Provider Quick Alert

June 1, 2018
Review all  Medical Coverage Policies at QualChoice.com.
New and Amended Medical Policies

Medical Policy Number
Medical Policy Name Effective Date of Change Description of Changes
BI024 Medical Necessity Determination 05/01/18
Clarified that pre-authorization/medical necessity determination requests must come from prescribing providers rather than vendors.
BI156 ADHD
05/01/18
Removed Strattera (atomoxetine) from PA required.
BI171 Rituxan 05/01/18
Added Rituxan Hycela to coverage policy.
Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Inhibitor Therapy 05/01/18 Updated code J0256 to include Aralast.
BI301 Liver Lesion Treatments 05/01/18 Reviewed with BI298 - Consolidated duplicative policy for ablation of hepatic lesions (BI298).
BI302 Natroba 05/01/18 Retired policy.
BI453 Corticosteroid Beta Agonist Combo Products 05/01/18 Updated first-line therapy listing by removing Foradil and adding Incruse Ellipta.
BI562 Besponsa 05/01/18 Included new code C9028 for Besponsa.
Coming Amendments

Medical Policy Number
Medical Policy Name Effective Date of Change Description of Changes
BI359
Erwinaze
07/01/18
Added code J9019 (Injection, asparaginase, 1,000 IU) to policy.
BI391
Factor Products
07/01/18 Added code J7192 and Hemlibra (no code currently) to policy.
BI419
SGLT-2 Inhibitors
07/01/18
Updated policy to specifically list covered products, including combination products.
BI420
DPP4 Inhibitors
07/01/18 Updated policy to list specific, covered combination products in addition to single-entity products.
BI506
Nucala
07/01/18
Added that Nucala is also considered medically necessary for members > 18 years of age with a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome).
BI581
Pharmacogenetic Testing
07/01/18 Pharmacogenetics testing requires pre-authorization and is the study of variability in drug response due to genetic factors. Many pharmacogenetic tests are considered experimental and investigational because their clinical utility has not been proven.
BI215
Sprycel
08/01/18
Clarified requirement that treatment of GIST requires trial of all three (3) products listed.
BI464
Urinary Antispasmodics
08/01/18 Updated criteria to reflect trial of two (2) generics before brand products are approved.
BI479
Lynparza
08/01/18
Updated to include invasive breast cancer diagnosis.
BI516
Buprenorphine - Naloxone
08/01/18 Removed PA requirement for buprenorphine/naloxone SL tablets. Updated PA criteria for Bunavail.
BI537
Rubraca
08/01/18
Updated criteria to include newly approved diagnosis for partial or complete response after platinum-based therapy.
For urgent questions about QualChoice Medical Coverage Policies, please fax a completed Predetermination Request Form for each patient to 844.501.2830.
1805 MK 014