Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is an injectable chemotherapy drug that is used to treat several different types of cancer. It may be used as a single agent, or in combination with another anti-cancer drug. Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an antimicrotubule, an agent that acts inside of a cell to interfere with microtubules, these are structures needed for cellular reproduction. This interference leads to cell death. As cancer cells divide faster than normal cells, they are more likely to be affected by Paclitaxel (Taxol). Individual premedication prior to the administration of Paclitaxel (Taxol) is required.
Policy Position
Coverage is subject to the specific terms of the member's benefit plan.
The use of Paclitaxel (Taxol) may be considered medically necessary when used in the treatment of the following condition(s):
Bladder Cancer
- Chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin (doublet chemotherapy is preferred) for:
- Individuals who are non-cystectomy candidates
- As adjuvant treatment for reresected clinical stage T1 disease with residual disease; or
- Following incomplete response to intravesical therapy for cytology and bladder-biopsy positive, imaging and cystoscopy-negative recurrent or persistent clinical stage Ta, Tis, or T1 disease; or
- With clinical stage Ta or Tis disease or high-grade clinical T1 disease following resection of recurrence post intravesical therapy (no more than two consecutive cycles); or
- With clinical stage T2-4a disease with negative nodes as primary treatment or as adjuvant treatment if tumor is present following reassessment in individuals with no prior radiation treatment; or
- With clinical stage Ta, Tis, or T1 disease following no response to intravesical BCG used for local recurrence or persistent disease in a preserved bladder; or
- As primary treatment for individuals with
- Clinical stage T2-4a disease with negative nodes for bladder preservation; or
- Clinical stage T4b disease; or
- For individuals with no prior radiation treatment as any one of the following:
- Adjuvant treatment for clinical stage T4b disease with negative nodes following Reassessment; or
- Muscle-invasive disease with local recurrence or persistent disease following bladder preservation; or
- Metastatic or local recurrence post cystectomy; or
- Metastatic disease; or
- As adjuvant treatment for
- Clinical stage T1; or
- Incomplete response to intravesical therapy for bladder positive disease; or
- Clinical stage Tis or Ta following resection of recurrence post intravesical treatment; or
- Radiosensitizing chemotherapy given concurrently with conventionally fractionated radiation for palliation of metastases for pelvic recurrence after cystectomy.
- For use with clinical stage T4b or T2-4a, N1-3 disease, or for recurrence post cystectomy, or metastatic disease as
- First-line chemotherapy in combination with gemcitabine in cisplatin ineligible individuals as an alternate regimen; or
- Subsequent systemic therapy as
- A single agent; or
- In combination with gemcitabine as an alternate regimen for select individuals.
Bladder Cancer - Primary Carcinoma of the Urethra
- Chemoradiotherapy, based on the appropriate histology, in combination with cisplatin (doublet chemotherapy is preferred) as:
- Neoadjuvant treatment for clinical stage T2 disease prior to urethrectomy; or
- As primary treatment for
- Clinical stage T2 disease of the female urethra; or
- Clinical stage T3-4 disease or palpable inguinal lymph nodes (preferred for CN0 disease); or
- A adjuvant treatment for
- Clinical stage T2 disease with positive margins in the pendulous urethra (preferred); or
- For pathologic stage T3-4, N1-2 disease in the bulbar urethra; or
- For recurrence of clinical stage T2 disease; clinical stage T3-4 disease; or palpable inguinal lymph nodes; or
- For metastatic disease.
- For recurrent or metastatic disease as based on the appropriate histology as:
- First line chemotherapy in combination with gemcitabine in cisplatin ineligible individuals as an alternate regimen; or
- Subsequent systemic therapy as
- A single agent; or
- In combination with gemcitabine as alternate regimen for select individuals.
Bladder Cancer - Upper GU Tract Tumors
- May be considered for metastatic disease for:
- First-line chemotherapy in combination with gemcitabine in cisplatin ineligible individuals as an alternate regimen; or
- Subsequent systemic therapy as:
- A single agent; or
- In combination with gemcitabine as an alternate regimen for select individuals.
Bladder Cancer - Urothelial Carcinoma of the Prostate
- May be considered for metastatic disease for:
- First-line chemotherapy in combination with gemcitabine in cisplatin ineligible individuals as an alternate regimen; or
- Subsequent systemic therapy as:
- A single agent; or
- In combination with gemcitabine as an alternate regimen for select individuals.
Bladder Cancer - Non-Urothelial and Urothelial with Variant Histology
- For pure squamous, and pure adenocarcinoma, including urachal, paclitaxel (Taxol) may be considered in combination with cisplatin and ifosfamide in select individuals with advanced disease; or
- In combination with carboplatin or cisplatin in select individuals with advanced disease.
Breast Cancer – Invasive
As per the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA): Paclitaxel (Taxol) is indicated for the adjuvant
treatment of node-positive breast cancer administered sequentially to standard
doxorubicin containing chemotherapy combination.
Paclitaxel (Taxol) is indicated for
the treatment of breast cancer after the failure of combination chemotherapy
for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically
contraindicated.
- Preoperative systemic therapy for individuals with
stage IIA (T2,N0,M0), IIB (T2,N1,M0 or T3,N0,M0), or stage IIIA (T3, N1,
M0) disease who desire breast preservation and fulfill criteria for
breast-conserving surgery except for tumor size or for locally advanced
disease [stage IIIA (any T,N2,M0), IIIB, or IIIC] for:
- Following dose-dense (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
)
(AC) as a component of a weekly or dose-dense regimen (preferred) for
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors; or
- Administered weekly following AC every 21 days regimen
for HER2-negative tumors; or
- In combination with trastuzumab with, or, without
pertuzumab, following AC regimen (preferred regimen) for (HER2)-positive
tumors; or
- In combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab prior
to or following fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC)
regimen for HER2-positive tumors.
- Adjuvant systemic therapy for stage I, IIA, IIB, or
IIIA (T3, N1, M0) disease, or for locally advanced disease [stage
IIIA (any T, N2, M0), IIIB, or IIIc]:
- Following dose dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
(AC) as a component of a weekly or dose-dense regimen (preferred) for
(HER2)-negative tumors; or
- Administered weekly following AC regimen every 21 days
regimen for HER2-negative tumors; or
- In combination with trastuzumab following AC regimen
(preferred) for (HER2)-positive tumors; or
- In combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab
following AC regimen (preferred regimen) or prior to or following
FEC/(fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide) regimen for
HER2-positive, ≥T2 or ≥N1 early stage breast cancer if a
pertuzumab-containing regimen was not used as neoadjuvant therapy.
- In combination with trastuzumab for low risk stage I,
HER2-positive tumors, especially for individuals not eligible for other
standard adjuvant regimens due to comorbidities.
- Exceptions to the above include individuals with any of
the following:
- Ductal, lobular, mixed, and metaplastic HER-2 negative
tumors that are ≤0.5 cm or micro-invasive and node negative(pN0); or
- Ductal, lobular, mixed, and metaplastic hormone
receptor positive, HER2 negative tumors that are >0.5 cm with low
recurrence score (<18) on gene assay; or
- Tubular and mucinous tumors that are hormone
receptor-positive and pN0 or pN1mi (≤2 mm axillary node metastasis.
- Preferred single agent in combination with
bevacizumab, or as a component of gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol) (GT)
regimen for recurrent or metastatic human epidermal growth factor
receptor 2 (HER2)-negative disease with
- Symptomatic visceral disease or visceral crisis, or
- Hormone receptor-negative or hormone
receptor-positive and endocrine therapy refractory.
- Used for recurrent or metastatic human epidermal
growth factor receptor 2-positive disease that is either hormone
receptor-negative or hormone receptor-positive and endocrine therapy
refractory for symptomatic visceral disease or visceral crisis:
- As preferred first-line therapy in combination with
pertuzumab and trastuzumab; or
- In combination with trastuzumab with or without
carboplatin, or
May be considered in combination with pertuzumab
and trastuzumab for one line of therapy beyond first-line therapy in
individuals previously treated with chemotherapy and trastuzumab in the absence
of pertuzumab.
Breast Cancer- during pregnancy
- Weekly paclitaxel (Taxol) can be used in pregnant women
with confirmed breast cancer and no distant metastases if clinically
indicated by disease status for:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the second and early third
trimesters; or
- Adjuvant chemotherapy in the second and third trimesters
if not used in the neoadjuvant setting.
Cervical Cancer
- First-line therapy as a single agent, in combination
with carboplatin, cisplatin or topotecan with or without bevacizumab for:
- Local/regional recurrence; or
- Distant metastases.
Esophageal and Esophagogastric
Junction Cancers
- Preoperative chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin as a preferred regimen, or with fluorouracil or capecitabine
as primary treatment for individuals who are medically fit for surgery and
have:
- Non-cervical esophagus cT1b-T4a, N0-N+ squamous cell
carcinoma; or
- CT1b-T4a, N0-N+ adenocarcinoma (preferred option over
preoperative chemotherapy,
- Definitive chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin as a preferred regimen, or with cisplatin, fluorouracil, or
capecitabine for:
- Primary treatment of individuals:
- With cT1b-T4a, N0-N+ disease who are medically fit
for surgery yet decline surgery (recommended option for cervical
esophagus squamous cell carcinoma); or
- With cT4b disease who are medically fit for surgery, or
- Who are non-surgical candidates with cT1b-T4a,
N0-N+or unresectable cT4b disease; or
- After endoscopic resection with or without ablation
for non-surgical candidates with pT1b N0 disease and poor prognostic
features.
- Concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin as a preferred regimen, or with cisplatin, fluorouracil, or
capecitabine for locoregional recurrence in individuals who have had esophagectomy
but no prior chemoradiation.
- Palliative therapy for individuals with unresectable
locally advanced recurrent, or metastatic disease and Karnofsky
performance score ≥60% or ECOG performance score ≤2 as:
- First-line therapy in combination with cisplatin or
carboplatin, or as a single agent,\; or
- Preferred second-line therapy as a single agent or for
esophagogastric junction (EGJ) or esophageal adenocarcinoma in
combination with ramucirumab.
Trastuzumab should be added to
first-line chemotherapy for HER2 overexpressing metastatic adenocarcinoma.
Gastric Cancer
- Preoperative chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin as a preferred regimen or with capecitabine or fluorouracil
for resectable locoregional disease (cT2 or higher by clinical staging,
any N) in medically fit individuals; or
- Primary treatment as chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin as preferred regimen or with capecitabine or fluorouracil for:
- Surgically unresectable locoregional disease; or
- Locoregional disease in non-surgical candidates
- First-line chemotherapy with the addition of
trastuzumab for HER2 overexpressing metastatic adenocarcinoma; or
- Palliative therapy for individuals who are not surgical
candidates or have unresectable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic
disease and Karnofsky performance score > 60% to ECOG performance score
of < 2 as:
- First-line therapy in combination with cisplatin
or carboplatin, or as a single agent; or
- Second-line therapy as a single agent or in
combination with ramucirumab (both preferred regimens).
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Glottic Larynx
- For induction chemotherapy in combination with
cisplatin and infusional fluorouracil for:
- For T3, N0-3 disease requiring (amenable to) total
laryngectomy; or
- Consider for selected T4a individuals who decline
surgery; or
- For T3, N2-3 and selected T4a, or T3, N0-1 disease.
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for:
- For T3, N0-3 disease requiring (amenable to) total
laryngectomy; or
- Consider for selected T4a individuals who decline
surgery.
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Hypopharynx
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for:
- T1, N+; or
- T2-3, any N disease requiring (amenable to)
pharyngectomy with total laryngectomy; or
- T4a, any N disease.
- Induction chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin
and infusional fluorouracil for:
- T1, N+; or
- T2-3, any N disease requiring (amenable to)
pharyngectomy with total laryngectomy; or
- T4a, any N disease.
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Lip
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for individuals with T3-4a, N0 or for individuals
with any T, N1-3 disease who are candidates for but do not receive
surgery.
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Nasopharynx
- Induction chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin
and epirubicin for:
- T1, N1-3 disease; or
- T2-4, any N disease.
- Primary therapy in combination with cisplatin or
carboplatin for any T, any N, M1 disease.
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Oropharynx
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for:
- T2, N1 disease; or
- T3-4a, N0-1 disease; or
- any T, N2-3 disease.
- Induction chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin
and infusional fluorouracil for:
- T3-4a, N0-1 disease; or
- any T, N2-3 disease.
Head and Neck Cancers - Cancer of
the Supraglottic Larynx
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for:
- T3, N0 and most T3, N2-3 disease requiring (amenable
to) total laryngectomy; or
- T1-2, N+ and selected T3, N1 disease amenable to
larynx-preserving (conservation) surgery; or
- Consider for T4a, N0-3 individuals who decline
surgery.
- Induction chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin
and infusional fluorouracil for:
- T3, N0 and most T3, N2-3 disease requiring (amenable
to) total laryngectomy; or
- T1-2, N+ and selected T3, N1 disease amenable to
larynx-preserving (conservation) surgery; or
- T4a, N0-3 individuals who decline surgery.
Head and Neck Cancers - Ethmoid
Sinus Tumors
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for:
- Newly diagnosed T3-4b disease; or
- Individuals who decline surgery; or
- Cancer diagnosed after incomplete excision with gross
residual disease.
Head and Neck Cancers - Maxillary
Sinus Tumors
- Consider preoperative concurrent chemoradiation in
combination with cisplatin or carboplatin in select individuals with
T3-4a, N0; or
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
cisplatin or carboplatin for T4b, any N.
Head and Neck Cancers - Occult
Primary
- Initial definitive treatment for:
- Concurrent chemoradiation for ≥N2 disease in
combination with cisplatin or carboplatin; or
- Induction chemotherapy in combination with cisplatin
and fluorouracil.
Head and Neck Cancers - Advanced,
Recurrent, Persistent
- Primary concurrent chemoradiation for
non-nasopharyngeal cancer in combination with cisplatin or carboplatin for
individuals:
- Newly diagnosed T4b, any N, M0 disease, unresectable
nodal disease with no metastases, for those who are unfit for
surgery; or
- Unresectable locoregional recurrence without prior
radiation therapy (RT) and performance status (PS) 0-2; or
- Metastatic (M1) disease at initial presentation or
recurrent/persistent disease with distant metastases and PS 0-1; or
- Resectable locoregional recurrence without prior RT; or
- Unresectable locoregional recurrence or second primary
with prior RT.
- Induction chemotherapy for non-nasopharyngeal cancer in
combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil in individuals with
performance status 0-1 for:
- Newly diagnosed T4b, any N, M0
disease, unresectable nodal disease with no metastases, or
individuals unfit for surgery; or
- Unresectable locoregional recurrence in individuals
who have not received prior radiation therapy.
- Induction chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer in
combination with cisplatin and epirubicin in individuals:
- With performance status 0-1 for newly diagnosed T4b,
and N, Mo disease, unresectable nodal disease with no metastases,
or who are unfit for surgery.
- Therapy as:
- A single agent for individuals with newly diagnosed
T4b, any N, M0 disease, unresectable nodal disease with no metastases, or
individuals unfit for surgery and performance status (PS) 3; or
- A single agent in PS 0-2 individuals or in combination
(PS 0-1) with cisplatin or carboplatin with (non-nasopharyngeal cancer)
or without cetuximab for metastatic (M1) disease at initial presentation,
recurrent/persistent disease with distant metastases, or unresectable
locoregional recurrence or second primary with prior RT; or
A single agent for
non-nasopharyngeal cancer with unresectable locoregional recurrence without
prior RT and PS 3.
Kaposi sarcoma – AIDS related
- Paclitaxel (Taxol) is indicated for the second-line
treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Kidney Cancer
- May be used for relapse or stage IV disease in
combination with carboplatin for collecting duct or medullary subtypes.
Melanoma
- As a single agent, or in combination with carboplatin,
in cytotoxic therapy for metastatic or unresectable disease as
second-line, or subsequent therapy for disease progression, after maximum
clinical benefit from BRAF (the gene for B-type Raf kinase) targeted
therapy for individuals with performance status 0-2.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
- Indicated for first-line treatment in combination with
cisplatin for individuals who are not candidates for potentially curative
surgery and/or radiation therapy.
- Preoperative concurrent chemoradiation in combination
with carboplatin for individuals with comorbidities or who are unable to
tolerate cisplatin for:
- Resectable or possibly resectable superior sulcus
tumors (T3 invasion or T4 extension, N01); or
- T3 invasion or resectable T4 extension, N0-1 disease
in the chest wall, proximal airway, or mediastinum.
- In combination with carboplatin for individuals with
comorbidities or who are unable to tolerate cisplatin for:
- Use as induction chemotherapy for:
- Operable stage IB (peripheral T2a, N0); or
- Stage I (central T1ab-2a, N0); or
- Stage II (T1ab-2ab, N1 or T2b, N0); or
- Stage IIB (T3, N0); or
- Stage IIIA (T3, N1) with negative mediastinal
nodes as an alternative for likely to receive adjuvant
chemotherapy, or
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for :
- T3 invasion
; or
- Resectable T4 extension; or
- N0-1 disease in the chest wall, proximal airway, or
mediastinum, or
- Induction chemotherapy
- With or without radiation for T1-2 or T3 (other than
invasive), N2, M0, or
- For T1-3, N0-1 (including T3 with multiple nodules in
the same lobe) as an alternative for individuals likely to receive
adjuvant chemotherapy.
- Initial treatment as definitive concurrent chemoradiation
in combination with carboplatin (with or without an additional two cycles
of paclitaxel (Taxol) and carboplatin after concurrent chemoradiation) for
individuals with comorbidities or who are unable to tolerate cisplatin
for:
- Medically inoperable stage IB (peripheral T2a, N0), or
- Stage I (central T1ab-2a, N0); or
- Stage II (T1ab-2ab, N1 or T2b, N0); or
- Stage IIB (T3, N0); or
- Stage IIIA (T3,N1) with negative mediastinal nodes and
N1 disease; or
- Unresectable superior sulcus tumors (T4 extension,
N0-1); or
- Unresectable stage IIIA (T4, N0-1); or
- T1-2 or T3 (other than invasive), N2 nodes positive,
M0; or
- T3 invasion, N2 nodes positive, M0; or
- Stage IIIB (T1-3, N3 positive, M0); or
- Contralateral or ipsilateral mediastinal node-positive
stage IIIB (T4 extension, N2-3) or
- Stage IV, M1b disease and limited non-brain metastases
confirmed, if definitive therapy for thoracic disease is feasible.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with carboplatin
for individuals with comorbidities or who are unable to tolerate cisplatin
for:
- Consider following definitive radiation therapy in
medically inoperable high-risk stage IB (peripheral T2a, N0), stage I
(central T1ab-2a, N0), stage II (T1ab- 2ab, N1; T2b, N0), or stage
IIB (T3, N0) or stage IIIA (T3,N1) with negative mediastinal nodes and N0
disease; or
- For high-risk, margin-negative stage IB (T2a, N0) and
IIA (T2b, N0); or
- For margin-positive stage IB (T2a, N0) and IIA (T2b,
N0); or
- For margin-positive stage IIA (T2b, N0) following
radiation; or
- For stage IIA (T1ab-2a, N1) and IIB (T3, N0; T2b, N1);
or
- For margin-negative stage IIIA (T1-3, N2; T3, N1); or
- For resectable superior sulcus tumors (T3 invasion, T4
extension, N0-1) , or
- For T3 invasion or resectable T4 extension, N0-1
tumors in the chest wall, proximal airway, or mediastinum if not given as
initial treatment; or
- For clinical stage IIIA disease (T1-3, including T3
with multiple nodules in the same lobe) that was clinically N2 but has
negative N2, N3nodes on mediastinal biopsy and negative margins
post-surgery; or
- For clinical stage IIIA disease (T1-2, T3 other than
invasive, N2 nodes positive, M0) with no apparent progression or local
progression; or
- For separate pulmonary nodule(s) in the same lobe (T3)
or ipsilateral nonprimary lobe (T4), N0-1; or
- For margin-negative or margin-positive, R1 separate
pulmonary nodule(s) in the same lobe (T3) or ipsilateral nonprimary lobe
(T4), N2.
- Adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin with or without an additional 2 cycles of paclitaxel (Taxol)
and carboplatin after concurrent chemoradiation)for:
- Margin-positive stage IIA (T1ab-2a, N1) and IIB (T3,
N0; T2b, N1); or
- Margin-positive stage IIIA (T1-3, N2; T3, N1); or
- Margin-positive T3 invasion or resectable T4
extension, N0-1 tumors in the chest wall, proximal airway, or mediastinum
if not given as initial treatment; or
- Clinical stage IIIA disease (T1-3, including T3 with
multiple nodules in the same lobe) that was clinically N2 but has
negative N2, N3 nodes on mediastinal biopsy and positive margins
post-surgery; or
- Margin-positive separate pulmonary nodule(s) in the
same lobe (T3) or ipsilateral nonprimary lobe (T4), N2.
- Sequential chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin for:
- Initial definitive therapy for medically inoperable
stage IB (peripheral T2a, N0), or
- Stage I (central T1ab-2a, N0); or
- Stage II (T1ab-2ab, N1 or T2b, N0); or
- Stage IIB (T3, N0) with negative mediastinal nodes
and N1 disease; or
- Stage IIIA (T3, N1) with negative mediastinal nodes
and N1 disease.
- Adjuvant therapy for margin-positive
- R1 stage IIA (T1ab-2a, N1) and IIB (T3, N0; T2b, N1);
or
- R1 stage IIIA (T1-3, N2; T3, N1); or
- R1 T3 invasion or resectable T4 extension, N0-1
tumors in the chest wall, proximal airway, or mediastinum if not given
as initial treatment;or
- R1 separate pulmonary nodule(s) in the same lobe (T3)
or ipsilateral non-primary lobe (T4), N2; or
- Adjuvant therapy for margin-negative T1-3, N2; or
- Adjuvant treatment for clinical stage IIIA disease
(T1-3, including T3 with multiple nodules in the same lobe) that was
clinically N2 but has negative N2, N3 nodes on mediastinal biopsy
and R1 positive margins post-surgery;or
- Definitive therapy, if feasible, for thoracic disease
in individuals with stage IV, M1b disease and limited non-brain
metastases confirmed.
- Concurrent chemoradiation in combination with
carboplatin (with or without an additional two cycles of palcitaxel and
carboplatin after concurrent chemoradiation) if radiation not previously
given for locoregional recurrence in the mediastinal lymph nodes or for
superior vena cava obstruction.
- Treatment for recurrence or metastasis as a single
agent for individuals with performance status (PS) 2, in combination with
cisplatin for (PS) 0-1 or in combination with carboplatin for (PS) 0-2
- Frst-line therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), ROS1, and programmed death
ligand 1 (PD-L1) negative or unknown, or
- Subsequent therapy for:
- Sensitizing EGFR mutation-positive tumors and prior
erlotinib, afatinib, gefitinib, or osimertinib therapy; or
- ALK rearrangement-positive tumors and prior
crizotinib, ceritinib, or alectinib therapy; or
- ROS1 rearrangement-positive tumors and prior
crizotinib therapy; or
- PD-L1 expression-positive (> 50%) and EGFR, ALK,
and ROS1 negative tumors and prior pembrolizumab therapy.
- Treatment in combination with bevacizumab and
carboplatin for recurrence or metastasis in individuals with performance
status (PS) 0-1, tumors of nonsquamous cell histology, and no history of
recent:
- First-line therapy for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and PD-L1
negative or unknown; or
- Subsequent therapy for:
- Sensitizing EGFR mutation-positive tumors and prior
erlotinib, agatinib, gefitinib, or osimertinib therapy; or
- ALK rearrangement-positive tumors and prior
crizotinib, ceritinib, or alectinib therapy; or
- ROS1 rearrangement-positive tumors and prior
crizotinib therapy; or
- PD-L1 expression-positive (> 50%) and EGFR, ALK,
and ROS1 negative tumors and prior pembrolizumab therapy.
Occult Primary
- Chemoradiation in combination with carboplatin with or
without etoposide in symptomatic individuals with performance status (PS)
1-2 or asymptomatic individuals with PS 0 and aggressive disease for
localized disease or inguinal nodal involvement; or
- Used in combination with carboplatin with or without
etoposide in symptomatic with performance status (PS) 1-2 or asymptomatic
individuals with PS 0 and aggressive disease for:
- Axillary involvement in men if clinically indicated; or
- Lung nodules or breast marker-negative pleural
effusion; or
- Resectable liver disease; or
- Peritoneal mass or ascites with nonovarian histology; or
- Retroperitoneal mass of non-germ cell histology
in selected individuals; or
- Unresectable liver disease or disseminated metastases.
- Used in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin in
symptomatic individuals with performance status (PS) 1-2 or asymptomatic
individuals with PS 0 and aggressive disease for:
- Chemoradiation in individuals with axillary or
inguinal nodal involvement; or
- Chemotherapy in individuals with multiple lung
nodules, pleural effusion, or disseminated metastases.
Ovarian Cancer – Borderline and Low-Grade (Grade 1), Serous/Endometroid Epithelial Carcinoma
- As approved by the FDA, paclitaxel (Taxol) is indicated for use as subsequent therapy for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the ovary, or in combination with cisplatin as first-line therapy.
- As adjuvant treatment in combination with:
- Carboplatin for pathologic stage IC-IV low grade disease or borderline epithelial tumors with invasive implants; or
- Bevacizumab and carboplatin for pathological stage III-IV low grade disease or borderline epithelial tumors with invasive implants; or
- Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in combination with IV paclitaxel (Taxol) and IP cisplatin or carboplatin for less than 1 cm optimally debulked stage II and III low grade disease or borderline epithelial tumors with invasive implants.
Ovarian Cancer –
Carcinosarcoma (Malignant Mixed)
- As adjuvant treatment:
- In combination with carboplatin with or without
bevacizumab for pathologic stage I-IV disease; or
- As (preferred) intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in
combination with IV paclitaxel (Taxol) and IP cisplatin or carboplatin
for less than 1 cm optimally debulked stage II and III disease; or
- In combination with ifosfamide for pathologic stage
I-IV disease.
Ovarian Cancer –
Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary
·
As adjuvant treatment:
o In
combination with carboplatin for pathologic stage IA-IV disease; or
o
In combination with bevacizumab and carboplatin for
pathological stage II-IV disease.
· Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in combination with IV paclitaxel
(Taxol) and IP cisplatin or carboplatin for less than 1 cm optimally debulked
stage II and III disease.
Covered Diagnosis Codes
B20
|
C00.0
|
C00.1
|
C00.3
|
C00.4
|
C00.5
|
C00.6
|
C00.8
|
C01
|
C02.0
|
C02.1
|
C02.2
|
C02.3
|
C02.4
|
C02.8
|
C02.9
|
C03.0
|
C03.1
|
C03.9
|
C04.0
|
C04.1
|
C04.8
|
C04.9
|
C05.0
|
C05.1
|
C05.2
|
C05.8
|
C05.9
|
C06.0
|
C06.1
|
C06.2
|
C06.80
|
C06.89
|
C07
|
C08.0
|
C08.1
|
C08.9
|
C09.0
|
C09.1
|
C09.8
|
C09.9
|
C10.0
|
C10.1
|
C10.2
|
C10.3
|
C10.8
|
C11.0
|
C11.1
|
C11.2
|
C11.3
|
C11.8
|
C11.9
|
C12
|
C13.0
|
C13.1
|
C13.2
|
C13.8
|
C14.0
|
C14.2
|
C14.8
|
C15.3
|
C15.4
|
C15.5
|
C15.8
|
C16.0
|
C16.1
|
C16.2
|
C16.3
|
C16.4
|
C16.5
|
C16.6
|
C16.8
|
C16.9
|
C31.0
|
C31.1
|
C31.2
|
C31.3
|
C31.8
|
C32.0
|
C32.1
|
C32.2
|
C32.3
|
C32.8
|
C32.9
|
C33
|
C34.01
|
C34.02
|
C34.2
|
C34.31
|
C34.32
|
C34.81
|
C34.82
|
C34.91
|
C34.92
|
C37
|
C43.0
|
C43.11
|
C43.111
|
C43.12
|
C43.121
|
C43.112
|
C43.122
|
C43.20
|
C43.21
|
C43.22
|
C43.30
|
C43.31
|
C43.39
|
C43.4
|
C43.51
|
C43.52
|
C43.59
|
C43.60
|
C43.61
|
C43.62
|
C43.71
|
C43.72
|
C43.8
|
C45.1
|
C45.9
|
C46.0
|
C46.1
|
C46.2
|
C46.3
|
C46.4
|
C46.51
|
C46.52
|
C46.7
|
C47.0
|
C47.10
|
C47.12
|
C47.20
|
C47.21
|
C47.22
|
C47.3
|
C47.4
|
C47.5
|
C47.6
|
C47.8
|
C47.9
|
C48.0
|
C48.2
|
C48.8
|
C49.0
|
C49.11
|
C49.12
|
C49.21
|
C49.22
|
C49.3
|
C49.4
|
C49.6
|
C49.9
|
C50.011
|
C50.012
|
C50.021
|
C50.022
|
C50.111
|
C50.112
|
C50.119
|
C50.121
|
C50.122
|
C50.211
|
C50.212
|
C50.221
|
C50.222
|
C50.311
|
C50.312
|
C50.321
|
C50.322
|
C50.411
|
C50.412
|
C50.421
|
C50.422
|
C50.511
|
C50.512
|
C50.521
|
C50.522
|
C50.611
|
C50.612
|
C50.621
|
C50.622
|
C50.811
|
C50.812
|
C50.821
|
C50.822
|
C50.911
|
C50.912
|
C50.921
|
C50.922
|
C51.0
|
C51.1
|
C51.2
|
C51.8
|
C51.9
|
C53.0
|
C53.1
|
C53.8
|
C53.9
|
C54.0
|
C54.1
|
C54.2
|
C54.3
|
C54.9
|
C56.1
|
C56.2
|
C56.9
|
C57.01
|
C57.02
|
C57.11
|
C57.12
|
C57.21
|
C57.22
|
C57.3
|
C57.4
|
C57.4
|
C57.7
|
C57.8
|
C57.9
|
C60.0
|
C60.1
|
C60.2
|
C61
|
C62.01
|
C62.02
|
C62.10
|
C62.11
|
C62.91
|
C62.92
|
C63.7
|
C63.8
|
C63.9
|
C64.1
|
C64.2
|
C65.1
|
C65.2
|
C66.2
|
C67.0
|
C67.1
|
C67.2
|
C67.3
|
C67.4
|
C67.5
|
C67.6
|
C67.7
|
C67.8
|
C67.9
|
C68.0
|
C69.61
|
C69.62
|
C73
|
C76.0
|
C78.01
|
C78.01
|
C78.02
|
C78.89
|
C79.11
|
C79.19
|
C79.31
|
C79.49
|
C79.51
|
C79.82
|
C80.1
|
D09.0
|
D37.01
|
D37.02
|
D37.05
|
D37.09
|
D37.1
|
D37.3
|
D37.4
|
D37.5
|
D37.9
|
D38.0
|
D38.5
|
D39.10
|
D39.11
|
D39.12
|
D40.10
|
D40.11
|
D40.12
|
D43.8
|
O9A.111
|
O9A.112
|
O9A.113
|
Z80.49
|
Z85.00
|
Z85.01
|
Z85.028
|
Z85.09
|
Z85.12
|
Z85.20
|
Z85.21
|
Z85.22
|
Z85.3
|
Z85.40
|
Z85.41
|
Z85.42
|
Z85.44
|
Z85.45
|
Z85.46
|
Z85.47
|
Z85.48
|
Z85.49
|
Z85.50
|
Z85.51
|
Z85.520
|
Z85.528
|
Z85.53
|
Z85.59
|
Z85.810
|
Z85.819
|
Z85.820
|
Z85.831
|
Z85.9
|
Z90.6
|
Z92.21
|
Z92.22
|
|
|
|
|
|
Place of Service: Outpatient
Experimental/Investigational (E/I) services are not covered regardless of place of service.
The administration of Paclitaxel (Taxol) 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
Services that do not meet the criteria of this policy will be considered experimental/investigational (E/I). A network provider can bill the member for the experimental/investigational service. The provider must give advance written notice informing the member that the service has been deemed E/I. The member must be provided with an estimate of the cost and the member must agree in writing to assume financial responsibility in advance of receiving the service. The signed agreement must be maintained in the provider’s records.
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 languagesIf 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.
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:
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.