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 Hyperthermia Therapy

Hyperthermia Therapy

 

DESCRIPTION

Hyperthermia can be administered using local and whole body techniques.

Local hyperthermia entails elevating the temperature of superficial or subcutaneous tumors while sparing surrounding normal tissue, using either external or interstitial modalities.

Whole body hyperthermia requires the patient to be placed under either general anesthesia or deep sedation. The patient's body temperature is increased to 108° F by packing the patient in heat (hot water) blankets. The elevated body temperature is maintained for a period of four hours while the essential body functions are closely monitored. Approximately one hour is required for a "cooling off" period after which the patient is constantly observed for a minimum of twelve hours. This modality has been variously termed "systemic thermotherapy" or "whole body hyperthermia."

 

POLICY

For Coding Guidelines see the Anesthesia Coding Policy.

Local hyperthermia therapy may be considered medically necessary when used in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with primary or metastatic cutaneous or subcutaneous superficial tumors.

Local hyperthermia is considered investigational when used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

Whole body hyperthermia is considered investigational.

 

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 Member's specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

3/1993: Issued

3/29/2001: Policy reviewed; Managed Care Requirements deleted, Code Reference section, Source(s) and Type of Service updated

2/14/2002: Investigational definition added

5/1/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

9/20/2002: Policy reviewed; no changes

1/17/2003: Policy reviewed; no changes based on Hayes report

2/13/2004: Code Reference section updated, ICD-9 procedure code range 92.21-92.26 deleted

2/20/2006: Code Reference table updated, CPT code 77620 added

2/24/2006: Policy reveiwed; no changes

7/18/2008: Anesthesia Coding Policy hyperlink added

9/28/2009: Coding Section updated with New ICD-9 Diagnosis Codes for 10-1-2009 added to Covered Codes Table- 209.31, 209.32, 209.33, 209.34, 209.35, 209.36, Verbiage added to Covered Codes Table, "* Some covered procedure codes may have multiple descriptions. Coverage will only be made for covered codes when used for services outlined within the policy statement section."

 

SOURCE(S)

Uniform Medical Policy Manual (11/1989)

Hayes Medical Technology Directory

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy #2.01.05

 

CODE REFERENCE

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

For Coding Guidelines see the Anesthesia Coding Policy.

Covered Codes

* Some covered procedure codes may have multiple descriptions. Coverage will only be made for covered codes when used for services outlined within the policy statement section.

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

77600

Hyperthermia, externally generated; superficial (i.e., heating to a depth of 4 cm or less)

77605

Hyperthermia, externally generated; deep (i.e., heating to depths greater than 4 cm

77610

Hyperthermia generated by interstitial probe; 5 or fewer interstitial applicators

77615

Hyperthermia generated by interstitial probe;  more than 5 interstitial applicators

77620

Hyperthermia generated by intracavitary probe(s)

ICD-9 Procedure

99.85

Hyperthermia

ICD-9 Diagnosis

171.0

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of head, face, and neck

171.2 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of upper limb, including shoulder

171.3 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of lower limb, including hip

171.4 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of thorax

171.5 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of abdomen

171.6 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of pelvis

171.7 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of trunk, unspecified site

171.8 

Malignant neoplasm of other specified sites of connective and other soft tissue

171.9 

Malignant neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue, site unspecified

173.0 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of lip

173.1 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of eyelid, including canthus

173.2 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auditory canal

173.3 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of other and unspecified parts of face

173.4 

Other malignant neoplasm of scalp and skin of neck

173.5 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of trunk, except scrotum

173.6 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder

173.7 

Other malignant neoplasm of skin of lower limb, including hip

173.8 

Other malignant neoplasm of other specified sites of skin

173.9

Other malignant neoplasm of skin, site unspecified

198.2

Secondary malignant neoplasm of skin

198.89

Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites

209.31

Merkel cell carcinoma of the face (New 10-1-2009)

209.32

Merkel cell carcinoma of the scalp and neck (New 10-1-2009)

209.33

Merkel cell carcinoma of the upper limb (New 10-1-2009)

209.34

Merkel cell carcinoma of the lower limb (New 10-1-2009)

209.35

Merkel cell carcinoma of the trunk (New 10-1-2009)

209.36

Merkel cell carcinoma of other sites (New 10-1-2009)

232.0 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of lip (added 2-13-2004)

232.1 

Carcinoma in situ of eyelid, including canthus (added 2-13-2004)

232.2 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of ear and external auditory canal (added 2-13-2004)

232.3 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of other and unspecified parts of face (added 2-13-2004)

232.4 

Carcinoma in situ of scalp and skin of neck (added 2-13-2004)

232.5 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of trunk, except scrotum (added 2-13-2004)

232.6 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of upper limb, including shoulder (added 2-13-2004)

232.7 

Carcinoma in situ of skin of lower limb, including hip (added 2-13-2004)

232.8 

Carcinoma in situ of other specified sites of skin (added 2-13-2004)

232.9 

Carcinoma in situ of skin, site unspecified (added 2-13-2004)

HCPCS

 

  

 

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