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Section: Durable Medical Equipment
Number: E-20
Topic: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Device
Effective Date: April 3, 2006
Issued Date: April 3, 2006
Date Last Reviewed: 03/2006

General Policy Guidelines

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

Used in the treatment of OSA, CPAP is covered as durable medical equipment when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  1. Sleep Study Results:
    1. Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) equal to or greater than 5 (also called the Respiratory Disturbance Index or RDI)

  2. Results of CPAP Trial (at optimum CPAP pressure):
    1. Apnea-Hypopnea Index less than 5, or for patients with AHI greater than 20, reduction in AHI is greater than 75%
    2. No oxygen desaturation less than 85%
    3. Abolition of arrhythmia(s)(e.g., Type II second degree heart block or pause greater than 3 seconds or ventricular tachycardia at a rate greater than 140/minute lasting greater than 15 complexes)

The claim must also certify that the documentation supporting a diagnosis of OSA is available.

The use of CPAP in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with OSA who do not meet the above criteria will be given individual consideration.  Refer all claims for medical review.

NOTE:
CPAP for a diagnosis of CHF alone is considered investigational. A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for this denied service. 

Heated (E0562) and non-heated humidification (E0561) is eligible for use with CPAP when prescribed by the treating physician to meet the needs of the individual patient.

The BiPap Airway Management System (codes E0470 and E0471) differs from the CPAP device in that it has the ability to alter pressures on expiration, which a nasal CPAP cannot do. See Medical Policy Bulletin E-34, Respiratory Assist Devices, for information on BiPAP.

Coverage for durable medical equipment is determined according to individual or group customer benefits.

NOTE:
Total payments for a rental item may not exceed its allowable purchase price, except for those items identified as life sustaining DME. For information on continuous rental of life sustaining DME, see Medical Policy Bulletin E-38, Continuous Rental of Life Sustaining Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
NOTE:
The BiPap/ST Ventilatory Support System (code E0472) should not be confused with the BiPap Airway Management System (codes E0470 and E0471). The guidelines in this policy are not applicable to code E0472. See Medical Policy Bulletin E-1, Screening List for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), for guidelines on code E0472.

Description

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a non-invasive technique for providing low levels of air pressure from a flow generator through a nasal mask. The purpose of CPAP is to prevent the collapse of the oropharyngeal walls and the obstruction of airflow during sleep, which occurs in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Acclimation efforts are expected for a minimum of two months, and must be supported by proper documentation and compliance chip information before CPAP will be considered failed.  Adequate adherence to CPAP is defined as > 4.5 hours of CPAP use per night on a routine basis.  Maximal improvement in neurocognitive symptoms can require as long as 2 months of CPAP treatment.  A newly diagnosed member with OSA must be given a CPAP machine with a compliance chip.  New purchases or replacements of CPAP machines for members with an existing diagnosis of OSA do not need a compliance chip. 

Procedure Codes

A4604A7030A7031A7032A7033A7034
A7035A7036A7037A7038A7039A7044
E0470E0471E0472E0561E0562E0601
S8186     

Traditional Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

FEP Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

PPO Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

Managed Care POS Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

Publications

PRN References

02/2001, Guidelines clarified for specific Durable Medical Equipment
02/2002, CPAP device coverage guidelines change

References

MCIM 60-9, 60-17

View Previous Versions

[Version 002 of E-20]
[Version 001 of E-20]

Table Attachment

Text Attachment

Procedure Code Attachment


Glossary





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 circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.

Medical policies are designed to supplement the terms of a member's contract. The member's contract defines the benefits available; therefore, medical policies should not be construed as overriding specific contract language. In the event of conflict, the contract shall govern.

Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor the practice of medicine. Rather, such policies are intended only to establish general guidelines for coverage and reimbursement under Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Application of a medical policy to determine coverage in an individual instance is not intended and shall not be construed to supercede the professional judgment of a treating provider. In all situations, the treating provider must use his/her professional judgment to provide care he/she believes to be in the best interest of the patient, and the provider and patient remain responsible for all treatment decisions.

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (MSBCBS) retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of MSBCBS. Any sale, copying or dissemination of the medical policies is prohibited; however, limited copying of medical policies is permitted for individual use.



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