HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 

Medical Policy:
I-11-045
Topic:
Chemodenervation - Botulinum Toxin
Section:
Injections
Effective Date:
October 1, 2023
Issued Date:
October 1, 2023
Last Revision Date:
September 2023
Annual Review:
June 2023
 
 

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.

Policy Position

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) may be considered medically necessary when used in the treatment of ANY of the following conditions:

Neuromuscular system

  • Auriculotemporal syndrome in adult individuals to reduce severe symptoms including food-induced facial flushing and sweating or gustatory hyperhidrosis post-parotidectomy (e.g., Frey syndrome); or
  • Blepharospasm associated with dystonia, including benign essential blepharospasm or VII nerve disorders in individuals 12 years of age or older; or
  • Cervical Dysonia (also known as spasmodic torticollis) in individuals 16 years of age or older; or
  • Chronic migraine prevention in adult individuals when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Prescribed by or in consultation with a neurologist or headache specialist; and
    • A healthcare provider trained in administration of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is administering the drug; and
    • A diagnosis of chronic migraine headache defined as greater than or equal to 15 days per month for greater than three (3) months with features of migraine headache on at least eight (8) days per month lasting four hours a day or longer [e.g., has been established using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-III)]; and
    • There is a persistent three (3) month history of recurring debilitating headaches as defined above and documented by a headache diary; and
    • The headaches are not caused by medication rebound (the individual is not taking narcotics or triptans exceeding more than 18 doses per month) or lifestyle issues (e.g., sleep patterns, caffeine use, etc.); and
    • Adequate trials of prophylactic therapy from at least two (2) different therapy classes (e.g., antiseizure, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants) were either not effective or not tolerated. Documentation of trials and failure should include that these medications have been prescribed at adequate doses and for a reasonable length of time (i.e., six (6) weeks each); and
    • Initial authorization will be for up to two (2) injection treatments for a six (6) month period.
  • Epicondylitis (e.g., tennis elbow) in adult individuals who did not respond to conventional treatment; or
  • Esotropia, congenital in pediatric individuals seven (7) months of age or younger; or
  • Exotropia of third nerve palsy – Acute Injury to oculomotor nerve in adult individuals; or
  • Focal spasticity in pediatric individuals two (2) to 17 years of age with cerebral palsy and concurrent equinus gait (tiptoeing); or
  • Hand tremors, severe in adult individuals due to Parkinson disease or essential tremor; or
  • Headache, cervicogenic (whiplash headache) in adult individuals with chronic headache, unrelieved by other therapies, secondary to a cervical whiplash injury which restricts range of motion in the neck; or
  • Hemifacial spasms (7th cranial nerve palsy) in adult individuals; or
  • Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia in adult individuals refractory to three (3) to six (6) months of treatment with antiepileptic medications; or
  • Granuloma of the vocal cords in adult individuals refractory to conventional surgical and medical therapies; or
  • Laryngeal spasm (laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia) in adult individuals; or
  • Larynx closure as an adjunct to surgical treatment in adult individuals; or
  • Myofascial pain syndrome in adult individuals with fibromyalgia; or
  • Oro-facial-lingual-masticatory tardive dyskinesia due to dopamine blocking agents in adult individuals; or
  • Oromandibular dystonia, Isolated in adult individuals refractory to optimal pharmacological therapy, surgery, or both; or
  • Pharyngoesophageal segment spasm following total laryngectomy in adult individuals as an adjunct to voice therapy program; or
  • Spasticity of upper and lower limbs in individuals two (2) years of age or older, related to ANY of the following conditions:
    • Cerebral palsy, including use for treatment of equinus foot deformity; or
    • Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system; or
    • Brain or spinal cord injury; or
    • Hemiplegia or paraplegia; or
    • Multiple sclerosis; or
    • Stroke; or
  • Strabismus associated with dystonia, including benign essential blepharospasm or VII nerve disorders in individuals 12 years of age or older; or
  • Stuttering in adult individuals; or
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic in adult individuals; or
  • Tics and associated premonitory symptoms from Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome in adult individuals; or
  • Voice failure after tracheoesophageal puncture and prosthesis placements after total laryngectomy in adult individuals (this is due to persistent focal constrictor hypertonicity/spasm); or
  • Voice tremor, essential (organic) in adult individuals; or
  • Whiplash injury to neck in adult individuals with chronic whiplash-associated neck pain following a motor vehicle accident; and

Digestive System

  • Anal fissure (chronic) in adult individuals for initial authorization of one (1) injection treatment for a three (3) month period; or
  • Anismus related to pelvic floor dyssynergia in adult individuals who are refractory to biofeedback training, for a maximum of up to three (3) injection treatments for a three (3) month period; or
  • Disorders of esophagus – dysphagia in adult individuals due to esophageal motility disorder or nonachalasia esophageal motility disorder; or
  • Dysphagia in adult individuals due to cricopharyngeus muscle spasm or pure upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction; or
  • Esophageal achalasia (failure in relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter with swallowing and by a lack of esophageal peristalsis) in adult individuals who have not responded to dilation therapy or who are considered poor surgical candidates for initial authorization of one (1) injection for a three (3) month period;  or
  • Sialorrhea (excessive salivation, drooling) when ALL of the following are met:
    • Pediatric individuals two (2) to 17 years of age with cerebral palsy; or
    • Individuals two (2) years of age or older who are neurologically impaired; or
    • Adult individuals with functional impairment originating from spasticity or dystonia resulting from Parkinson disease; and
    • Documented failure or contraindication to pharmacotherapy (including anticholinergics, such as but not limited to scopolamine); or

Integumentary System

  • Primary focal hyperhidrosis in adult individuals when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Diagnosis of severe hyperhidrosis in the axillary, palmar, plantar or craniofacial region; and
    • History of recurrent skin maceration with bacterial or fungal infections, (including but not limited to cutaneous disorders such as dermatophytosis (ringworm), pitted keratolysis, viral warts at the sites of hyperhidrosis); or
    • History of atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema) in spite of medical treatments with topical dermatological or systemic anticholinergic agents; and
    • Unresponsive to or unable to tolerate pharmacotherapy modalities prescribed for excessive sweating (including but not limited to anti-cholinergics, beta-blockers, or benzodiazepines); and
    • Topical 20% aluminum chloride or other extra strength antiperspirants are ineffective or result in a severe rash; and
    • Initial authorization will be for one (1) injection treatment per region for a three (3) month period; or

Urinary system

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult individuals who no longer respond to medication and refuse surgical treatment with moderate to severe symptoms of urinary obstruction based on the American Urological Association (AUA) index, mean peak urinary flow rate less than 15 mL/sec with voided volume of at least 150 mL, and an enlarged prostate gland; or
  • Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in pediatric individuals five (5) years of age or older who have an inadequate response to or are intolerant of anticholinergic medication; or
  • Overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency in adult individuals who have inadequate response to or intolerant of an anticholinergic medication or beta-3 adrenergic agonist; or
  • Urinary incontinence due to detrusor overactivity due to neurologic condition (e.g., spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis) adult individuals, who have an inadequate response to or intolerant of conservative therapy (e.g., moderation of fluid intake, avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and medications such as diuretics, control of chronic cough and constipation, smoking cessation, etc.) and medical therapy with an anticholinergic medication or beta-3 adrenergic agonist; o

Initial authorization for ALL criteria above will be for up to four (4) injection treatments per region in a 12-month period unless otherwise specified above.

Reauthorization Criteria

  • For chronic migraine, continuation of therapy beyond six (6) months may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Migraine headache frequency reduced by at least 50 percent from baseline; and
    • Migraine headache hours reduced at least 50 percent from baseline; and
    • Reauthorization will be for up to four (4) injections treatments for a 12-month period; or
  • For hyperhidrosis, continuation of therapy beyond three (3) months may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Documentation of an objective measurable effect indicating positive clinical response (i.e., improvement in hyperhidrosis severity scale); and
    • Reauthorization will be for up to four (4) injection treatments per region fora 12-month period; or
  • For chronic anal fissure and achalasia, continuation of therapy beyond three (3) months may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Documentation of positive clinical response; and
    • Reauthorization will be for one (1) injection treatment for a three (3) month period; or
  • For ALL other indications listed above (excluding chronic migraine, hyperhidrosis, chronic anal fissure, and achalasia), continuation of therapy may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • Documentation of positive clinical response; and
    • Reauthorization will be for up to four (4) injection treatments per region in a 12-month period.

All other uses of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) are not medically necessary.

Injections performed more than four (4) times 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.

The use of chemodenervation is considered not medically necessary for cosmetic purposes as well as all other indications.

46505

52287

64611

64612

64613

64614

64615

64616

64617

64642

64643

64644

64645

64646

64647

64650

64653

67345

92265

95867

95873

95874

J0585

S2340

S2341

 

 

 




AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) may be considered medically necessarywhen used in the treatment of ANY of the following conditions:

  • Blepharospasm in adult individuals; or
  • Cervical Dystonia (also known as spasmodic torticollis) in individuals 18 years of age or older; or
  • Hemifacial spasms (7th cranial nerve palsy) in individuals 18 years of age or older; or
  • Spasticity of upper and lower limbs in individuals two (2) years of age or older, related to ANY of the following conditions:
    • Cerebral palsy, including use for treatment of equinus foot deformity; or
    • Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system; or
    • Brain or spinal cord injury; or
    • Hemiplegia or paraplegia; or
    • Multiple sclerosis; or
    • Stroke.

All other uses of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) are considered not medically necessary.

64612

64615

64616

64642

64643

64644

64645

95873

95874

J0586

 

 

 

 




IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®) may be considered medically necessary when used in the treatment of ANY of the following conditions:

  • Blepharospasm in adult individuals; or
  • Cervical Dystonia (also known as spasmodic torticollis) in adult individuals; or
  • Chronic sialorrhea in individuals two (2) years of age or older when ALL of the following are met:
    • Sialorrhea resulting from Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, or traumatic brain injury; and
    • At least a three (3) month history of sialorrhea; and
    • Documented failure or contraindication to pharmacotherapy (including anticholinergics, such as but not limited to scopolamine); or
  • Spasticity of upper and lower limbs in individuals two (2) years of age or older, related to ANY of the following conditions:
    • Cerebral palsy, including use for treatment of equinus foot deformity; or
    • Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system; or
    • Brain or spinal cord injury; or
    • Hemiplegia or paraplegia; or
    • Multiple sclerosis; or
    • Stroke.

All other uses of incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) are considered not medically necessary.

64612

64616

64642

64643

64644

64645

95873

95874

J0588

 

 

 

 

 




RimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc®) may be considered medically necessary when used in the treatment of ANY of the following conditions:

  • Cervical Dystonia(also known as spasmodic torticollis) in adults; or
  • Chronic sialorrhea in adult individuals when ALL of the following are met:
    • Sialorrhea resulting from Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, ALS, stroke, or traumatic brain injury; and
    • At least a three (3) month history of sialorrhea; and
    • Documented failure or contraindication to pharmacotherapy (including anticholinergics, such as but not limited to scopolamine); or
  • Overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency in adult individuals who have inadequate response to or intolerant of an anticholinergic medication or beta-3 adrenergic agonist.

All other uses of rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) are considered not medically necessary.

52287

64611

64616

95873

95874

J0587

 




Note: Adult individuals is defined as individuals 18 years of age or older.

Note: In addition to the above criteria, 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. Highmark may deny, in full or in part, reimbursement for utilization that does not fall within the applicable dosage and/or frequency limits.


Related Policies

Refer to Medical Policy S-178, Treatment of Hyperhidrosis, for additional information.


Professional Statements and Societal Positions Guidelines

American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Practice Guideline Summary: Botulinum Neurotoxin for the Treatment of Blepharospasm, Cervical Dystonia, Adult Spasticity, and Headache. April 2016.

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). Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Neurogenic Overactive Bladder (OAB) in Adults: an AUA/SUFU Guideline. April 2019.

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. 


Covered Diagnosis codes for J0585 or J0585 when billed with: 46505, 52287, 53899, 64611, 64612, 64615, 64616, 64617, 64642, 64643, 64644, 64645, 64646, 64647, 64650, 64653, 64999, 67345, 92265, 95873, 95874, S2340, S2341

F80.81

F95.2

F98.5

G04.1

G11.4

G20.B1

G20.B2

G24.01

G24.09

G24.1

G24.2

G24.3

G24.4

G24.5

G24.8

G24.9

G25.0

G25.89

G35

G36.0

G43.701

G43.709

G43.711

G43.719

G43.E01

G43.E09

G43.E11

G43.E19

G44.86

G50.0

G51.0

G51.1

G51.2

G51.31

G51.32

G51.33

G51.4

G51.8

G80.0

G80.1

G80.2

G80.3

G80.4

G80.8

G80.9

G81.11

G81.12

G81.13

G81.14

G82.21

G82.22

G82.51

G82.52

G82.53

G82.54

G83.0

G83.11

G83.12

G83.13

G83.14

G83.21

G83.22

G83.23

G83.24

G83.31

G83.32

G83.33

G83.34

H49.01

H49.02

H49.03

H49.11

H49.12

H49.13

H49.21

H49.22

H49.23

H49.31

H49.32

H49.33

H49.41

H49.42

H49.43

H49.881

H49.882

H49.883

H50.011

H50.012

H50.021

H50.022

H50.031

H50.032

H50.041

H50.042

H50.05

H50.06

H50.07

H50.08

H50.111

H50.112

H50.121

H50.122

H50.131

H50.132

H50.141

H50.142

H50.15

H50.16

H50.17

H50.18

H50.21

H50.22

H50.30

H50.311

H50.312

H50.32

H50.331

H50.332

H50.34

H50.40

H50.411

H50.412

H50.43

H50.50

H50.51

H50.52

H50.53

H50.611

H50.612

H50.69

H50.89

I69.031

I69.032

I69.033

I69.034

I69.041

I69.042

I69.043

I69.044

I69.051

I69.052

I69.053

I69.054

I69.061

I69.062

I69.063

I69.064

I69.065

I69.131

I69.132

I69.133

I69.134

I69.141

I69.142

I69.143

I69.144

I69.151

I69.152

I69.153

I69.154

I69.161

I69.162

I69.163

I69.164

I69.165

I69.231

I69.232

I69.233

I69.234

I69.241

I69.242

I69.243

I69.244

I69.251

I69.252

I69.253

I69.254

I69.261

I69.262

I69.263

I69.264

I69.265

I69.331

I69.332

I69.333

I69.334

I69.341

I69.342

I69.343

I69.344

I69.351

I69.352

I69.353

I69.354

I69.361

I69.362

I69.363

I69.364

I69.365

I69.831

I69.832

I69.833

I69.834

I69.841

I69.842

I69.843

I69.844

I69.849

I69.851

I69.852

I69.853

I69.854

I69.931

I69.932

I69.933

I69.934

I69.941

I69.942

I69.943

I69.944

I69.951

I69.952

I69.953

I69.954

J38.3

J38.5

J38.7

K11.7

K22.0

K22.4

K60.1

L74.510

L74.511

L74.512

L74.513

M26.601

M26.602

M26.603

M26.609

M26.69

M77.10

M77.11

M77.12

M79.7

N31.0

N31.1

N31.8

N31.9

N32.81

N36.5

N39.3

N39.41

N39.43

N39.44

N39.45

N39.46

N39.498

N40.1

R13.13

R13.14

R25.0

R25.1

R25.2

R25.3

R25.8

R25.9

R32

R49.0

R49.8

S13.4XXA

S13.4XXD

S13.4XXS

 

 

Covered Diagnosis codes for J0586 when billed with:  64612, 64615, 64616, 64642, 64643, 64644, 64645, 95873, 95874

G11.4

G24.3

G24.5

G25.89

G51.31

G51.32

G51.33

G80.0

G80.1

G80.2

G80.8

G80.9

G81.11

G81.12

G81.13

G81.14

G82.21

G82.22

G82.51

G82.52

G82.53

G82.54

G83.0

G83.11

G83.12

G83.13

G83.14

G83.21

G83.22

G83.23

G83.24

G83.31

G83.32

G83.33

G83.34

I69.031

I69.032

I69.033

I69.034

I69.041

I69.042

I69.043

I69.044

I69.051

I69.052

I69.053

I69.054

I69.061

I69.062

I69.063

I69.064

I69.065

I69.131

I69.132

I69.133

I69.134

I69.141

I69.142

I69.143

I69.144

I69.151

I69.152

I69.153

I69.154

I69.161

I69.162

I69.163

I69.164

I69.165

I69.231

I69.232

I69.233

I69.234

I69.241

I69.242

I69.243

I69.244

I69.251

I69.252

I69.253

I69.254

I69.261

I69.262

I69.263

I69.264

I69.265

I69.331

I69.332

I69.333

I69.334

I69.341

I69.342

I69.343

I69.344

I69.351

I69.352

I69.353

I69.354

I69.361

I69.362

I69.363

I69.364

I69.365

I69.831

I69.832

I69.833

I69.834

I69.841

I69.842

I69.843

I69.844

I69.851

I69.852

I69.853

I69.854

I69.861

I69.862

I69.863

I69.864

I69.865

I69.931

I69.932

I69.933

I69.934

I69.941

I69.942

I69.943

I69.944

I69.951

I69.952

I69.953

I69.954

I69.961

I69.962

I69.963

I69.964

I69.965

R25.2

   

 

Covered Diagnosis codes for J0587 when billed with:  52287, 64611, 64616, 95873, 95874

 G24.3

 K11.7

 N32.81

 

 

 

 

 

Covered Diagnosis codes for J0588 when billed with: 64612, 64616, 64642, 64643, 64644, 64645, 95873, 95874

G24.3

G24.5

G80.0

G80.1

G80.2

G80.3

G80.4

G80.8

G80.9

G81.11

G81.12

G81.13

G81.14

G82.21

G82.22

G82.51

G82.52

G82.53

G82.54

G83.0

G83.11

G83.12

G83.13

G83.14

G83.21

G83.22

G83.23

G83.24

G83.31

G83.32

G83.33

G83.34

I69.031

I69.032

I69.033

I69.034

I69.041

I69.042

I69.043

I69.044

I69.051

I69.052

I69.053

I69.054

I69.061

I69.062

I69.063

I69.064

I69.065

I69.131

I69.132

I69.133

I69.134

I69.141

I69.142

I69.143

I69.144

I69.151

I69.152

I69.153

I69.154

I69.161

I69.162

I69.163

I69.164

I69.165

I69.231

I69.232

I69.233

I69.234

I69.241

I69.242

I69.243

I69.244

I69.251

I69.252

I69.253

I69.254

I69.261

I69.262

I69.263

I69.264

I69.265

I69.331

I69.332

I69.333

I69.334

I69.341

I69.342

I69.343

I69.344

I69.351

I69.352

I69.353

I69.354

I69.361

I69.362

I69.363

I69.364

I69.365

I69.831

I69.832

I69.833

I69.834

I69.841

I69.842

I69.843

I69.844

I69.851

I69.852

I69.853

I69.854

I69.861

I69.862

I69.863

I69.864

I69.865

I69.931

I69.932

I69.933

I69.934

I69.941

I69.942

I69.943

I69.944

I69.951

I69.952

I69.953

I69.954

I69.961

I69.962

I69.963

I69.964

I69.965

K11.7

R25.2

       

 

           


Place of Service: Outpatient

Botulinum Toxin (Chemodenervation) is typically an outpatient procedure which is only eligible for coverage as an inpatient procedure in special circumstances, including, but not limited to, the presence of a co-morbid condition that would require monitoring in a more controlled environment such as the inpatient setting.


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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:

  • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
    • Qualified sign language interpreters
    • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
  • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
    • Qualified interpreters
    • Information written in other languages

If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator.

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.

This information is issued by Highmark Blue Shield on behalf of its affiliated Blue companies, which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield and certain of its affiliated Blue companies serve Blue Shield members in the 21 counties of central Pennsylvania. As a partner in joint operating agreements, Highmark Blue Shield also provides services in conjunction with a separate health plan in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Highmark Inc. or certain of its affiliated Blue companies also serve Blue Cross Blue Shield members in 29 counties in western Pennsylvania, 13 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, the state of West Virginia plus Washington County, Ohio, the state of Delaware[ and [8] counties in western New York and Blue Shield members in [13] counties in northeastern New York].  All references to Highmark in this document are references to Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.





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:

  • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
  • Qualified sign language interpreters
  • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)

  • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
  • Qualified interpreters
  • Information written in other languages
  • If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator.

    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.