November 2022 medical policy updates
The following policy changes were approved by our Medical Advisory Committee and are effective November 2022:
Autism Spectrum Disorders - 91615
Added an exclusion for Artificial intelligence (AI) devices, prescription digital diagnostics or mobile medical applications (MMA) for the diagnosis of ASD (e.g., Canvas Dx, Cognoa)
Biofeedback - 91002
Added prescription digital therapeutic devices (e.g., Freespira) as experimental, investigational, or unproven
Continuous Glucose Monitoring - 91466
Clarified prior authorization requirements by line of business – no change to criteria
Gender Affirming Surgery - 91612
- Removed criteria that the procedure be recommended by two qualified professionals
- Removed requirement that procedure be completed by surgeon with training and active practice in gender-affirming surgical procedures
- Added criteria for gonadectomy for documentation of permanence resultant proposed GAS
- Added note regarding reproductive services, referencing other Priority Heath medical policies
- Noted that reversal of gender affirming surgery isn’t a covered benefit
- Updated policy title from “Gender Reassignment Surgery”
- Updated terminology throughout to reflect the latest conventions in the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
- Reduced documentation of continuous hormonal therapy for gender incongruence from 12 months to 6 months
- Clarified qualifying diagnosis of gender incongruence
- Removed exclusions for facial reconstruction, trachea shave and reduction thyroid chondroplasty
Gender Dysphoria and/or Incongruence, Non-Surgical Treatment - 91622
- Updated terminology throughout to reflect the latest conventions in the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
- Changed criteria for hormone therapy requiring at least 3 months of mental health therapy
- Clarified evidence needed to demonstrate gender diversity / incongruence has been sustained over time
- Removed voice therapy exclusion
Genetics: Counseling, Testing and Screening - 91540
- Replaced “covered” with “medically necessary” where appropriate
- Formatting changes
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy - 91633
Removed criteria: "D4. Radiation oncologist review of dose-volume histograms for all targets and critical structures." Change made because completing a histogram required simulation that’s not typically completed until after plan approval is provided.
Markers for Digestive Disorders - 91583
- Replaced “covered” with “medically necessary” where appropriate
- Formatting changes
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation - 91634
Added criteria from existing “Stimulation Therapy and Devices” policy (91648) on TENS, PENS and permanently implanted peripheral nerve stimulation and devices, and added specific examples of those devices.
Rehabilitative, Habilitative Medicine Services - 91318
Clarified policy to include exclusionary criteria for osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) used in the following, as it’s considered experimental and investigational or not medically necessary:
- Craniosacral therapy
- Non-somatic internal organ disorders
- Non-musculoskeletal disorders
- Scoliosis
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Prevention of the indications above
- Condition has returned to pre-symptom state
- Little or no improvement is demonstrated within 30 days of the initial visit despite modification of the treatment plan
Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplantation - 91066
Stem Cell Transplant for Neuroblastoma: Updated neuroblastoma risk strata to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Neuroblastoma Risk Classifier Version 2
Stimulation Therapy and Devices - 91468
Deleted the sections on TENS, PENS, PNT and Peripherally Implanted Nerve Stimulators, which have moved to new Priority Health medical policy, Peripheral Nerve Stimulators (91634).
Telemedicine / Virtual Services - 91604
Behavioral health telemedicine services completed through asynchronous technologies are generally not payable
Thermography - 91355
Clarified that Siren Socks is considered experimental and investigational