Fidanacogene Elaparvovec-dzkt (Beqvez™)
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
Beqvez is an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy indicated for treatment of adults with moderate to severe Hemophilia B (congenital Factor IX deficiency) who:
· Currently use Factor IX prophylaxis therapy, or
· Have current or historical life-threatening hemorrhage, or
· Have repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes, and,
· Do not have neutralizing antibodies to adeno-associated virus serotype Rh74var (AAVRh74var) capsid as detected by an FDA-approved test
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:
Chart notes, lab tests documenting all of the following (where applicable):
A. Severe to moderately severe Factor IX deficiency (≤2% of normal circulating Factor IX)
B. Absence of Factor IX inhibitors (lab test results required)
C. Current use of Factor IX prophylaxis therapy
D. History of life-threatening hemorrhage(s) or repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes
E. Negative adeno-associated virus serotype Rh74var (AAVRh74var) antibody test result
III. PRESCRIBER SPECIALTIES
This medication must be prescribed by or in consultation with a hematologist.
IV. CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPROVAL
Hemophilia B
Authorization of 1 month for one dose total may be granted for the treatment of hemophilia B when all of the following criteria are met:
A. Member is 18 years of age or older
B. Member meets either of the following:
1. Member has a negative Factor IX inhibitor test result within the past 30 days
2. If member has a positive Factor IX inhibitor test result within the past 30 days, there must be a negative test result within 2 weeks of the initial positive result
C. Member has severe or moderately severe Factor IX deficiency (≤2% of normal circulating Factor IX) and meets any of the following:
1. Member is currently using Factor IX prophylactic therapy
2. Member has a current or history of a life-threatening hemorrhage
3. Member has a history of repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes
D. Member has a negative adeno-associated virus serotype Rh74var (AAVRh74var) antibody test result
E. Member has not previously received gene therapy treatment
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
Beqvez [package insert]. New York, NY: Pfizer Inc.; April 2024.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/31/2024
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 7/31/2024
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.
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