HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 
Medical Policy:
L-102-031
Topic:
Drug Testing
Section:
Laboratory
Effective Date:
January 30, 2022
Issued Date:
October 31, 2022
Last Revision Date:
September 2022
Annual Review:
September 2022
 
 

Individuals in pain management and substance abuse treatment programs may misuse prescribed opioids and/or may use non-prescribed drugs. Therefore, individuals in these settings are often assessed before treatment and monitored while they are receiving treatment. Drug screening is one monitoring strategy; it is most often used as part of a multifaceted intervention that includes other components such as individual contracts.

Presumptive (i.e., qualitative, immunoassay) tests are usually performed at the point of service (POS). Immunoassay tests are based on the principle of competitive binding and use antibodies to detect a particular drug or drug metabolite in a sample.

Definitive (i.e., confirmatory, quantitative) tests are always performed in a laboratory and assess multiple drugs at one time. Individual tests are specific to one drug only. Definitive testing is a panel that includes individual drug tests and the associated levels of the specific drugs. Definitive drug testing is more cost effective than individual testing. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is considered to be the gold standard for confirmatory testing

Procedure codes for medically necessary tests within this policy do not require pre-authorization. 

Policy Position

Routine presumptive urine drug testing in substance use disorder treatment (i.e, testing at every visit or without consideration for specific individual risk factors) is considered not medically necessary.

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Definitive (i.e., confirmatory, quantitative) drug testing may be considered medically necessary under ANY ONE of the following conditions:

  • When performed as a reflex by a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory after a positive presumptive test when ANY ONE of the following are met:
    • To verify a presumptive positive urine drug test before reporting the presumptive finding to the ordering clinician and without an additional order from the clinician; or
    • In specific situations for which definitive testing is required for clinical decision making and would significantly change a treatment plan (i.e., to distinguish drug supplementation from products of minor metabolic pathways; to help identify individuals diverting medications); or
    • To identify non-prescribed medication or illicit substance use so as to allow safe prescribing of controlled substances, where the clinician has documented concerns related to safety risks that may arise due to failure to identify non-prescribed medications or illicit substances; or
  • When presumptive drug tests are not available for the drug(s) for which there is a suspicion of abuse or misuse and ALL of the following criteria are met:
    • The clinical presentation of the individual being tested supports the need for the specific drug testing being requested; and
    • Results of testing will impact treatment; and
    • Testing is performed in a CLIA certified laboratory.

Definitive and presumptive drug testing not meeting the criteria as indicated in this policy is considered not medically necessary.

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Limitations

Presumptive drug testing, when billed in any combination, may be considered medically necessary and will only be allowed one (1) per date of service regardless of the number of drug classes tested.

Quantity of laboratory services that exceeds the frequency guidelines listed on the policy are considered not medically necessary.

 

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Definitive drug testing, when billed in any combination, may be considered medically necessary and will be allowed one (1) service per date.

Quantity of laboratory services that exceeds the frequency guidelines listed on the policy are considered not medically necessary.

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Individual drug tests are considered not medically necessary.

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The following drug tests are considered experimental/investigational, and therefore, non-covered because the safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by the available published peer-reviewed literature:

  • Hair drug testing; and
  • Oral fluid drug testing; and
  • Meconium drug testing

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The collection date of the specimen must equal the date of service for the drugs tested.

The following tests are considered non-covered:

  • Non-forensic testing (i.e., job related testing)
  • State/legally mandated drug testing
Related Policies

Refer to Medical Policy I-92, Naltrexone (Vivitrol®) for Treatment of Alcohol and Opioid Dependence, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy I-160, Buprenorphine Implant for Treatment of Opioid Dependence, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy Y-22, Opioid Dependence Therapy, for additional information.


Professional Statements and Societal Positions Guidelines

42 CFR 8.12 - Federal opioid treatment standards 2017
An Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) organizational structure and facilities shall be adequate to ensure quality patient care and to meet the requirements of all pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. At a minimum, each OTP shall formally designate a program sponsor and medical director. The program sponsor shall agree on behalf of the OTP to adhere to all requirements set forth in this part and any regulations regarding the use of opioid agonist treatment medications in the treatment of opioid use disorder which may be promulgated in the future. The medical director shall assume responsibility for administering all medical services performed by the OTP. In addition, the medical director shall be responsible for ensuring that the OTP is in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2016

  • When prescribing opioids for chronic pain, clinicians should use urine drug testing before starting opioid therapy and consider urine drug testing at least annually to assess for prescribed medications as well as other controlled prescription drugs and illicit drugs.

The guideline is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain, improve the safety and effectiveness of pain treatment, and reduce the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) 2015 
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery.

Federal legislation, regulations, and guidelines govern MAT for opioid addiction. SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies (DPT), part of the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), oversees accreditation standards and certification processes for OTPs. DPT also works with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the states to regulate certain medications used in MAT. Additionally, DPT works directly with MAT professionals to improve treatment outcomes and to meet regulatory criteria.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 2017

Appropriate Use of Drug Testing in Clinical Addiction Medicine was published by ASAM in 2017.

  • “As a general principle, drug testing should be scheduled more frequently at the beginning of treatment. The Expert Panel recommends that a patient in early recovery be tested at least weekly. As the patient becomes more stable in recovery, the frequency of drug testing should be decreased, but performed at least on a monthly basis. Individual consideration may be given for less frequent testing if a patient is in stable recovery. If the patient returns to substance use after a period of abstinence, the provider should resume the early recovery testing schedule, possibly in conjunction with an adapted or intensified treatment plan.”


Place of Service: Inpatient/Outpatient

Experimental/Investigational (E/I) services are not covered regardless of place of service.

Drug testing 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.