HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 

Medical Policy:
I-158-008
Topic:
Pegaspargase (Oncaspar), Asparaginase Erwinia Chrysanthemi (Rylaze), and Calaspargase Pegol-mknl (Asparlas)
Section:
Injections
Effective Date:
July 10, 2023
Issued Date:
July 10, 2023
Last Revision Date:
May 2023
Annual Review:
May 2023
 
 

Pegaspargase (Oncaspar®) is an asparagine specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia.

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (Rylaze™) is an asparagine specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of individuals who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived asparaginase.

Calaspargase pegol-mknl (AsparlasTM) is an asparagine specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The pharmacological effect is thought to be based on selective killing of leukemic cells due to depletion of plasma L-asparagine. Leukemic cells with low expression of asparagine synthetase have a reduced ability to synthesize L-asparagine, and therefore depend on an exogenous source of L-asparagine for survival. 

Policy Position

Pegaspargase (Oncaspar) may be considered medically necessary when ANY of the following criteria are met:

  • As a component of a multiagent chemotherapeutic regimen for the first-line treatment of pediatric and adult individuals with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); or
  • As a component of a multiagent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of pediatric and adult individuals with ALL and hypersensitivity to native forms of L-asparaginase.

The use of pegaspargase (Oncaspar) not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J9266

 

 

 

 

 

 




Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn (Rylaze) may be considered medically necessary for the following:

  • In combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in individuals ages one (1) month or older with ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived asparaginase.

The use of asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn (Rylaze) not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J9021

 

 

 

 

 

 




Calasparagase pegol-mknl (Asparlas) may be considered medically necessary for the following indications:

  • As a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of ALL in individuals ages one (1) month to 21 years.

The use of calasparagase pegol-mknl (Asparlas) not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J9118

 

 

 

 

 

 




Compendia Sources

Pegaspargase (Oncaspar), asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (Rylaze) and calaspargase pegol-mknl (Asparlas) may be considered medically necessary for treatment of any of the current category 1, 2A, or 2B NCCN recommendations.

J9021

J9118

J9266

 

 

 

 




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 I-249 Pennsylvania Cancer Treatment Mandate for additional information. 


Covered Diagnosis Codes for procedure code J9266

C83.50

C83.51

C83.52

C83.53

C83.54

C83.55

C83.56

C83.57

C83.58

C83.59

C84.90

C84.91

C84.92

C84.93

C84.94

C84.95

C84.96

C84.97

C84.98

C84.99

C84.Z0

C84.Z1

C84.Z2

C84.Z3

C84.Z4

C84.Z5

C84.Z6

C84.Z7

C84.Z8

C84.Z9

C86.0

C86.1

C91.00

C91.01

C91.02

 

Covered Diagnosis Codes for procedure code J9021

C83.50

C83.51

C83.52

C83.53

C83.54

C83.55

C83.56

C83.57

C83.58

C83.59

C84.90

C84.91

C84.92

C84.93

C84.94

C84.95

C84.96

C84.97

C84.98

C84.99

C84.Z0

C84.Z1

C84.Z2

C84.Z3

C84.Z4

C84.Z5

C84.Z6

C84.Z7

C84.Z8

C84.Z9

C86.0

C91.00

C91.01

C91.02

 

 

Covered Diagnosis Codes for procedure code J9118

C83.50

C83.51

C83.52

C83.53

C83.54

C83.55

C83.56

C83.57

C83.58

C83.59

C91.00

C91.01

C91.02

 



Place of Service: Outpatient

The administration of pegaspargase (Oncaspar), asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinaze, Rylaze), and calaspargase pegol-mknl (Asparlas) are 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.



The policy position applies to all commercial lines of business



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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.