HIGHMARK COMMERCIAL MEDICAL POLICY - PENNSYLVANIA

 
 

Medical Policy:
S-55-052
Topic:
Surgical Treatment of Varicose Veins
Section:
Surgery
Effective Date:
May 27, 2024
Issued Date:
May 27, 2024
Last Revision Date:
April 2024
Annual Review:
November 2023
 
 

A variety of treatment modalities are available to treat varicose veins/venous insufficiency, including surgical approaches, thermal ablation, and sclerotherapy. The application of each of these treatment options is influenced by the severity of the symptoms, type of vein, source of venous reflux, and the use of other (prior or concurrent) treatments.

The following are the medical definitions for the terms in the related Medical Policies under the Policy Position:

Cyanoacrylate Adhesive (Great Saphenous, Small Saphenous and Accessory Saphenous Veins):

  • Chemical adhesive (also known as glue embolization, glue adhesive ablation or cyanoacrylate adhesive) is a procedure where an embolic agent is injected into the vein. The embolic agent polymerizes upon contact with blood and causes the adhesive to form a solid, permanent implant, thus closing the vein. There is no tumescent local anesthesia required, minimizing risks and no postoperative compression therapy required.
  • The technique of cyanoacrylate closure (CAC), which is one of the most common liquid embolic agents, uses a proprietary adhesive for the treatment of refluxing saphenous veins.

Echosclerotherapy:

  • Echosclerotherapy is a technique used for perforator veins. Duplex ultrasound guidance is used to inject a sclerosing agent into varicose veins.

Endovenous Radiofrequency, Endovenous Laser Ablation/Treatment (EVLA/EVLT)

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive endovenous thermal ablation procedure that involves using ultrasound guidance to puncture the vein, position a catheter and perform tumescent anesthesia. Radiofrequency current is delivered resulting in heat destruction while an inflammatory response enhances wall destruction. The purpose of RFA is to damage the collagen of the vein wall resulting in fibrosis and occlusion of a vein segment to eliminate reflux. This procedure may be performed in the outpatient setting.

  • ELVA/EVLT is a minimally invasive alternative to high ligation and saphenous vein stripping HL/S. It is only a treatment option for sufficiently straight superficial vein segments that will allow passage of the device. The purpose of ELVA/EVLT is to damage the endothelium of the vein resulting in fibrosis and occlusion of a vein segment to eliminate reflux. The thermal ablation techniques are appropriate for the primary treatment of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) and/or smaller saphenous vein (SSV), and incompetent accessory saphenous veins.

Ligation and Stripping and Phlebectomy (i.e., Stab, Hook, Transilluminated Powered): 

  • The traditional treatment of varicose veins in the lower legs includes a surgical procedure called (HL/S). Its primary goal is removal of refluxing veins and improvement of symptoms. HL/S is typically a three-step process. The first step is controlling reflux by proximal ligation of an incompetent vein. The second step is stripping a vein segment (usually the GSV or SSV) or removing of an incompetent long axial vein segment (usually the saphenous vein) from circulation through incisions in the groin and lower in the leg. The third step is removing tributaries via stab phlebectomies or sclerotherapy, either at the time of ligation or subsequent to the ligation. Phlebectomy, also referred to as stab avulsion, ambulatory stab phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a surgical treatment involving the removal of varicose veins through small “stab” 1-2 mm incisions in the skin overlying the vein. The vein is hooked and brought to the surface at each incision site to release it from the surrounding tissues and to sever any connections to other veins.

Mechanochemical Ablation (MOCA/MECA):

  • MOCA/MECA is a technique used to ablate superficial veins with an oscillating wire that rotates and disrupts the endothelial lining of target veins while a sclerosant is injected to penetrate the deep layers of the vein causing vein sclerosis. This technique is appropriate for the treatment of truncal veins.

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam):

  • Sclerotherapy is a treatment of the veins using liquid sclerosant agents or sclerosing foam. Sclerosing agents are chemical agents that cause endothelial damage leading to sclerosis of the venous segment once it is injected into the vein lumen. Sclerosing foam is made from a sclerosant agent and a gas.

Liquid Sclerosant:

  • Liquid sclerosant is often used to treat cosmetic telangiectasias and reticular veins. Liquid sclerotherapy is also of value in addressing bleeding telangiectasias and for select cases of large vein treatment where unique individual features suggest liquid may be a safer option.
  • Some examples (not all inclusive) of agents for sclerotherapy include sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS), polidocanol, sodium morrhuate, and glycerin, which is typically used with epinephrine.

Foam Sclerosant: Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS):

  • Foam sclerosant is a procedure that is performed under ultrasound guidance. There are different types of foam: physician-compounded foam (PCF) and non-compounded foam (NCF). The target, non-target, perforating, and adjacent deep veins are evaluated by ultrasound. UGFS is used for treatment of primary and recurrent varicose veins, including the distal GSV and SSV, perforating veins, and venous malformations.

Treatment Session:

  • A treatment session (visit) includes the treatment provided on the SAME day to 1 or more veins in the SAME leg.

VEIN ANATOMY

  • Main Veins: Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV) , Superficial Saphenous Vein/ Long Saphenous Vein (SSV/LSV)
  • Accessory Veins: Anterior saphenous, Anterior Circumflex, Anterior Branch Lateral saphenous, Posterior Circumflex, Posterior medial branch
  • Tributary Veins: smaller branches of all of the above listed veins
  • Perforator Veins: Cockett’s, Boyd’s, Dodd’s, Hunter’s, May’s, Kuster’s
  • Telangiectasia/Reticular Veins: Spider Veins (considered cosmetic)

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS:

  • CFV - Common Femoral Vein: normal
  • PFV - Proximal Femoral Vein
  • MFV - Mid Femoral Vein
  • DFV - Distal Femoral Vein: positive compress
  • Pop V - Popliteal Vein: normal
  • SFJ - Saphenofemoral Junction: normal
  • AAGSV - Anterior Accessory Great Saphenous Vein
  • PAGSV - Posterior Accessory Great Saphenous Vein
  • PGSV - Proximal Great Saphenous Vein
  • MGSV - Mid Great Saphenous Vein
  • AAGSV Calf - Anterior Accessory Great Saphenous Vein Calf
  • PAGSV Calf - Posterior Accessory Great Saphenous Vein Calf
  • SPJ - Saphenopopliteal Junction
  • PSSV - Proximal Small Saphenous Vein
  • MSSV - Mid Small Saphenous Vein
  • TESSV - Thigh Extension Small Saphenous Vein

The standard classification of venous disease is the CEAP (Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathophysiologic) classification system.

Class

Definition

C0

No visible or palpable signs of venous disease

C1

Telangiectasies or reticular veins

C2

Varicose veins

C2r

Recurrent varicose veins

C3

Edema

C4

Changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue secondary to cardiovascular disease (CVD)

C4a

Pigmentation and eczema

C4b

Lipodermatosclerosis or atrophie blanche

C4C

Corona phlebectatica

C5

Healed

C6

Active venous ulcer

C6r

Recurrent active venous ulcer

S

Symptomatic

A

Asymptomatic

 

Policy Position

Treatment of symptomatic varicose veins using one or more of the following varicose vein treatments may be considered medically necessary when the applicable clinical criteria contained within the related individual treatment modality policy/guideline are met.

Procedure Code

Code Description

Policy/Guideline Number

Policy/Guideline Title

36465

INJECTION OF NON-COMPOUNDED FOAM SCLEROSANT WITH ULTRASOUND COMPRESSION MANEUVERS TO GUIDE DISPERSION OF THE INJECTATE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING; SINGLE INCOMPETENT EXTREMITY TRUNCAL VEIN (EG, GREAT SAPHENOUS VEIN, ACCESSORY SAPHENOUS VEIN)

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

36466

INJECTION OF NON-COMPOUNDED FOAM SCLEROSANT WITH ULTRASOUND COMPRESSION MANEUVERS TO GUIDE DISPERSION OF THE INJECTATE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING; MULTIPLE INCOMPETENT TRUNCAL VEINS (EG, GREAT SAPHENOUS VEIN, ACCESSORY SAPHENOUS VEIN), SAME LEG

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

36468

INJECTION(S) OF SCLEROSANT FOR SPIDER VEINS (TELANGIECTASIA), LIMB OR TRUNK

HMK S-557

Spider Veins, Treatment

36470

INJECTION OF SCLEROSANT; SINGLE INCOMPETENT VEIN (OTHER THAN TELANGIECTASIA)

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

36471

INJECTION OF SCLEROSANT; MULTIPLE INCOMPETENT VEINS (OTHER THAN TELANGIECTASIA), SAME LEG

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

36473

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS, MECHANOCHEMICAL; FIRST VEIN TREATED

A-1025 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Mechanical Occlusion Chemical Ablation (MOCA)

36474

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS, MECHANOCHEMICAL; SUBSEQUENT VEIN(S) TREATED IN A SINGLE EXTREMITY, EACH THROUGH SEPARATE ACCESS SITES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)

A-1025 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Mechanical Occlusion Chemical Ablation (MOCA)

36475

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS RADIOFREQUENCY; FIRST VEIN TREATED

A-0174 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Radiofrequency

36476

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS, RADIOFREQUENCY; SUBSEQUENT VEIN(S) TREATED IN A SINGLE EXTREMITY, EACH THROUGH SEPARATE ACCESS SITES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)

A-0174 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Radiofrequency

36478

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS, LASER; FIRST VEIN TREATED

A-0425 (CG)

HMK S-556

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Laser, ligation or Laser Ablation, Incompetent Perforator Veins

36479

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS, LASER; SUBSEQUENT VEIN(S) TREATED IN A SINGLE EXTREMITY, EACH THROUGH SEPARATE ACCESS SITES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)

A-0425 (CG)

HMK S-556

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Laser, Ligation or Laser Ablation, Incompetent Perforator Veins

36482

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, BY TRANSCATHETER DELIVERY OF A CHEMICAL ADHESIVE (EG, CRYANOACRYLATE) REMOTE FROM THE ACCESS SITE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS; FIRST VEIN TREATED

A-1024 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Adhesive Injection

36483

ENDOVENOUS ABLATION THERAPY OF INCOMPETENT VEIN, EXTREMITY, BY TRANSCATHETER DELIVERY OF A CHEMICAL ADHESIVE (EG, CRYANOACRYLATE) REMOTE FROM THE ACCESS SITE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING, PERCUTANEOUS; SUBSEQUENT VEIN(S) TREATED IN A SINGLE EXTREMITY, EACH THROUGH SEPARATE ACCESS SITES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)

A-1024 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Adhesive Injection

37500

VASCULAR ENDOSCOPY, SURGICAL, WITH LIGATION OF PERFORATOR VEINS, SUBFASCIAL (SEPS)

HMK S-553

Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS)

37700

LIGATION AND DIVISION OF LONG SAPHENOUS VEIN AT SAPHENOFEMORAL JUNCTION, OR DISTAL INTERRUPTIONS

A-0171 (CG)

Sclerotherapy Plus Ligation, Saphenofemoral Junction

37718

LIGATION, DIVISION, AND STRIPPING, SHORT SAPHENOUS VEIN

A-0172 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Stripping 

37722

LIGATION, DIVISION, AND STRIPPING, LONG (GREATER) SAPHENOUS VEINS FROM SAPHENOFEMORAL JUNCTION TO KNEE OR BELOW

A-0172 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Stripping 

37765

STAB PHLEBECTOMY OF VARICOSE VEINS, 1 EXTREMITY; 10-20 STAB INCISIONS

A-0735 (CG)

Stab Phlebectomy

37766

STAB PHLEBECTOMY OF VARICOSE VEINS, ONE EXTREMITY; MORE THAN 20 INCISIONS

A-0735 (CG)

Stab Phlebectomy

37780

LIGATION AND DIVISION OF SHORT SAPHENOUS VEIN AT SAPHENOPOPLITEAL JUNCTION (SEPARATE PROCEDURE)

A-0171 (CG)

Sclerotherapy Plus Ligation, Saphenofemoral Junction

37785

LIGATION, DIVISION, AND/OR EXCISION OF VARICOSE VEIN CLUSTER(S), 1 LEG

HMK S 558

Ligation, Division, and/or Excision of Varicose Vein Cluster(s)

37799

UNLISTED PROCEDURE, VASCULAR SURGERY

HMK S-553, HMK S-554, HMK S-555, HMK S-556, HMK S-557

Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), Endovenoust, Cryoablation, Laser Treatment, Non-Invasive, Ligation or Laser Ablation, Incompetent Perforator Veins, Spider Veins, Treatment

76942

ULTRASONIC GUIDANCE FOR NEEDLE PLACEMENT (E.G., BIOPSY, ASPIRATION, INJECTION, LOCALIZATION DEVICE), IMAGING SUPERVISION AND INTERPRETATION

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

0524T

ENDOVENOUS CATHETER DIRECTED CHEMICAL ABLATION WITH BALLOON ISOLATION OF INCOMPETENT EXTREMITY VEIN, OPEN OR PERCUTANEOUS, INCLUDING ALL VASCULAR ACCESS, CATHETER MANIPULATION, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, IMAGING GUIDANCE AND MONITORING

A-1025 (CG)

Saphenous Vein Ablation, Mechanical Occlusion Chemical Ablation (MOCA)

J3490

UNCLASSIFIED DRUGS

HMK S-552

Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam)

S2202

ECHOSCLEROTHERAPY

HMK S-551

Echosclerotherapy

36465

36466

36468

36470

36471

36473

36474

36475

36476

36478

36479

36482

36483

37500

37700

37718

37722

37765

37766

37780

37785

37799

76942

0524T

J3490

S2202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Related Policies

Refer to Guideline A-0171, Sclerotherapy Plus Ligation, Saphenofemoral Junction, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-0172, Saphenous Vein Stripping, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-0174, Saphenous Vein Ablation, Radiofrequency, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-0425, Saphenous Vein Ablation, Laser, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-0735, Stab Phlebectomy, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-1024, Saphenous Vein Ablation, Adhesive Injection, for additional information.

Refer to Guideline A-1025, Saphenous Vein Ablation, Mechanical Occlusion Chemical Ablation (MOCA), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-551, Echosclerotherapy, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-552, Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Microfoam), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-553, Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-554, Endovenous Cryoablation, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-555, Laser Treatment, Non-Invasive, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-556, Ligation or Laser Ablation, Incompetent Perforator Veins, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-557, Spider Veins, Treatment, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-558, Ligation, Division, and/or Excision of Varicose Vein Cluster(s), for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy E-9, Non-Custom/Custom-Made Gradient Compression Garments/Stockings, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-100, Multiple Surgical Procedures, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-133, Endovascular/Endoluminal Stent Grafts, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-16, Assistant Surgery Eligibility Criteria, for additional information.

Refer to Medical Policy S-28, Cosmetic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Surgery, for additional information.

Refer to Provider Reimbursement Policy RP-014, Bilateral and Multiple Surgical Procedures, for additional information.


Professional Statements and Societal Positions Guidelines

American Vein and Lymphatic Society

In 2015, the AVLS(previously named the American College of Phlebology) published guidelines on the treatment of superficial vein disease.

AVLS gave a Grade 1 recommendation based on high quality evidence that compression is an effective method for the management of symptoms, but when patients have a correctable source of reflux, definitive treatment should be offered unless contraindicated. AVLS recommends against a requirement for compression therapy when a definitive treatment is available. AVLS gave a strong recommendation based on moderate quality evidence that endovenous thermal ablation is the preferred treatment for saphenous and accessory saphenous vein incompetence, and gave a weak recommendation based on moderate quality evidence that mechanochemical ablation may also be used to treat venous reflux.

In 2017, AVLS published guidelines on the treatment of refluxing accessory saphenous veins. The College gave a Grade 1 recommendation based on level C evidence that patients with symptomatic incompetence of the accessory saphenous veins be treated with endovenous thermal ablation or sclerotherapy to reduce symptomatology. The guidelines noted that although accessory saphenous veins may drain into the great saphenous vein before it drains into the common femoral vein, they can also empty directly into the common femoral vein.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

In 2013, the NICE updated its guidance on ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. NICE stated that:

"1.1 Current evidence on the efficacy of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins is adequate. The evidence on safety is adequate, and provided that patients are warned of the small but significant risks of foam embolization (see section 1.2), this procedure may be used with normal arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit.

1.2 During the consent process, clinicians should inform patients that there are reports of temporary chest tightness, dry cough, headaches and visual disturbance, and rare but significant complications including myocardial infarction, seizures, transient ischaemic attacks and stroke."

In 2015, NICE published a technology assessment on the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation, and surgery for varicose veins.

In 2016, NICE revised its guidance on endovenous mechanochemical ablation, concluding that "Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of endovenous mechanochemical ablation for varicose veins appears adequate to support the use of this procedure...."


 

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Place of Service: Inpatient/Outpatient

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

Surgical treatment of varicose veins 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



Links






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, and subject to the applicable laws of your state.


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. 

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.