BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medical Policy Manual

Beremagene Geperpavec-svdt (Vyjuvek™) 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

 

We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers.  This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it.  The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy.  For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed.  If there is a conflict between the medical policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.

 

POLICY

 

          I.    INDICATIONS

 

The indications below including FDA-approved indications and compendial uses are considered a covered benefit provided that all the approval criteria are met and the member has no exclusions to the prescribed therapy.

 

FDA-Approved Indication

Vyjuvek is indicated for the treatment of wounds in patients 6 months of age and older with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with mutation(s) in the collagen type VII alpha 1 chain (COL7A1) gene.

 

All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary.

 

         II.    DOCUMENTATION

 

Submission of the following information is necessary to initiate the prior authorization review:

A.    Medical records documenting clinical manifestations of disease.

B.    Genetic test results confirming a mutation in the COL7A1 gene.

 

       III.    PRESCRIBER SPECIALTIES

 

This medication must be prescribed by or in consultation with a dermatologist or wound care specialist.

 

       IV.    CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPROVAL

 

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB)

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for treatment of wounds in members with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) when all of the following criteria are met:

A.    Member is 6 months of age and older.

B.    Member has clinical manifestations of disease (e.g., extensive skin blistering, skin erosions, scarring).

C.    Member has genetic test results confirming a mutation in the COL7A1 gene.

D.    Member does not have a history of squamous cell carcinoma in the affected wound(s) that will receive treatment.

E.    The requested medication will be administered once weekly to the affected wound(s) by a healthcare professional either at a healthcare professional setting (e.g., clinic) or a home setting.

F.    The requested medication will not be administered to wound(s) that are currently healed.

         

APPLICABLE TENNESSEE STATE MANDATE REQUIREMENTS

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Medical Policy complies with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2352 regarding coverage of off-label indications of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs when the off-label use is recognized in one of the statutorily recognized standard reference compendia or in the published peer-reviewed medical literature.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

For appropriate chemotherapy regimens, dosage information, contraindications, precautions, warnings, and monitoring information, please refer to one of the standard reference compendia (e.g., the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, Drugdex Evaluations of Micromedex Solutions at Truven Health, or The American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information).

REFERENCES

1.     Vyjuvek [package insert]. Pittsburgh, PA: Krystal Biotech, Inc.; May 2023.

2.     Guide SV, Gonzalez ME, Bağcı IS, et al. Trial of Beremagene Geperpavec (B-VEC) for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(24):2211-2219.

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/30/2023

MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 7/9/2024

ID_CHS

Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

This document has been classified as public information