This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Cryoablation of Prostate Cancer

Cryoablation of Prostate Cancer

 

DESCRIPTION

Cryoablation is one of several methods available to treat clinically localized prostate cancer, and may be considered an alternative to radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. It also may be used for salvage of non-metastatic relapse following initial therapy for clinically localized disease. Using percutaneously inserted cryoprobes, the glandular tissue is rapidly frozen and thawed such that tissue necrosis follows. Hypothesized advantages of cryosurgical ablation include that the procedure may be less invasive than surgery and recovery time may be shorter. While external-beam radiation therapy requires multiple treatments, typically only one (1) treatment is required for cryoablation.

Subtotal prostate cryoablation is also being evaluated as a form of more localized therapy (referred to by some as “male lumpectomy”) for small localized prostate cancers. 

 

POLICY

Cryoablation of the prostate may be considered medically necessary as treatment of clinically localized (organ-confined) prostate cancer when performed
  • As initial treatment or
  • As salvage treatment of disease that recurs following radiation therapy.

Subtotal prostate cryoablation is considered investigational in the treatment of prostate cancer. 

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

Investigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Members specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

8/1999: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

9/21/2001: Policy exception deleted - For Federal Employee Program (FEP) subscribers only, cryosurgery is considered medically necessary only as a primary treatment for localized prostate cancer (cryosurgical ablation of the prostate). It is considered investigational as a treatment of last resort for prostate cancer, salvage therapy, local failures after radical prostatectomy, external beam irradiation and brachytherapy (Reference Document # 99-54IHR). - Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy # 7.01.79 considers investigational effective 08/15/01

10/11/2001: Policy exception added

2/8/2002: Investigational definition added

4/18/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

5/2002: Reviewed by MPAC; investigational status changed to medically necessary, Sources updated

9/20/2002: Code Reference section updated

9/5/2003: ICD-9 198.82 added, HCPCS G0160 deleted

1/30/2007: Policy reviewed, returned to investigational status to align with BCBSA policy. Covered codes moved to non-covered. ICD-9 codes 185, 198.82, and 233.4 removed. FEP policy exceptions deleted.

5/16/2007: Policy reviewed, no changes. Policy name changed to "Cryoablation of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer." Formerly named "Cryosurgery for Prostatic Carcinoma"

6/5/2009: Policy statement section updated to include medically necessary indications for localized (organ-confined) prostate cancer as initial treatment and salvage treatment. Coding section updated: CPT code 55873 moved from non-covered to covered, ICD-9 procedure code 60.62 moved from non-covered to covered. ICD-9 diagnosis codes 185, 198.82, 233.4, V10.46 added to policy. 

3/15/2010: Code Reference section updated. Description for CPT code 55873 revised 1-1-2010.

07/29/2011: Deleted "Clinically Localized" from the policy title to align with scope of policy statement. Deleted outdated references from the Sources section.

07/13/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

 

SOURCE(S)

Hayes Medical Technology Directory

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of codes. Some covered procedure codes have multiple descriptions.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document.  

Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

55873

Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate (includes ultrasonic guidance and monitoring)( moved to covered 6-5-2009)(description revised 1-1-2010)

ICD-9 Procedure

60.62

Perineal prostatectomy (moved to covered 6-5-2009)

ICD-9 Diagnosis

185

Malignant neoplasm of prostate 

198.82Secondary malignant neoplasm of prostate 
233.4Carcinoma in situ of the prostate 
V10.46Personal history of malignant neoplasm, prostate 

HCPCS

 

 

 

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