96.4 |
Q96.8 |
Q96.9 |
R03.0 |
R55 |
This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical or other circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records, as well as other regulatory, contractual and/or legal requirements.
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Room 509F, HHH Building
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Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor are they intended to govern the practice of medicine. They are intended to reflect reimbursement and coverage guidelines. Coverage for services may vary for individual members, based on the terms of the benefit contract.
Discrimination is Against the Law
The Claims Administrator/Insurer complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/Insurer does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/ Insurer:
If you believe that the Claims Administrator/Insurer has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Civil Rights Coordinator, P.O. Box 22492, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 1-866-286-8295, TTY: 711, Fax: 412-544-2475, email: CivilRightsCoordinator@highmarkhealth.org. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you.
You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.