HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 

Medical Policy:
I-53-024
Topic:
Omalizumab (Xolair)
Section:
Injections
Effective Date:
April 1, 2024
Issued Date:
April 1, 2024
Last Revision Date:
March 2024
Annual Review:
June 2023
 
 

Omalizumab (Xolair®) is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1k murine monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human immunoglobulin E (IgE). Omalizumab (Xolair) inhibits the binding of IgE to the high-affinity IgE receptor on the surface of mast cells and basophils, which limits the degree of release of mediators of the allergic response. Omalizumab (Xolair) is a healthcare administered subcutaneous (SC) injection that may be also be self-administered if the physician deems appropriate.

Policy Position

Omalizumab (Xolair) administration by a healthcare provider may be considered medically necessary for use in individuals who meet the following criteria for any ONE (1) of the indications listed below:

Asthma

  • Individual is six (6) years of age or older; and
  • Individual diagnosed with moderate to severe persistent asthma; and
  • Individual must be compliant with current therapeutic regimen; and
  • Have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen; and
  • Baseline IgE titer greater than or equal to 30 IU/mL; and
  • Symptoms are inadequately controlled despite a three month trial of the following:
    • A medium or high-dose inhaled corticosteroid; or
    • A systemic corticosteroid; and
      • A long-acting beta-agonists; or
      • A leukotriene receptor antagonist; and
  • Individual is not receiving omalizumab (Xolair) in combination with mepolizumab (Nucala), benralizumab (Fasenra), reslizumab (Cinqair), tezepelumab (Tezspire ) or dupilumab (Dupixent); and
  • Initial authorization period will be for 12 months.

Reauthorization of omalizumab (Xolair) may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met:

  • Treatment with omalizumab (Xolair) has resulted in clinical improvement as documented by ONE or more of the following:
    • Decreased utilization of rescue medications; or
    • Decreased frequency of exacerbations; or
    • Reduction in reported asthma-related symptoms, such as, asthmatic symptoms upon awakening, coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, or wheezing; and
  • Individual is not receiving omalizumab (Xolair) in combination with mepolizumab (Nucala), benralizumab (Fasenra), reslizumab (Cinqair), tezepelumab (Tezspire ) or dupilumab (Dupixent); and
  • Reauthorization will be for no longer than 12 months.

The use of omalizumab (Xolair) for any indication not listed on this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J2357

 

 

 

 

 

 




Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)

  • Individual is 18 years of age or older; and
  • Individual diagnosed with CRSwNP; and
  • Individual has had inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids (eg, fluticasone, mometasone, triamcinolone, etc.); and
  • Omalizumab (Xolair) will be utilized as add-on maintenance treatment; and
  • Initial authorization period will be for 12 months.

Reauthorization of omalizumab (Xolair) may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met:

  • Individual meets all initial authorization criteria; and
  • Individual has demonstrated a clinically meaningful response from baseline; and
  • Reauthorization will be for no longer than 12 months.

The use of omalizumab (Xolair) for any indication not listed on this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J2357

 

 

 

 

 

 




Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

  • Individual is 12 years of age or older; and
  • Individual diagnosed with CSU; and
  • Documented failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a four (4) week trial of one (1) second-generation non-sedating histamine receptor type 1 (H1) antihistamine at the maximum recommended doses (eg, cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine, desloratadine, levocetirizine); and
  • Documented failure, contraindication, or intolerance to at least a two-week trial of ANY ONE of the following medications:
    • Leukotriene receptor antagonist (eg, zafirlukast, montelukast, zileuton) in addition to the non-sedating H1 antihistamine; or
    • Histamine H2-receptor antagonist (eg. cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine) in addition to the non-sedating H1 antihistamine; or
    • First-generation (sedating) H1 antihistamine (eg, chlorpheniramine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine) in addition to the non-sedating H1 antihistamine; or
    • Substitution to a different second-generation non-sedating H1 antihistamine; and 
  • Initial authorization period will be for 12 months.

Reauthorization of omalizumab (Xolair) may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met:

  • Individual meets all initial authorization criteria; and
  • Individual has demonstrated a clinically meaningful response from baseline; and
  • Reauthorization will be for no longer than 12 months.

The use of omalizumab (Xolair) for any indication not listed on this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J2357

 

 

 

 

 

 




IgE Mediated Food Allergy

  • Individual is 1 year of age or older; and
  • Individual has a documented IgE mediated food allergy that is confirmed by one of the following:
    • Positive skin prick test (SPT); or
    • Food allergen specific IgE antibodies; and
  • Individual experiences type one (1) allergic reactions including anaphylaxis with exposure to allergen; and
  • Individual does not experience severe anaphylaxis when exposed to the allergen; and
  • Omalizumab (Xolair) will be used in conjunction with food allergen avoidance; and
  • Omalizumab (Xolair) will not be used for emergency treatment of allergic reactions; and
  • Initial authorization period will be for 12 months.

Reauthorization of omalizumab (Xolair) may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met:

  • Individual meets all initial authorization criteria; and
  • Reauthorization will be for no longer than 12 months.

The use of omalizumab (Xolair) for any indication not listed on this policy is considered not medically necessary.

J2357

 

 

 

 

 

 




NOTE: The risk of anaphylaxis following administration of omalizumab (Xolair) necessitates the need for observation.

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.


Related Policies

Refer to Pharmacy Policy Bulletin J-19 regarding prior authorization information for leukotriene modifiers zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair).

Refer to Pharmacy Policy Bulletin J-1081 regarding prior authorization information for self-administered omalizumab (Xolair).

Refer to medical policy I-6 Approved Drugs and Biologicals for more information.


Covered Diagnosis Codes for J2357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J33.0

J33.1

J33.8

J33.9

J44.0

J44.1

J44.9

J45.40

J45.41

J45.42

J45.50

J45.51

J45.52

J45.901

J45.902

J45.909

J45.990

J45.991

J45.998

L50.1

Z91.010

Z91.011

Z91.012

Z91.013

Z91.018

 

 

 

 



Place of Service: Outpatient

The administration of Omalizumab (Xolair) 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.