Chemodenervations (i.e., botulinum toxin injections) are intramuscular injections of neurotoxins.
The toxin acts by blocking release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction thus reducing the tone of overactive muscles. There are several commercial products (consisting of either serotype-A or serotype-B) currently available for use. Each differs in its unit potency, side effects, and duration of action. The clinical goals for utilizing neurotoxin injections are to result in a temporary chemodenervation of the effected muscle at the neuromuscular junction thus: reducing pain or increasing comfort, improving function, preventing or treating musculoskeletal complications, facilitating ease of care, and/or for improving the general appearance, mobility and/or phonation in patients presenting with spasticity or dystonia.
Chemodenervation utilizing botulinum toxin-A may be considered medically necessary for the treatment of patients presenting with the following conditions:
Repeat chemodenervations are typically not indicated unless there is documented evidence that all types of improvement noted must be clinically meaningful and should include: functional improvement, clinically meaningful reduction in pain, reduction of the need for treatment of musculoskeletal complications, facilitating ease of care, and/or for improving the general appearance, mobility and/or phonation in patients presenting with spasticity or dystonia for a minimum of eight (8) weeks following the injection(s). Based on the typical response of properly administered chemodenervations injections are typically performed every three (3) months.
Injections performed on a more frequent basis may be considered not medically necessary. In addition, more than four (4) injections per region per year may be considered not medically necessary.
The use of electrical muscle stimulation or needle electromyography may be considered medically necessary for guidance in conjunction with chemodenervation.
Chemodenervations are not without risk, and can expose individuals to potential serious complications. As a result, certain individuals may not be optimal candidates for chemodenervation. Optimal candidates include those:
In individuals who may not fulfill the criteria above, the use of chemodenervation may be considered not medically necessary.
Based on the limited evidence of efficacy and the increased side-effects profile, the use of botulinum toxin type-B may be considered medically necessary only in the management of patients who have become non-responsive to botulinum toxin type-A.
Chemodenervation are considered not medically necessary for the treatment of:
The use of chemodenervation is considered not medically necessary for cosmetic purposes as well as all other indications.
Note: Product specific dosage and/or frequency limits may apply in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved product prescribing information, national compendia, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other peer reviewed resources or evidence-based guidelines
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American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Botulinum neurotoxin should be offered as a treatment option for the treatment of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, focal upper extremity dystonia, adductor laryngeal dystonia, upper extremity essential tremor, and may be considered for hemifacial spasm and focal lower limb dystonia.
American Urological Association (AUA). Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA should be offered as third-line treatment in the carefully-selected and thoroughly-counseled individual who has been refractory to first and second-line OAB treatments. The individual must be able and willing to return for frequent post-void residual evaluation and able and willing to perform self-catheterization if necessary.
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.
Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor are they intended to govern the practice of medicine. They are intended to reflect Highmark's reimbursement and coverage guidelines. Coverage for services may vary for individual members, based on the terms of the benefit contract.
Highmark retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of Highmark. Any sale, copying or dissemination of the medical policies is prohibited; however, limited copying of medical policies is permitted for individual use.
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.
Insurance or benefit/claims administration may be provided by Highmark, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Coverage Advantage, Highmark Health Insurance Company, First Priority Life Insurance Company, First Priority Health, Highmark Benefits Group, Highmark Select Resources, Highmark Senior Solutions Company or Highmark Senior Health Company, all of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.
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.
