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A.2.01.38
Transesophageal endoscopic therapies are being developed for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A variety of procedures are being evaluated, including transesophageal (or transoral) incisionless fundoplication (TIF), application of radiofrequency energy, and injection/implantation of prosthetic devices or bulking agents.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder characterized by heartburn and other symptoms related to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Nearly all individuals experience such symptoms at some point in their lives; a smaller number have chronic symptoms and are at risk for complications of GERD. The prevalence of GERD has been estimated to be approximately 20% in the United States.
PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of GERD involves excessive exposure to stomach acid, which occurs for several reasons. There can be an incompetent barrier between the esophagus and stomach, either due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter or incompetence of the diaphragm. Another mechanism is an abnormally slow clearance of stomach acid. In this situation, delayed clearance leads to an increased reservoir of stomach acid and a greater tendency to reflux.
In addition to troubling symptoms, some patients will have a more serious disease, which results in complications such as erosive esophagitis, dysphagia, Barrett esophagus, and esophageal carcinoma. Pulmonary complications may result from aspiration of stomach acid into the lungs and can include asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchitis, or symptoms of chronic hoarseness, cough, and sore throat.
TreatmentGuidelines on the management of GERD emphasize initial medical management. Weight loss, smoking cessation, head of the bed elevation, and elimination of food triggers are all recommended in recent practice guidelines. Proton pump inhibitors have been shown to be the most effective medical treatment. In a Cochrane systematic review, proton pump inhibitors demonstrated superiority to H2-receptor agonists and prokinetics in both network meta-analyses and direct comparisons.
Surgical Treatment
The most common surgical procedure used for GERD remains laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication; however, the utilization of this procedure steadily declined between 2009 and 2013 with the advancement of novel nonmedical (endoscopic and surgical) techniques. Fundoplication involves wrapping a portion of the gastric fundus around the distal esophagus to increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure. If a hiatal hernia is present, the procedure also restores the position of the lower esophageal sphincter to the correct location. Laparoscopic fundoplication was introduced in 1991 and has been rapidly adopted because it avoids complications associated with an open procedure.
Although fundoplication results in a high proportion of patients reporting symptom relief, complications can occur, and sometimes require conversion to an open procedure. Patients who have relief of symptoms of GERD after fundoplication may have dysphagia or gas-bloat syndrome (excessive gastrointestinal gas).
Other Treatment Options
Due in part to the high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, there has been interest in creating a minimally invasive transesophageal therapeutic alternative to open or laparoscopic fundoplication or chronic medical therapy. This type of procedure may be considered natural orifice transluminal surgery. Three types of procedures have been investigated.
Transesophageal endoscopic gastroplasty (gastroplication, transoral incisionless fundoplication) can be performed as an outpatient procedure. During this procedure, the fundus of the stomach is folded, and then held in place with staples or fasteners that aredeployed by the device. The endoscopic procedure is designed to recreate a valve and barrier to reflux.
Radiofrequency energy has been used to produce submucosal thermal lesions at the gastroesophageal junction. (This technique has also been referred to as the Stretta procedure). Specifically, radiofrequency energy is applied through four (4) electrodes inserted into the esophageal wall at multiple sites both above and below the squamocolumnar junction. The mechanism of action of the thermal lesions is not precisely known but may be related to the ablation of the nerve pathways responsible for sphincter relaxation or may induce a tissue-tightening effect related to heat–induced collagen contraction and fibrosis.
Submucosal injection or implantation of a prosthetic or bulking agent to enhance the volume of the lower esophageal sphincter has also been investigated. One bulking agent, pyrolytic carbon-coated zirconium oxide spheres (Durasphere), has been evaluated. The Gatekeeper™ Reflux Repair System (Medtronic) used a soft, pliable, expandable prosthesis made of a polyacrylonitrile-based hydrogel. The prosthesis was implanted into the esophageal submucosa, and with time, the prosthesis absorbed water and expanded, creating bulk in the region of implantation. However, the only identified RCT was terminated early due to lack of efficacy and it was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer. Endoscopic submucosal implantation of polymethylmethacrylate beads into the lower esophageal folds has also been investigated.
The EsophyX® (EndoGastric Solutions) is a transesophageal or (transoral) incisionless fundoplication (TIF) device that was originally cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process in 2007 and has subsequently undergone 2 evolutions: Generation 2=EsophyX2 iterations (E2-Plus, HD) and Generation 3=Z iterations (EZ/ZR, Z+). Some of the key Regulatory Status changes are summarized in this policy. In 2007, EsophyX® (EndoGastric Solutions) was cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the 510(k) process for full-thickness plication. In 2016, EsophyX® Z Device with SerosaFuse Fasteners was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process (K160960) for use in transoral tissue approximation, full-thickness plication, ligation in the gastrointestinal tract, narrowing the gastroesophageal junction, and reduction of hiatal hernias of 2 cm or less in patients with symptomatic chronic GERD. In June 2017, EsophyX2 HD and the third-generation EsophyX Z Devices with SerosaFuse fasteners and accessories were cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process (K171307) for expanded indications, including patients who require and respond to pharmacologic therapy and patients with hiatal hernias larger than 2 cm when a laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair reduces a hernia to 2 cm or less. An additional FDA 510(k) clearance (K172811) occurred in October 2017 for new product specification iterations of EsophyX2 HD and EsophyX Z Devices. This clearance allows for "a moderate increase in the upper limit of the temporary Tissue Mold clamping pressure occurring during each fastener deployment." A 2024 FDA 510(k) clearance (K240879) updated instructions for use and other device labeling. FDA product code: ODE.
The Medigus SRS Endoscopic Stapling System (MUSE, Medigus) was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process in 2012 (K120299) and 2014 (K132151). MUSE is intended for endoscopic placement of surgical staples in the soft tissue of the esophagus and stomach to create anterior partial fundoplication for the treatment of symptomatic chronic GERD in patients who require and respond to pharmacologic therapy.
The GERDX-System (K233240) was cleared through the 510(k) process in 2024 (K233240). The device is intended for endoscopic full-thickness plication for chronic GERD in individuals who require and respond to pharmacological therapy. FDA product code: ODE. The manufacturer website includes a description for use in presence of a hiatal hernia up to 3 cm in size. The device is clinically, biologically, and technologically identical to the NDO Surgical Endoscopic Plication System (K071553) which was approved by the FDA in 2003 and has since been removed from the market due to risk of complications. Technological details of the GERDX-System have been improved from the predicate device to improve safety.
In 2000, the CSM Stretta® System was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process for general use in the electrosurgical coagulation of tissue and was specifically intended for use in the treatment of GERD. In 2010, Mederi Therapeutics began manufacturing the Stretta® device. Mederi was acquired by Respiratory Technology Corporation in 2018. FDA product code: GEI.
Durasphere® is a bulking agent approved for the treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence (see Injectable Bulking Agents for the Treatment of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence medical policy). Use of this product for esophageal reflux would be considered off-label use. The website of Carbon Medical Technologies states that Durasphere® GR product is "intended to treat problems associated with GERD" but is considered an investigational device in the United States.
Transoral incisionless fundoplication (eg, EsophyX, MUSE, GERDX) is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Transesophageal radiofrequency to create submucosal thermal lesions of the gastroesophageal junction (ie, the Stretta procedure) is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Endoscopic submucosal implantation of a prosthesis or injection of a bulking agent (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate beads, zirconium oxide spheres) is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Federal Employee Program (FEP) may dictate that all FDA-approved devices, drugs or biologics may not be considered investigational and thus these devices may be assessed only on the basis of their medical necessity.
The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.
Investigative is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized as a generally accepted standard of good medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and; therefore, is not considered medically necessary. For the definition of Investigative, “generally accepted standards of medical practice” means standards that are based on credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, and physician specialty society recommendations, and the views of medical practitioners practicing in relevant clinical areas and any other relevant factors. In order for equipment, devices, drugs or supplies [i.e, technologies], to be considered not investigative, the technology must have final approval from the appropriate governmental bodies, and scientific evidence must permit conclusions concerning the effect of the technology on health outcomes, and the technology must improve the net health outcome, and the technology must be as beneficial as any established alternative and the improvement must be attainable outside the testing/investigational setting.
5/2001: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC).
2/11/2002: Investigational definition added.
3/13/2002: New 2002 code added.
4/22/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted.
5/7/2002: Code Reference section updated.
5/2002: Reviewed by MPAC; investigational status remains, Sources updated.
5/30/2002: Code Reference section updated.
6/20/2002: Code Reference section updated, CPT code 43200 and 0008T deleted.
8/2002: Reviewed by MPAC; investigational status remains, Sources updated.
9/20/2002: HCPCS C9701 and C9703 deleted, CPT 0008T re-added.
10/1/2002: Description and Policy sections revised to be consistent with BCBSA policy, Sources and Code Reference sections updated.
12/17/2003: Code Reference section updated.
1/27/2004: Policy reviewed, investigational status remains, "Description" and "Policy" sections aligned with BCBSA, Sources updated.
3/24/2005: Code Reference section updated, CPT code 0057T with effective date of 1/1/2004, deletion date of 12/31/2004, and Note: “See CPT code 43257” added, CPT code 43257 with effective date of 1/1/2005 added, CPT code 43499 Note: “To report services on or after 1-1-2005, see CPT code 43257” added, HCPCS S2215 with effective date of 1/1/2005 added.
10/17/05: EnteryxTM notice about manufacturer recall added.
3/8/2006: Policy reviewed, no changes.
3/15/2006: Coding updated. CPT4 2006/HCPCS 2005 revisions added to policy.
6/19/2007: Policy description updated; added PlicatorTM and StomaphyXTM devices cleared through 510(k) process. Code reference section updated per quartery HCPCS and Category III revisions.
12/19/2007: Coding updated per 2008 CPT/HCPCS revisions.
7/22/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes.
7/9/2009: Policy reviewed, description updated, no policy changes.
09/09/2010: Policy description updated regarding available devices. Policy statement unchanged. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section. Removed deleted codes 0008T and 0133T from the Code Reference section.
11/10/2011: Policy description updated regarding procedures. The following policy statements were combined under a bulking agent statement and remain investigational: 1) Endoscopic submucosal implantation of a biocompatible polymer (i.e., EnteryxTM) is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and 2) Endoscopic submucosal implantation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads into the lower esophageal folds is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The new statement is as follows: Endoscopic submucosal implantation of a prosthesis or injection of a bulking agent (e.g., biocompatible liquid polymer, polymethylmethacrylate beads, zirconium oxide spheres) is considered investigational as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
01/18/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.
02/20/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.
03/25/2014: Policy reviewed; no changes to policy statement. Deleted outdated references from Sources section. Updated description of CPT code 43257.
05/19/2015: Policy description updated regarding procedures and devices. Removed NDO Plicator, EndoCinch, and Enteryx from the policy. First investigational policy statement revised to change "Transesophageal endoscopic gastroplasty" to "Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF)." Third investigational policy statement updated to remove "biocompatible liquid polymer" as an example of a bulking agent. Policy guidelines updated to revise investigational definition. Removed ICD-9 procedure code 42.23 from the Code Reference section.
09/01/2015: Code Reference section updated for ICD-10.
06/08/2016: Policy number A.2.01.38 added.
08/15/2016: Policy description updated regarding transesophageal endoscopic gastroplasty. Policy statements unchanged. Code Reference section updated to add CPT code 43210.
11/04/2016: Policy description updated regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease and devices. Policy statements unchanged.
01/12/2018: Policy description updated regarding devices. Policy statements unchanged.
12/28/2018: Policy description updated regarding endoscopic procedures. Policy statements unchanged.
12/09/2019: Policy reviewed; no changes.
01/27/2021: Policy description updated regarding devices. Policy statements unchanged.
02/01/2022: Policy description updated regarding surgical treatment and devices. First investigational statement regarding transoral incisionless fundoplication updated to add "MUSE" for clarification. Policy intent unchanged.
01/23/2023: Policy description updated. Policy statements unchanged.
01/08/2024: Policy reviewed; no changes.
02/17/2025: Policy description updated regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease and devices. Investigational policy statement regarding transoral incisionless fundoplication updated to include the GERDX device.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association policy # 2.01.38
This may not be a comprehensive list of procedure codes applicable to this policy.
Investigational Codes
Code Number | Description |
CPT-4 | |
43210 | Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with esophagogastric fundoplasty, partial or complete, includes duodenoscopy when performed |
43257 | Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with delivery of thermal energy to the muscle of lower esophageal sphincter and/or gastric cardia, for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease |
43289 | Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, esophagus |
43499 | Unlisted procedure, esophagus |
HCPCS | |
ICD-10 Procedure | |
0DU48JZ | Supplement esophagogastric junction with synthetic substitute via natural or artificial opening endoscopic |
0DV48ZZ | Restriction of esophagogastric junction, via natural of artificial opening endoscopic |
ICD-10 Diagnosis |
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