Easy Choice Health Plan, Inc. Harmony Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. M issouri Care, Inc. Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. WellCare Health Insurance of Illinois, Inc. WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey, Inc. WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. WellCare of Florida, Inc. WellCare of Connecticut, Inc. WellCare of Georgia, Inc. WellCare of Kentucky, Inc. WellCare of Louisiana, Inc. WellCare of New York, Inc. WellCare of Ohio, Inc. WellCare of South Carolina, Inc. WellCare of Texas, Inc. WellCare Prescription Insurance, Inc. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Policy Number: Original Effective Date: 7/17/2008 Revised Date(s): 8/13/2009; 8/20/2010; 8/2/2011; 8/2/2012 DISCLAIMER The Clinical Coverage Guideline is intended to supplement certain standard WellCare benefit plans. The terms of a member s particular Benef it Plan, Ev idence of Cov erage, Certificate of Coverage, etc., may differ significantly from this Coverage Position. For example, a member s benefit plan may contain specif ic exclusions related to the topic addressed in this Clinical Coverage Guideline. When a conflict exists between the two documents, the Member s Benefit Plan always supersedes the inf ormation contained in the Clinical Coverage Guideline. Additionally, Clinical Coverage Guidelines relate exclusively t o the administration of health benefit plans and are NOT recommendations for treatment, nor should they be used as treatment guidelines. The application of the Clinical C overage Guideline is subject to the benef it determinations set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National and Local Coverage Determinations and state-specific Medicaid mandates, if any. Note: The lines of business (LOB) are subject to change without notice; consult www.wellcare.com/providers/ccgs for list of c urrent LOBs. APPLICATION STATEMENT The application of the Clinical Coverage Guideline is subject to the benefit determinations set f orth by the Centers f or Medicare and Medicaid Serv ices (CMS) National and Local Cov erage Determinations and state-specif ic Medicaid mandates, if any.
BACKGROUND Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy is a medical treatment in which the patient is entirely enclosed in a pressure chamber breathing 100% oxygen (O 2 ) at a pressure greater than one atmosphere (atm). Either a mono-place chamber pressurized with pure O 2 or a larger multi-place chamber pressurized with compressed air where the patient receives pure O 2 by mask, head tent, or endotracheal tube may be used. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber (whether single or multiple chamber [i.e., created to hold several people]) is a device intended to increase the environmental oxygen pressure to promote the movement of oxygen from the environment to a patient s tissues by means of pressurization that is greater than atmospheric pressure. Complications from this therapy can be minimized if pressures within the chamber remain below three times the normal atmospheric pressure and sessions last no longer than two hours. The safety and efficacy of HBO therapy has been demonstrated for numerous conditions in evidence-based, peerreviewed journals, consensus guidelines and numerous textbooks. HBO therapy is the standard of care in the primary treatment of acute carbon monoxide poisoning, arterial gas embolism, and decompression sickness. Through the forced exchange of oxygen at the plasma levels, tissue function can be sustained. Wagner Scale Grade 0: No ulcer in a high risk foot. Grade 1: Superficial ulcer involving the full skin thickness but not underlying tissues. Grade 2: Deep ulcer, penetrating down to ligaments and muscle, but no bone involvement or abscess formation. Grade 3: Deep ulcer with cellulitis or abscess formation, often with osteomyelitis. Grade 4: Localized gangrene. Grade 5: Extensive gangrene involving the whole foot. POSITION STATEMENT Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is considered medically necessary for the following indications: Acute carbon monoxide intoxication Decompression illness Gas embolism Gas gangrene Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia. HBO therapy is a valuable adjunctive treatment to be used in combination with accepted standard therapeutic measures when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs. As in indication #5, HBO therapy would be an adjunctive treatment when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened Necrotizing infections (necrotizing fasciitis) Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts (not for primary management of wounds) Refractory osteomyelitis, unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical management Osteoradionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment Soft tissue radionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment Cyanide poisoning Actinomycosis, only as an adjunct to conventional therapy when the disease process is refractory to antifungal medication and surgical treatment Diabetic with wounds of the lower extremities in patients who meet the following criteria: Clinical Coverage Guideline page 2
o Patient has a wound classified as Wagner grade III or higher (see scale below); and o Patient has failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy. The use of HBO therapy is covered as adjunctive therapy only after there are no measurable signs of healing for at least 30 days of treatment with standard wound therapy and must be used in addition to standard wound care. Standard wound care in patients with diabetic wounds includes: assessment of a patient s vascular status and correction of any vascular problems in the affected limb if possible, optimization of nutritional status, optimization of glucose control, debridement by any means to remove devitalized tissue, maintenance of a clean, moist bed of granulation tissue with appropriate moist dressings, appropriate off-loading, and necessary treatment to resolve any infection that might be present. Failure to respond to standard wound care occurs when there are no measurable signs of healing for at least 30 consecutive days. Wounds must be evaluated at least every 30 days during administration of HBO therapy. Continued treatment with HBO therapy is not covered if measurable signs of healing have not been demonstrated within any 30-day period of treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered experimental and investigational and NOT a covered benefit for the following indications: Cutaneous, decubitus, and stasis ulcers Chronic peripheral vascular insufficiency Anaerobic septicemia and infection other than clostridial Skin burns (thermal) Senility Myocardial infarction Cardiogenic shock Sickle cell anemia Acute thermal and chemical pulmonary damage, i.e., smoke inhalation with pulmonary insufficiency Acute or chronic cerebral vascular insufficiency Hepatic necrosis Aerobic septicemia Nonvascular causes of chronic brain syndrome (Pick s disease, Alzheimer s disease, Korsakoff s disease) Tetanus Systemic aerobic infection Organ transplantation Organ storage Pulmonary emphysema Exceptional blood loss anemia Multiple Sclerosis Arthritic diseases Acute cerebral edema Autism CODING Covered CPT Codes 99183 Physician attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, per session Clinical Coverage Guideline page 3
Covered ICD-9 Procedure Codes 93.59 Hyperbaric Oxygenation of Wound 93.95 Hyperbaric Oxygenation Covered HCPCS Level II Code C1300 Hyperbaric oxygen under pressure, full body chamber, per 30 minute interval Non Covered HCPCS Level II Code A4575 Topical hyperbaric oxygen chamber, disposable Covered ICD-9 Diagnosis Codes 039.0-039.9 Actinomycotic infections (See specific indication above.) 040.0 Gas gangrene [Clostridial myositis and myonecrosis] 250.70-250.71 Diabetes with peripheral circulatory disorders [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 250.80-250.81 Diabetes with other specified manifestations [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 440.20-440.9 Atherosclerosis of native arteries and bypass graft of extremities [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 443.0-443.1 Other peripheral vascular disease [acute peripheral arterial insufficiency] 443.81-443.9 Other specified peripheral vascular diseases [acute peripheral arterial insufficiency] 444.21-444.22 Arterial embolism of the extremities [acute peripheral arterial insufficiency] 444.81 Arterial embolism and thrombosis of the iliac artery [acute peripheral arterial insufficiency] 454.0 Varicose veins of lower extremities with ulcer [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 454.2 Varicose veins of lower extremities with ulcer and inflammation [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 526.4 Inflammatory conditions of the jaws [radiation necrosis of jaw] 526.89 Other specified diseases of jaw [prophylactic pre- and post-treatment for members undergoing dental surgery of a radiated jaw] [osteoradionecrosis] 728.86 Necrotizing fasciitis 730.10-730.19 Chronic osteomyelitis [unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical management] 885.0-887.7 Traumatic amputation thumb, finger(s), arm and hand [when loss of function or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] Clinical Coverage Guideline page 4
895.0-897.7 Traumatic amputation toe(s), foot, leg(s) [when loss of function or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 902.53 Injury to the iliac artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 903.01 Injury to axillary artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 903.4 Injury to palmar artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 903.8 Injury to other specified blood vessels of upper extremity [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.0 Injury to common femoral artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.1 Injury to superficial femoral artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.41 Injury to popliteal artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.51 Injury to anterior tibial artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.53 Injury to posterior tibial artery [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is Threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 904.7 Injury to other specified blood vessels of lower extremity [acute peripheral ischemia when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 925.1-929.9 Crush injuries [when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened and HBOT is used in combination with standard therapy] 951.5 Injury to acoustic nerve [acoustic trauma when HBOT is initiated within 3 months after onset] 958.0 Air embolism [acute] 958.90-959.99 Compartment syndrome 986 Toxic effect of carbon monoxide [acute] 987.7 Toxic effect of hydrocyanic acid gas [with co-existing carbon monoxide poisoning] 989.0 Toxic effect of hydrocyanic acid and cyanides [with co-existing carbon monoxide poisoning] 990 Effects of radiation, unspecified [radiation necrosis (osteoradionecrosis, myoradionecrosis, brain radionecrosis, and other soft tissue radiation necrosis) or proctitis] [not covered for radiation induced cystitis, myelitis, enteritis, or optic nerve injury] 993.3 Caisson disease [decompression illness] 996.52 Mechanical complications due to graft of other tissue, not elsewhere classified [compromised skin grafts and flaps] 996.55 Mechanical complications due to artificial skin graft and decellularized allodermis [compromised skin grafts and flaps] 996.69 Infection and inflammatory reaction due to other internal prosthetic device, implant, and graft [compromised skin grafts and flaps] 996.79 Other complications due to other internal prosthetic device, implant, and graft [compromised skin grafts and flaps] 998.59 Other postoperative infection [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] 998.83 Non-healing surgical wound [non-healing infected deep ulcerations (reaching tendons or bone) of the lower extremity unresponsive to at least 1 month of meticulous wound care, including aggressive debridement, maximal antibiotic therapy, tight glycemic control, and appropriate treatment of arterial insufficiency, including revascularization if necessary] Clinical Coverage Guideline page 5
ICD-10-CM Covered Diagnosis Codes Note: Additional 4 th,5 th,6 th & 7 th digits may be required based on physician documentation in the medical record. A48.0 Gas gangrene E11.51 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with circulatory complications E11.52 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with circulatory complications E11.59 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with circulatory complications E08.621 Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with foot ulcer *Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.4 L97.5) E08.622 Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with other skin ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.101 - L97.329, L97.801 - L97.929, L98.411 - L98.499) E09.621 Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.4 L97.5) E09.622 Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.101 - L97.329, L97.801 - L97.929, L98.411 - L98.499) E10.621 Type 1 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.4 L97.5) E10.622 Type 1 diabetes mellitus with skin ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.101 - L97.329, L97.801 - L97.929, L98.411 L98.499) E13.621 Other specified diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.4 L97.5) E13.622 Other specified diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.101 - L97.329, L97.801 - L97.929, L98.411 L98.499) E11.51 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy without gangrene E11.52 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy with gangrene E11.59 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other circulatory complications E11.621 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer on the foot (L97.401 - L97.529) E11.622 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer * Use additional code to identify site of ulcer (L97.101 - L97.329, L97.801 - L97.929, L98.411 - L98.499) I70.231 I70.269 Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities; with ulceration; with gangrene I73.00 I73.9 Other peripheral vascular diseases I74.2 Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the upper extremities 174.3 Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities I74.5 Embolism and thrombosis of iliac artery I77.2 Rupture of artery; erosion, fistula, ulcer I79.8 Other disorders of arteries, arterioles and capillaries in diseases classified elsewhere (Code first the underlying disease) I83.00 I83.93 Varicose veins of lower extremities I87.2 Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral) K68.11 Post procedural retroperitoneal abscess L08.0 - L08.9 Other local infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue L89.000 - L89.95 Pressure Ulcers L97.101- L98.499 Non-pressure Ulcers M27.2 Inflammatory conditions of jaws M27.8 Other specified diseases of jaws M72.6 Necrotizing fasciitis (Use additional code (B95 B96) to identify causative organism M86.60 M86.69 Other chronic osteomyelitis M86.8x0 M86.8x9 Other osteomyelitis S04.60 S04.62 Injury of acoustic nerve S47.1 S47.9 Crushing injury of shoulder and upper arm S77.0 S77.22 Crushing Injury of hip and thigh Clinical Coverage Guideline page 6
S87.00 S87.82 Crushing injury of lower leg S97.00 S97.82 Crushing injury of ankle and foot (ankle toe, foot) S35.511 S35.516 Injury of unspecified iliac artery, S45.001 S45.009 Injury of axillary artery S45.101 S45.109 Injury of brachial artery S45.201 S45.209 Injury of axillary or brachial vein S45.301 S45.309 Injury of superficial vein at shoulder and upper arm level S45.801 S45.809 Injury of other blood vessels at shoulder and upper arm level S55.001 S55.009 Injury of ulnar artery at forearm level S55.101 S55 109 Injury of radial artery at forearm level S55.201 S55.209 Injury of vein at forearm level S65.001 S65.009 Injury of ulnar artery at wrist and hand level S65.101 S65.109 Injury of radial artery at wrist and hand level S65.201 S65.209 Injury of superficial palmar arch S65.801 - S65.809 Injury of other blood vessels at wrist and hand level S68.011 S68.729 Traumatic amputation of wrist, hand and fingers S75.001 S75.009 Injury of femoral artery S75.801 S75.809 Injury of other blood vessels at hip and thigh level S85.001 S85.009 Injury of popliteal artery S85.101 S85.109 Injury of tibial artery S85.131 S84.139 Injury of anterior tibial artery S85.161 S85.169 Injury of posterior tibial artery S95.001 S95.009 Injury of dorsal artery of foot S95.101 S95.109 Injury of plantar artery of foot S98.011 S87.229 Traumatic amputation of foot and toes S98.311 S98.929 Traumatic amputation of midfoot and foot T57.3X1A - T57.3X4A Toxic effect of hydrogen cyanide T58.01XA T 58.94XA Toxic effect of carbon monoxide T65.0X1A T65.0X4A Toxic effect of cyanides T66.XXXA Radiation sickness, unspecified T70.3XXA Effects of air pressure and water pressure T79.0XXA Air embolism (traumatic) T79.A11 T79.9 Traumatic compartment syndrome T81.4XXA Infection following a procedure, initial encounter T81.89XA Other complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, initial encounter T85.693A Other mechanical complication of artificial skin graft and decellularized allodermis, initial encounter T85.79XA Infection and inflammatory reaction due to other internal prosthetic devices, implants and grafts T85.81XA T85.89XA Other specified complications of internal prosthetic devices, implants and grafts, NEC T86.820 T86.821 Complications of skin graft (allograft) (autograft); rejection; failure *Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2012 American Medical Association: Chicago, IL. REFERENCES Peer Reviewed 1. Hayes Directory. (2010, May 5). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for soft tissue radiation injuries [updated on March 28, 2012]. Retrieved from http://www.hayesinc.com 2. Hayes Directory. (2008, December 22). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning [updated on January 26, 2012]. Retrieved from http://www.hayesinc.com 3. Hayes Directory. (2009, July 16). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for autism [updated on June 29, 2012]. Retrieved Clinical Coverage Guideline page 7
from http://www.hayesinc.com Government Agencies, Professional and Medical Organizations 1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2006, June 19). National coverage determination for hyperbaric oxygen Therapy (20.29). Retrieved from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/search.asp 2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2006, April 11). First Coast Service Options, Inc.: local coverage determination for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO Therapy) (L13159). Retrieved from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/search.asp Other 1. UnitedHealthcare Technology Assessment. 92004, February 19). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. HISTORY AND REVISIONS Date Action 8/2/2012 Approved by MPC. No changes. 12/1/2011 New template design approved by MPC. 8/2/2011 Approved by MPC. No changes. Clinical Coverage Guideline page 8