Coverage Policies

Important! Please note:

Current policies effective through April 30, 2024.

Use the index below to search for coverage information on specific medical conditions.

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Medical Providers: Payment for care or services is based on eligibility, medical necessity and available benefits at time of service and is subject to all contractual exclusions and limitations, including pre-existing conditions if applicable.

Future eligibility cannot be guaranteed and should be rechecked at time of service. Verify benefits by signing into My Account or calling Customer Service at 800.235.7111 or 501.228.7111.

QualChoice follows care guidelines published by MCG Health.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Providers (PDF)

QualChoice reserves the right to alter, amend, change or supplement medical policies as needed. QualChoice reviews and authorizes services and substances. CPT and HCPCS codes are listed as a convenience and any absent, new or changed codes do not alter the intent of the policy.

INDEX:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Effective Date: 04/01/2015 Title: Entyvio (Vedolizumab)
Revision Date: 10/01/2019 Document: BI478:00
CPT Code(s): C9026, J3380
Public Statement

Effective Date:

a)    This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above revision date which will become the new effective date.

b)    For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply.

1)    Entyvio (Vedolizumab) requires prior authorization.

2)    Entyvio is used to treat Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.


Medical Statement

Entyvio (Vedolizumab) is considered medically necessary for patients with moderate to severely active Ulcerative Colitis or moderate to severely active Crohn’s Disease (K50.00 - K50.919) AND  the following:

1)    For Ulcerative Colitis, inadequate response with, or lost response to or was not able to tolerate a) either Stelara, or Simponi AND b) Xeljanz/XR

2)    For Crohn’s Disease, inadequate response with, or lost response to or was not able to tolerate two (2) of Humira, Cimzia, and Stelara.

3)    For both UC and Crohn’s Disease, inadequate response with, or lost response to or demonstrated dependence on corticosteroids AND

Reauthorization requires documentation that patient is responding positively to therapy.

 

Codes Used In This BI:

 

C9026 – Injection, Vedolizumab, 1mg (deleted 12/31/2015)

J3380 – Injection, Vedolizumab, 1mg (Entyvio) effective 1/1/2016


Reference

1)    Entyvio Prescribing Information.  Takeda Pharmaceuticals.  May 2014.

2)    Clinical Pharmacology.  Accessed online 3/2/2015.

3)    Sands, B, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Loftus, Jr. E, et al. Vedolizumab versus Adalimumab for Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis.  N Engl J Med 2019; 381:1215-1226. September 2019.


Application to Products
This policy applies to all health plans administered by QualChoice, both those insured by QualChoice and those that are self-funded by the sponsoring employer, unless there is indication in this policy otherwise or a stated exclusion in your medical plan booklet. Consult the individual plan sponsor Summary Plan Description (SPD) for self-insured plans or the specific Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for those plans insured by QualChoice. In the event of a discrepancy between this policy and a self-insured customer’s SPD or the specific QualChoice EOC, the SPD or EOC, as applicable, will prevail. State and federal mandates will be followed as they apply.
Changes: QualChoice reserves the right to alter, amend, change or supplement benefit interpretations as needed.
This policy has recently been updated. Please use the index above or enter policy title in search bar for the latest version.