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 External Infusion Pumps

External Infusion Pumps

 

DESCRIPTION

An external infusion pump (EIP) is a portable device intended to provide continuous ambulatory drug infusion therapy over an extended time period. The EIP is also known as an external pump, ambulatory pump, or a mini-infuser. The EIP is usually the size of a portable cassette player and can be worn on a belt around the patient's waist or from a shoulder harness. They are battery-driven devices.

Proposed drug delivery routes using the EIP include the intravenous, intra-arterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epidural, intrathecal, and intraventricular routes. A heparinized saline solution may be used during an interruption of drug therapy to maintain catheter patency. The EIP is battery-powered and drug reservoir refilling is non-invasive. A catheter from the pump is attached to the desired access route for drug delivery.

OmniPod® is an external insulin pump sold by Insulet Corporation. This device has two separate components, a disposable "Pod" affixed to the skin that acts as the insulin pump and reservoir and a hand-held control unit referred to as a Personal Diabetes Manager or "PDM". The PDM also incorporates a FreeStyle blood glucose monitor (not continuous).

 

POLICY

Use of the external infusion pump (EIP) for the administration of the following drugs is considered medically necessary for selected patients on:
  • morphine and other parenteral analgesics for treatment of severe, chronic cancer pain that is resistant to conventional therapy. Acceptable routes are subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV);
  • insulin for treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in patients who cannot be controlled by intermittent dosing. Acceptable routes are SC and IV;
  • heparin for treatment of severe thromboembolic disease that cannot be managed conventionally (e.g., complicated pregnancy). Acceptable routes are SC and IV;
  • chemotherapeutics for treatment of cancer. Acceptable routes are stipulated in the drug labeling and might include either IV or intra-arterial (IA).

The OmniPod® external insulin pump includes a FreeStyle blood glucose monitor. Therefore, a separate glucometer is not elgible for coverage with the use of this system.

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

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

 

POLICY HISTORY

9/1992: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

11/1997: Review and update approved by MPAC

2/27/2002: Managed Care Requirements deleted

4/26/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

5/28/2002: Code Reference section updated

11/5/2003: Code Reference section updated, HCPCS A4230-A4232 listed separately

9/24/2004: Code Reference section updated, CPT code 62350, 62351, 62355 added, ICD-9 procedure code 03.90 added, ICD-9 diagnosis code 140 4th digit added 140.0, ICD-9 diagnosis 208.9 5th digit added 208.91, HCPCS A4222, A4230, A4231, A4232 “Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment.” added, HCPCS A4632 added, K0552, K0601, K0602, K0603, K0604, K0605 added

3/24/2006:  Coding updated. CPT4 2006 revisions added to policy

3/28/2006: Policy reviewed, no changes

12/28/2006: Code Reference section updated per the 2007 CPT/HCPCS revisions

12/17/2007: Coding updated. CPT/HCPCS 2008 revisions added to policy

7/21/2009: Description section updated to include OmniPod® information; policy statement updated to include separate glucometers are ineligible for coverage with the OmniPod® system. Code reference section updated: HCPC code E1399 added to covered table; notes added to codes A9274 and E0784.

 

 

SOURCE(S)

A search of literature was completed through the MEDLINE database for the period of January 1992 through May 1995. The search strategy focused on references containing the following Medical Subject Headings:
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Portable or External or Ambulatory

Research was limited to English-language journals on humans

TEC Evaluations 1989: p. 59

Hayes Medical Technology Directory

Uniform Medical Policy Manual, 4/1990

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy #1.01.08

http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/guidelines/gl_pw_a053532.htm

 

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of codes. Note that some codes may be variable, and coverage will be based on the clinical indication for the service.

Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

62350 

Implantation, revision or repositioning of tunneled intrathecal or epidural catheter, for long-term medication administration via an external pump or implantable reservoir/infusion pump; without laminectomy (added 9-24-2004)

62351

Implantation, revision or repositioning of tunneled intrathecal or epidural catheter, for long-term medication administration via an external pump or implantable reservoir/infusion pump; with laminectomy (added 9-24-2004)

62355

Removal of previously implanted intrathecal or epidural catheter (added 9-24-2004)

96521

Refilling and maintenance of portable pump (new 1-1-2006)

ICD-9 Procedure

03.90 

Insertion of catheter into spinal canal for infusion of therapeutic or palliative substances (added 9-24-2004)

ICD-9 Diagnosis

 

Morphine; see pain for specific body part

140.0 - 208.91

Malignant neoplasms code range (description revised 11-5-2003) (ICD-9 140 4th digit added, ICD-9 208.9 5th digit added 9-24-2004)

250.03, 250.13, 250.23, 250.33, 250.43, 250.53, 250.63, 250.73, 250.83, 250.93

Insulin-dependent diabetes, uncontrolled code range

444.0, 444.1

Embolism and thrombosis of abdominal aorta code range (added 11-5-2003)

444.21, 444.22 

Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of upper extremity code range (added 11-5-2003)

444.81 

Embolism and thrombosis of iliac artery (added 11-5-2003)

444.89 

Embolism and thrombosis of other specified artery (added 11-5-2003)

444.9

Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery (added 9-24-2004)

671.20, 671.21, 671.22, 671.23, 671.24 

Superficial thrombophlebitis complicating pregnancy and the puerperium, unspecified as to episode of care code range (added 11-5-2003)

671.30, 671.31, 671.33 

Deep phlebothrombosis, antepartum, code range (added 11-5-2003)

671.40, 671.42, 671.44 

Deep phlebothrombosis, postpartum, code range (added 11-5-2003)

671.50, 671.51, 671.52, 671.53, 671.54 

Other phlebitis and thrombosis complicating pregnancy and the puerperium, code range (added 11-5-2003)

671.80, 671.81, 671.82, 671.83, 671.84 

Other venous complication of pregnancy and the puerperium, code range (added 11-5-2003)

671.90, 671.91, 671.92, 671.93, 671.94 

Unspecified venous complication of pregnancy and the puerperium, code range (added 11-5-2003)

673.00, 673.01, 673.02, 673.03, 673.04 

Obstetrical air embolism code range (added 11-5-2003)

673.10, 673.11, 673.12, 673.13, 673.14 

Amniotic fluid embolism code range (added 11-5-2003)

673.20, 673.21, 673.22, 673.23, 673.24 

Obstetrical blood-clot embolism code range (added 11-5-2003)

673.30, 673.31, 673.32, 673.33, 673.34 

Obstetrical pyemic and septic embolism code range (added 11-5-2003)

673.80, 673.81, 673.82, 673.83, 673.84 

Other obstetrical pulmonary embolism code range (added 11-5-2003)

HCPCS

A4222

Supplies for external drug infusion pump, per cassette or bag (list drug separately)

Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment. (added 9-24-2004) 

A4230

Infusion set for external insulin pump, nonneedle cannula type

Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment. (added 9-24-2004)

A4231

Infusion set for external insulin pump, needle type

Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment. (added 9-24-2004)

A4232

Syringe with needle for external insulin pump, sterile, 3cc

Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment. (added 9-24-2004)

 

A9274

External ambulatory insulin delivery system, disposable, each, includes all supplies and accessories (new 1-1-2008)

Note: Use this code to report the "Pod" component of the Omnipod® infusion system. Use code E1399 to report the PDM component.

E0779

Ambulatory infusion pump, mechanical, reusable, for infusion 8 hours or greater

E0780

Ambulatory infusion pump, mechanical, reusable, for infusion less than 8 hours

E0781

Ambulatory infusion pump, single or multiple channels, with administrative equipment, worn by patient

E0784

External ambulatory infusion pump, insulin

Note: This code should not be used to report the Omnipod® infusion system. See codes E1399 and A9274

E1399

Durable medical equipment, miscellaneous

Note: This code should be used to report the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) component of the Omnipod® infusion system. Use code A9274 to report the "Pod" component.

K0552

Supplies for external drug infusion pump, syringe type cartridge, sterile, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

Note: See the Durable Medical Equipment medical policy for BCBSMS’ guidelines regarding accessories and medical supplies necessary for the effective functioning of covered durable medical equipment.

K0601

Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, silver oxide, 1.5 volt, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

K0602

Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, silver oxide, 3 volt, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

K0603

Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, alkaline, 1.5 volt, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

K0604

Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, lithium, 3.6 volt, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

K0605

Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, lithium, 4.5 volt, each (effective 4-1-2003) (added 9-24-2004)

 

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