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Section: Miscellaneous
Number: Z-24
Topic: Miscellaneous Services
Effective Date: August 8, 2011
Issued Date: September 12, 2011
Date Last Reviewed:

General Policy Guidelines

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

Charges submitted for the services listed on this medical policy should be denied as noted in the text below.

Experimental or Investigational 

Experimental/Investigational services are defined as a treatment, service, procedure, facility, equipment, drug, service or supply (“intervention”) that has been determined not to be medically effective for the condition being treated. Charges submitted for these services listed on this policy should be denied as experimental/investigational. These determinations are based on one or more of the following reasons:

  1. The intervention does not have FDA approval to be marketed for the specific relevant indication(s); or
  2. Available scientific evidence does not permit conclusions concerning the effect of the intervention on health outcomes; or
  3. The intervention is not proven to be as safe or effective in achieving an outcome equal to or exceeding the outcome of alternative therapies; or
  4. The intervention does not improve health outcomes; or
  5. The intervention is not proven to be applicable outside the research setting.

A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for the denied experimental/investigational item or service.

The following services are to be denied as experimental/investigational. This is not an all inclusive list.

  • Adoptive immunotherapy (S2107) DLR 09/2010

  • Bioimpedance spectroscopy for lymphedema (0239T) DLR 08/2010

  • Carbon monoxide, expired gas analysis (e.g., ETCO/hemolysis breath test) DLR 01/2011

  • Cellular function assay involving stimulation (e.g., mitogen or antigen) and detection of biomarker (e.g., ATP) (86352) (ImmunoKnow®)DLR 02/2011

  • Endoscopic cryospray ablation of the esophagus DLR 08/2011

  • Insertion of a temporary prostatic urethral stent including urethral measurement (53855) DLR 01/2010

  • Intraepidermal nerve fiber density testing (e.g., Therapath's ENFE) (89240) DLR 03/2011

  • Neuro-selective current perception threshold (CPT)/Sensory Nerve Conduction Test (sNCT) (G0255) DLR 09/2010

  • Nitric oxide expired gas determination (95012) DLR 09/2009

  • Ocular photoscreening (99174) DLR 01/2010

  • Outpatient intravenous insulin treatment (OIVIT) either pulsatile or continuous, by any means, guided by the results of measurements for: respiratory quotient; and/or urine urea nitrogen (UNN); and/or arterial, venous, or capillary glucose; and/or potassium concentrations (G9147) DLR 04/2010

  • pH; exhaled breath condensate (83987) DLR 02/2011

  • Posturography (dynamic or static) (92548) DLR 03/2010

  • Saliva test, hormone level; to assess preterm labor (S3652) DLR 04/2011

  • Saliva test, hormone level; during menopause (S3650) DLR 04/2011

  • Sperm evaluation, DNA integrity (e.g., sperm chromatin assays and sperm DNA fragmentation assays) DLR 07/2010

  • SuperDimension Bronchus System (31627) DLR 10/2010

  • Tenotomy of elbow, lateral or medial (e.g., epicondylitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow); percutaneous (24357) DLR 12/2009

  • Thromboxane metabolite(s) including thromboxane if performed, urine (84431) DLR 01/2010

  • Transluminal dilation of aqueous outflow canal; without retention of device or stent (66174) DLR 01/2011

  • Transurethral radiofrequency micro-remodeling of the female bladder neck and proximal urethra for stress urinary incontinence (53860) DLR 01/2011

Not Medically Necessary-NMN 

See Medical Policy Bulletin Z-11 for the definition of medical necessity. A participating, preferred or network provider cannot bill the member for the denied service unless the provider has given advance written notice, informing the member that the service may be deemed not medically necessary and providing an estimate of the cost. The member must agree in writing to assume financial responsibility, in advance of receiving the service. The signed agreement should be maintained in the providers records.

The following services are to be denied as not medically necessary. This is not an all inclusive list.

  • Body Composition Analyzers/Analysis (e.g., Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis)

  • Collagen crosslinks, any method (82523)

  • Defecography

  • Grenz Ray Therapy
  • Hair analysis (P0231)

  • Hamster egg and sperm penetration assay (89329, 89330)

  • Lixiscope Service

  • Optic nerve decomparession for non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (67570)

  • Rhinomanometry (92512)

  • Temperature gradient study (93740)

No Professional Service Rendered-NPSR 

The following services are to be denied because there is no direct patient care or contact.

NOTE: Denial of a service based on this reason is not applicable to facility expenses. Facility expenses should be processed according to the member's contractual benefits for the service.

  • Broken appointments

  • Glucola (glucose preparation)

  • Mileage for medical visit

  • Prolonged physician services without direct (face-to-face) contact (99358-99359)

  • Team conferences (99366-99368)

  • Telephone calls (98966-98968)(99441-99443)

Benefit Exclusion 

The following services are not covered under the member's benefit. This is not an all inclusive list. A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for the denied item or service.

  • ***Casted impressions for special shoes

  • EROS-Clitoral Therapy Device as a Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction (A9270)

  • ***Hearing aid evaluation (92590-92595, S0618, V5010)

  • ***Intersex surgery (55970, 55980)

  • Recreational or educational therapy (inpatient)

  • ***Work related injuries

***Under Managed Care programs, payment or denial for this item is based on the individual's contractual benefits.

NOTE: This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition, based on review of applicable medica

Procedure Codes

243573162753855538605597055980
661746757082523839878443184999
863528924089329893309251292548
925909259192592925939259492595
937409501298966989679896899174
993589935999366993679936899441
9944299443A9270G0255G9147P2031
S0618S2107S3650S3652V50100239T

Traditional Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

FEP Guidelines

This medical policy may not apply to FEP. Medical policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract. Benefits are determined by the Federal Employee Program.

PPO Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

Managed Care POS Guidelines

Refer to General Policy Guidelines

Publications

Provider News

04/2011, Immune cell function assay (Immunknow®) considered investigational

04/2011, Coverage guidelines changed for prolonged physician services without direct (face-to-face) patient contact

References

Adoptive immunotherapy 
   
Dudley ME, Yang JC, Sherry R et al. Adoptive cell therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma: evaluation of intensive myeloablative chemoradiation preparative regimens. J Clin Oncol.  2008; 26(32): 5233-9.

Johnson LA, Morgan RA, Dudley ME et al. Gene therapy with human and mouse T-cell receptors mediates cancer regression and targets normal tissues expressing cognate antigen. Blood.  2009 Jul 16;114(3): 535-46.

Rosenberg SA, Dudley ME. Adoptive cell therapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. Curr Opin Immunol. 2009 Apr; 21(2): 233-40.

Kimura H, Iizasa T et al. Prospective phase II study of post-surgical adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy using autologous dendritic cells and activated killer cells from tissue culture of tumor-draining lymph nodes in primary lung cancer patients. Anticancer Res.  2008 Mar-Apr;  28(2B): 1229-38.

Kondo H, Hazama S et al. Adoptive immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer using MUC1 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells and activated T lymphocytes. Anticancer Res.  2008 Jan-Feb; 28(1B): 379-87.

Bioimpedance Spectroscopy for Lymphedema

Ward L C, Czerniec S, Kilbreath S L. Quantitative bioimpedance spectroscopy for the assessment of lymphedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Oct;117(3):541-7.

York S L, Ward L C, Czerniec S, Lee M J, Refshauge K M, Kilbreath S L. Single frequency versus bioimpedance spectroscopy for the assessment of lymphedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Sep;117(1):177-82.

Hayes S, Janda M, Cornish B, Battistutta D, Newman B. Lymphedema secondary to breast cancer: how choice of measure influences diagnosis, prevalence and identifiable risk factors. Lymphology. 2008 Mar;41(1):18-28.

Ridner SH, Dietrich MS, Deng J. Bonner CM, Kidd N. Bioelectrical impedance for detecting upper limb lymphedema in nonlaboratory settings. Lymphat Res Biol. 2009;7(1):11-5.

Czerniec S A, Ward L C, Refshauge K M, Beith J, Lee M J, York S, Kilbreath S L. Assessment of breast cancer-related arm lymphedema – comparison of physical measurement methods and self-report. Cancer Invest. 2010 Jan;28(1):54-62.

Ward Leigh C, Ph.D, Czerniec Sharon, M.HI, Sci., Kilbreath Sharon L, Ph.D. Operational equivalence of bioimpedance indices and perometry for the assessment of unilateral arm lymphedema. Lymphat Res Biol. 2009;7(2):81-5.

Gergich NL Stout, PT, MPT, CLT-LANA,  Pfalzer LA, PT, MA, PhD, McGarvey C, PT DPT, MS, Springer B, PT, Phd, OCS, SCS, Gerber LH, MD, Soballe, MD. Preoperative assessment enables the early diagnosis and successful treatment of lymphedema. Interdisciplinary International Journal of the American Cancer Society. June 15, 2008;112(12).

Cellular Function Assay Involving Stimulation and Detection of Biomarker

Kobashigawa JA, Kiyosaki KK, Jignesh JK, et al. Benefit of immune monitoring in heart transplant patients using ATP production in activated lymphocytes. J Heart Lung Transpl. 2010.29(5):504-508.

Alkhouri N, Hanouneh IA, Lopez R, Zein NN. Monitoring Peripheral Blood CD4+ Adenosine Triphosphate Activity in Recurrent Hepatitis C and Its Correlation to Fibrosis Progression. Liver Transpl. 2010;16(2):155-162.

Israeli M, Ben-Gal T, Yaari V, Valdman A, et al. Individualized Immune Monitoring of Cardiac Transplant Recipients by Noninvasive Longitudinal Cellular Immunity Tests. Transplantation. 2010.27;89(8):968-796.

Cabrera R, Ararat M, Soldevila-Pico C, et al. Using an Immune Functional Assay To Differentiate Acute Cellular Rejection from Recurrent Hepatitis C in Liver Transplant Patients. Liver Transpl. 2009;15(2):216-222.

Batal I, Zeevi A, Heider A, et al. Measurements of Global Cell-Mediated immunity in Renal Transplant Recipients with BJ Virus Reactivation. Am J Clin Pathol. 2008;129:587-591.

Bhorade SM, Janata K, Vigneswaran WT, et. al. Cylex ImmuKnow Assay Levels Are Lower in Lung Transplant Recipients With Infection. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2008;27:990-994.

Reinsmoen NL, Cornett KM. Burnette AD, et al. Pretransplant Donor-Specific and Non-Specific Immune Parameters Associated with Early Acute Rejection. Transplantation. 2008;85(3):462-470.

Thai NL. Blisard D, Tom K, et al. Pancreas transplantation under alemtuzumab (Campath 1H) and tacrolimus: Correlation between low T-cell responses and infection. Transplantation. 2006;82(12):1649-1652.

Endoscopic Cryospray Ablation of Esophagus

Dumot, JA. An open-label, prospective trial of cryospray ablation for Barrett’s esophagus high-grade dysplasia and early esophageal cancer in high-risk patients. Gastro Endo. 2009 Oct;70(4):635-44.

Greenwald BD, Dumot JA, Abrams JA, et al. Endoscopic spray cryotherapy for esophageal cancer: safety and efficacy. Clinical Endoscopy. 2010;71(4):686-93.

Wani S, Sayana H, Sharma P. Endoscopic eradication of Barrett’s esophagus. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2010;71(1):147-66.

Halsey KD. Cryotherapy in the management of esophageal dysplasia and malignancy. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2010 Jan;20(1):75-87.

Greenwald BD. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of endoscopic low-pressure liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy in the esophagus. Dis Esophagus. 2010 Jan;23(1):13-9.

Shaheen NJ. Safety and efficacy of endoscopic spray cryotherapy for Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010 Apr;71(4):680-5.

Chennat J, Waxman I. Endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s esophagus: From metaplasia to intramucosal carcinoma. WJG. 2010 Aug;16(30):3780-3785.

Chen AM, Pasricha J. Cryotherapy for Barrett’s Esophagus: Who, How, and Why? Gastrointest Endoscopy Clin N Am. 2011 Jan;21(1):111-8.

Hudson M. Current state of endoscopic therapies in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Hosp Pract (Minneap). 2011 Feb;39(1):170-80.

Grenz Ray Therapy 

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IPG236 Grenz rays therapy for inflammatory skin conditions: Guidance. November 2007. Accessed March 17, 2010. Available at URL address: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=download&o=38416.

Menter A; Korman NJ; Elmets CA; et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol.2010; 62(1): 114-135.

Halverstam CP, Lebwohl M. Nonstandard and off-label therapies for psoriasis. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26(5):546-53.

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Grenz rays. Copyright © AOCD, 2010. Accessed March 23, 2010. Available at URL address: http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/grenz_rays.html.

Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density Testing

England JD. Evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy: the role of autonomic testing, nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy (an evidence-based review). Muscle Nerve. 2009 Jan;39(1):106-15.

Klein CM. Skin biopsy for peripheral neuropathy: Is it better to punch or to blister? Neurology. 2009 Apr:7(14):1200-1.

Tavee J. Small fiber neuropathy: A burning problem. Cleve Clin J Med. 2009 May;76(5):297-305.

Wöpking S. Significant difference between three observers in the assessment of intraepidermal nerve fiber density in skin biopsy. BMC Neurol. 2009;9:13.

Hays AP. Utility of skin biopsy to evaluate peripheral neuropathy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2010 Mar;10(2):101-7.

Lauria G. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density at the distal leg: a worldwide normative reference study. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2010 Sept;15(3):202-7.

Lauria G, Hsieh ST, Johansson O, et al. European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on the use of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy. Report of a joint task force of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the Peripheral Nerve Society. Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(7):903-12.

Løseth S, Mellgren SI, Jorde R, etal. Polyneuropathy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: comparison of nerve conduction studies, thermal perception thresholds and intraepidermal nerve fibre densities. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2010;26(2):100-6.

Nitric Oxide Expired Gas Determination

Smith AD, Cowan JO, Brassett KP et al. Use of Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements to Guide Treatment in Chronic Asthma. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2005; 352 (21): 2163-2173

Deykin A.  Targeting Biologic Markers in Asthma - Is Exhaled Nitric Oxide the Bull’s-Eye?  The New England Journal of Medicine. 2005; 352 (21): 2233-2235

Szefler SJ, Mitchell H, Sorkness CA, et al. Management of asthma based on exhaled nitric oxide in addition to guideline-based treatment for inner-city adolescents and young adults: A randomised controlled trial, The Lancet. 2008;372(9643):1065-1072.

Petsky HL, Cates CJ, Li A, et al; Tailored interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Apr 16; (2):CD006340.

Shaw DE, Berry MA, Thomas M, et al. The use of exhaled nitric oxide to guide asthma management: A randomized controlled trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007(3);176:231-237.

Sivan Y ; Gadish T ; Fireman E ; Soferman R, The use of exhaled nitric oxide in the diagnosis of asthma in school children, J Pediatr. 2009; 155(2):211-6.

National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Asthma Education and Prevention Program, Clinical Practice Guidelines. Expert Panel Report 3, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Aug 28, 2007. Accessed September 9, 2009. Available at URL address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm.

Neuro-Selective Current Perception Threshold (CPT) Sensory

Kang EK, Lim JY, Shin HI, et al. Comparison between nerve conduction studies and current perception threshold test in carpal tunnel syndrome. Neurophysiol Clin. 2008;38(2):127-31.

Nather A, Neo SH, Chionh SB, et al. Assessment of sensory neuropathy in diabetic patients without diabetic foot problems. J Diabetes Complications. 2008;22(2):126-31.

House R, Krajnak K, Manno M, et al. Current perception threshold and the HAVS Stockholm sensorineural scale. Occup Med. 2009;59(7):476-82.

Ziccardi VB, Hullett JS, Gomes J. Physical neurosensory testing versus current perception threshold assessment in trigeminal nerve injuries related to dental treatment: a retrospective study. Quintessence Int. 2009;40(7):603-9.

American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). Recommended policy for electrodiagnostic medicine. Endorsed by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Updated 2004. Available at:  http://www.aanem.org/PracticeIssues/RecPolicy/recommended_policy_1.cfm. Accessed August 2009.

Ocular Photoscreening

Kirk VG, Clausen MM, Armitage MD, Arnold RW, Preverbal photoscreening for amblyogenic factors and outcomes in amblyopia treatment: early objective screening and visual acuities.  Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Apr; 126(4):489-92

Outpatient Intravenous Insulin Treatment (OIVIT)

National Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Medical Policy 2.01.43, Chronic Intermittent Intravenous Insulin Therapy (CIIIT), 09/2009

American Diabetes Association.  Clinical Practice Recommendations 2010.  Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2010; 33(suppl 1).  Accessible at http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/32/Supplement_1.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.  Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus.  Endocr Pract 2007; 13(suppl 1):3-68.  Accessible at http://www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/DMGuidelines2007.pdf

Percutaneous Elbow Tenotomy

Housener JA, Jacobson JA, Misko R. Sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy for the treatment of chronic tendinosis.  J Ultrasound Med. 2009 Sep;28(9):1187-92.

McShane JM, Shah VN, Nazarian LN. Sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy for the treatment of common extensor tendinosis in the elbow: is a corticosteroid necessary? J Ultrasound Med. 2008 Aug;27(8):1137-44.

Radwan YA, Elsobhi G, Badawy WS, Reda A, Khalid S. Resistant tennis elbow: shock-wave therapy versus percutaneous tenotomy. Int Orthop. 2008 Oct;32(5):671-7.

pH, exhaled breath condensate

Caballero BS, Martorell AA, Cedrda Mir JC, Belda RJ, Navarro IR, et al. Leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate of children with episodic and persistent asthma.  J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2010;20(3):237-43.

Karakoc GB, Inal A, Yilmaz M, Altintas DU, Kendirli SG.  Exhaled breath condensate MMP-9 levels in children with bronchiectasis. Pediatr Pulmonol.2009  Oct;44(10):1010-6.

Patil SU, Long AA.  The usefulness of biomarkers of airway inflammation in managing asthma. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2010 Jul;31(4):259-68.

Zietkowski Z, Tomasiak-Lozowska M M, Skiepko R, Zietkowska E, Bodzenta-Lukaszyk A. Eotaxin-1 in exhaled breath condensate of stable and unstable asthma patients. Respir Res. 2010;11(1):110.

Posturography (dynamic or static)

Gabilan YP, Perracini MR, Munhoz MS, Gananc FF.  Aquatic physiotherapy for vestibular rehabilitation in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction:  exploratory prospective study.  J Vestib Res.  2008;18(2-3):139-46.

Brasseux R., Greve KW, Gianoli GJ, Soileau JS, Bianchini KJ.  The relationship between the modified somatic perception questionnaire and dynamic platform posturography.  Otol Neurotol. 2008 Apr;29(3):359-62.

Mallinson Al, Longridge NS, Morley RE.  Evaluation of the effects of ethanol on static and dynamic gait.  J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Dec;37(6):856-9.

Lewis NL, Brismee JM, James CR, Sizer PS, Sawyer SF.  The effect of stretching on muscle responses and postural sway responses during computerized dynamic posturography in women and men.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):454-62.

Vanicek, N, Strike S, McNaughton L, Polman R.  Postural responses to dynamic perturbations in amputee fallers versus nonfallers:  a comparative study with able-bodied subjects.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jun;90(6):1018-25.

Mishra A, Davis S, Speers R, Shepard NT.  Head shake computerized dynamic posturography in peripheral vestibular lesions.  AM J Audiol. 2009 Jun;18(1):53-9.

Rossi M, Soto A, Santos S, Sesar A, Labella T., A prospective study of alterations in balance among patients with Parkinson’s Disease.  Protocol of the postural evaluation.  Eur Neurol. 2009;61(3):171-6.

Sevilla-Garcia MA, Boleas-Aguirre MA, Perez-Fernandez N.  The limits of stability in patients with Meniere’s disease. Acta Otolaryngol.  2009 Mar;129(3):281-8.

Saliva Testing to assess preterm labor

Gotsch F, Romero R, Erez O, et al. The preterm paturition syndrome and its implications for understanding the biology, risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of preterm birth. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2009 May;22(S2):5-23.

Honest H, Forbes CA, Duree KH, et al. Screening to prevent spontaneous preterm birth: systematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modeling. Health Technol Assess. 2009;13(43).

Lachelin G, McGarrigle H, Seed P, Briley A, Shennan A, Poston L. Low saliva progesterone concentrations are associated with spontaneous early preterm labour (before 34 weeks of gestation) in women at increased risk of preterm delivery. BJOG. 2009;DOI:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02293.x

Saliva Testing during menopause

Flyckt R, Liu J, Frasure H, et al. Comparison of salivary versus serum testosterone levels in postmenopausal women receiving transdermal testosterone supplementation versus placebo. Menopause. 2009;16(4):680-688.

Weismiller D. Menopause. Prim Care. 2009 March;36(1).

Sperm evaluation, DNA integrity (e.g., sperm chromatin assays and sperm DNA fragmentation assays)

Zini A, Sigman M. Are tests of sperm DNA damage clinically useful? Pros and cons. Journal of Andrology. 2009;30(3):219-229.

Zini A, Boman JM, Belzile E, Ciampi A. Sperm DNA damage is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss after IVF and ICSI: systematic review and meta-analysis Hum Reprod. 2008;23(12):2663-2668.

Collins JA, Barnhart KT, Schlegel PN. Do sperm DNA integrity tests predict pregnancy with in vitro fertilization? Fertil Steril. 2008;89(4):823-831.

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). The clinical utility of sperm DNA integrity testing. Fertil Steril. 2008 Nov;90(5 Suppl):S178-S180.

American Urological Association, Inc. (AUA). The Optimal Evaluation of the Infertile Male. AUA Best Practice Statement. Published 2001. Revised 2010. Accessed July 7,2010. Available at URL address: http://www.auanet.org/guidelines/ 

SuperDimension Bronchus System

National Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Medical Policy 7.01.122, Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy, 02/2010.
               
Eberhardt R, Morgan RK, Ernst A, Beyer T, Herth FJ. Comparison of suction catheter versus forceps biopsy for sampling of solitary pulmonary nodules guided by electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy. Respiration. 2010;79(1):54-60.
               
Weiser TS, Hyman K, Yun J, et al. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy: A surgeon's perspective. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008;85:S797-S801.

Lamprecht B, Porsch P, Pirich C, Studnicka M. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy in combination with PET-CT and rapid on-site cytopathologic examination for diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. Lung. 2009;187(1):55-59.

Gould MK, Fletcher J, Iannettoni MD, et al.; American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). Evaluation of patients with pulmonary nodules: When is it lung cancer? ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Prctice Guidelines (2nd Edition). Chest. 2007;132(3 Suppl):108S-130S.

Rivera MP, Mehta AC; American College of Chest Physicians. Initial diagnosis of lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition). Chest. 2007 Sep;132(3 Suppl):131S-148S.

Transurethral Radiofrequency Micro-Remodeling of the Female Bladder Neck and Proximal Urethra for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Appell RA. Nonsurgical, radiofrequency collagen denaturation for stress urinary incontinence: retrospective 3-year evaluation. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2007 Jul; 4(4): 455-61

Appell R. Transurethral Collagen Denaturation for Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence. Current Urology Reports. 2008 Sept; 9 (5): 373-379

National Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Medical Policy 2.01.60, Transvaginal and Transurethral Radiofrequency Tissue Remodeling for Urinary Stress Incontinence, 12/ 2008

Elser DM, Mitchell GK, Miklos JR, Nickell KG, Cline K, Winkler H, Wells WG. Nonsurgical Transurethral Collagen Denaturation for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women: 12-Month Results from a Prospective Long-term Study. The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2009 Jan; 16 (1): 56-62

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Procedure Code Attachments

Diagnosis Codes

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 Highmark West Virginia 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.

Highmark West Virginia retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of Highmark West Virginia. 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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