HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 

Medical Policy:
I-225-005
Topic:
Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf (Phesgo)
Section:
Injections
Effective Date:
May 13, 2024
Issued Date:
May 13, 2024
Last Revision Date:
March 2024
Annual Review:
March 2024
 
 

Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf (Phesgo™) is a fixed-dose combination of two monoclonal antibodies, pertuzumab and trastuzumab, that are antagonists of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf (Phesgo) is administered subcutaneously by a healthcare provider. 

Policy Position

The use of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase (Phesgo) may be considered medically when the presence of the HER2-overexpression is confirmed by the following:

HER2-overexpression must be verified by ANY ONE of the following FDA approved diagnostic tests:

  • An immunohistochemical (IHC) assay with a result of 3+ (positive); or
  • A positive fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test (ratio greater than 2.0); or
  • Single-probe in situ hybridization (ISH) test with average HER2  copy number 6.0 signals/cell or greater; or
  • Dual-probe ISH test HER2/CEP17 (chromosome enumeration probe 17) ratio 2.0 or greater; or HER2/CEP17 ratio less than 2.0 AND average HER2 copy number 6.0 signals/cell or greater.

Confirmatory tests should be performed for borderline results as follows:

  • If IHC assay has a result of 2+, confirm with ISH test of the same sample or a new test with IHC or ISH (if new sample available); or
  • If FISH test has a HER2 gene/chromosome 17 ratio of 1.8-2.0, confirm with FISH re-test; additional cell counting and recalculation of the ratio; or IHC assay; or
  • If single-probe ISH assay has an average HER2 copy number result of 4.0 to less than 6.0 signals/cell, confirm with dual-probe ISH or with IHC (if same sample), or with a new ISH or IHC (if new sample available); or
  • If dual-probe ISH assay has a HER2/CEP17 ratio less than 2.0 and an average HER2 copy number result of 4.0 to less than 6.0 signals/cell, confirm with one of the following: IHC (if same sample), alternative ISH chromosome 17 probe, or order a new test with ISH or IHC (if new sample available).

The use of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase (Phesgo) may be considered medically necessary in individuals 18 years of age and older for the following: 

  • As therapy in combination with chemotherapy for EITHER of the following:
    • Neoadjuvant treatment of individuals with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer (either greater than 2 cm in diameter or note positive) as part of a complete treatment regimen for early breast cancer; or
    • Adjuvant treatment of individuals with HER2-positive early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence; or
  • As therapy in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of individuals with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease.

Compendia Sources

  • Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase (Phesgo)  may be considered medically necessary for treatment of any of the current category 1, 2A, or 2B NCCN recommendations

The use of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase (Phesgo) not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J9316

 

 

 

 

 

 




Note: Do not substitute for or with pertuzumab (Perjeta), trastuzumab (Herceptin), trastuzumab biosimilars, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), or fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu).

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-21, Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Trastuzumab Biosimilars, and Trastuzumab and Hyaluronidase-oysk (Herceptin Hylecta), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy I-40, Pertuzumab (Perjeta), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy I-113, Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy I-219, Fam-trastuzumab Deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu), for additional information. 

Refer to medical Policy I-249 Pennsylvania Cancer Treatment Mandate, for additional informaion.


Covered Diagnosis Codes for Procedure Code J9316

C50.011

C50.012

C50.019

C50.021

C50.022

C50.029

C50.111

C50.112

C50.119

C50.121

C50.122

C50.129

C50.211

C50.212

C50.219

C50.221

C50.222

C50.229

C50.311

C50.312

C50.319

C50.321

C50.322

C50.329

C50.411

C50.412

C50.419

C50.421

C50.422

C50.429

C50.511

C50.512

C50.519

C50.521

C50.522

C50.529

C50.611

C50.612

C50.619

C50.621

C50.622

C50.629

C50.811

C50.812

C50.819

C50.821

C50.822

C50.829

C50.911

C50.912

C50.919

C50.921

C50.922

C50.929

 

 



Place of Service: Outpatient

Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf (Phesgo) 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.


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.