BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medical Policy Manual
Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)
Alyglo™ Asceniv™; Bivigam®; Flebogamma® DIF; Gammagard® Liquid; Gammagard® S/D; Gammaked™; Gammaplex®; Gamunex®-C; Octagam®; Panzyga®; Privigen®; Yimmugo®
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
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 Indications
Compendial Uses
All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary.
DOCUMENTATION
The following information is necessary to initiate the prior authorization review:
Primary immunodeficiency
Myasthenia gravis
Secondary hypogammaglobulinemia (e.g., CLL, BMT/HSCT recipients)
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)
Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Parvovirus B19-indicated Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)
Stiff-person syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome or toxic necrotizing fasciitis due to group A streptococcus
COVERAGE CRITERIA
Primary Immunodeficiency
Initial authorization of 6 months may be granted for members with any of the following diagnoses:
Re-authorization of 12 months may be granted when the following criteria are met:
Myasthenia Gravis
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Dermatomyositis or Polymyositis
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ITP/(Immune Thrombocytopenia)
The member’s risk factor(s) for bleeding (see Appendix B) or reason requiring a rapid increase in platelets must be provided.
B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Prophylaxis of Bacterial Infections in HIV-Infected Pediatric Patients
Bone marrow transplant/hemopoietic stem cell transplant (BMT/HSCT)
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Authorization of 1 month total may be granted for GBS when the following criteria are met:
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
Kawasaki Syndrome
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for pediatric members with Kawasaki syndrome.
Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (F/NAIT)
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for treatment of F/NAIT.
Parvovirus B19-induced Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for severe, refractory anemia associated with bone marrow suppression, with parvovirus B19 viremia.
Stiff-person Syndrome
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for stiff-person syndrome when the following criteria are met:
Management of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related toxicities
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for management of immune checkpoint-inhibitor toxicities when all of the following criteria are met:
Acquired Red Cell Aplasia
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for acquired red cell aplasia.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in members who have had an insufficient response or a contraindication to intravenous corticosteroid treatment.
Autoimmune Mucocutaneous Blistering Disease
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease (includes pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita) when the following criteria are met:
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for warm-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia in members who do not respond or have a contraindication to corticosteroids or splenectomy.
Autoimmune Neutropenia
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for autoimmune neutropenia where treatment with G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) is not appropriate.
Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for birdshot (vitiliginous) retinochoroidopathy that is not responsive to immunosuppressives (eg corticosteroids, cyclosporine).
BK Virus Associated Nephropathy
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for BK virus associated nephropathy.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for severe, active Churg-Strauss syndrome as adjunctive therapy for members who have experienced failure, intolerance, or are contraindicated to other interventions.
Enteroviral Meningoencephalitis
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for severe cases of enteroviral meningoencephalitis.
Hematophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS)
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for treatment of hypogammaglobulinemia in HLH or MAS when total IgG is less than 400 mg/dL or two standard deviations below the mean for age.
Hemolytic Disease of Newborn
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for isoimmune hemolytic disease in neonates.
HIV-associated Thrombocytopenia
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for HIV-associated thrombocytopenia when the following criteria are met:
Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E Syndrome
Authorization of 6 months may be granted to treat severe eczema in hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome.
Hypogammaglobulinemia from CAR-T therapy
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for members with IgG < 400 mg/dL receiving treatment with CAR-T therapy (including but not limited to idecabtagene vicleucel [Abecma], tisagenlecleucel [Kymriah], or axicabtagene ciloleucel [Yescarta]).
Multiple Myeloma
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for multiple myeloma in members who have recurrent, serious infections despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics.
Neonatal Hemochromatosis
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for prophylaxis in members who are pregnant with a history of pregnancy ending in documented neonatal hemochromatosis.
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for treatment of either of the following:
Post-transfusion Purpura
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for post-transfusion purpura.
Rasmussen Encephalitis
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for Rasmussen encephalitis in members whose symptoms do not improve with anti-epileptic drugs and corticosteroids.
Renal Transplantation
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for a member undergoing renal transplantation from a live donor with ABO incompatibility or positive cross match.
Secondary Immunosuppression Associated with Major Surgery, Hematological Malignancy, Major Burns, and Collagen-Vascular Diseases
Authorization of 6 months may be granted to prevent or modify recurrent bacterial or viral infections in members with secondary immunosuppression (IgG < 400 mg/dL) associated with major surgery, hematological malignancy, extensive burns, or collagen-vascular disease.
Solid Organ Transplantation
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for solid organ transplantation for allosensitized members.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for severe cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for staphylococcal or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome when the infection is refractory to several hours of aggressive therapy, an undrainable focus is present, or the member has persistent oliguria with pulmonary edema.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for severe, active SLE in members who have experienced inadequate response, intolerance or have a contraindication to first and second line therapies (e.g., hydroyxychloroquine, glucocorticoids, anifrolumab, rituximab).
Measles (Rubeola) prophylaxis
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for postexposure prophylaxis to prevent or modify symptoms of measles (rubeola) in susceptible members exposed to the disease less than 6 days previously.
Tetanus treatment and prophylaxis
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for treatment or postexposure prophylaxis of tetanus as an alternative when tetanus immune globulin (TIG) is unavailable.
Varicella prophylaxis
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for postexposure prophylaxis of varicella in susceptible individuals when varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) is unavailable.
Toxic Necrotizing Fasciitis Due To Group A Streptococcus
Authorization of 1 month may be granted for members with fasciitis due to invasive streptococcal infection.
CONTINUATION OF THERAPY
Authorization may be granted for continuation of therapy when either the following criteria is met:
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Impaired Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
Appendix B: Examples of Risk Factors for Bleeding (not all inclusive)
MEDICATION QUANTITY LIMITS
Drug Name |
Diagnosis |
Maximum Dosing Regimen |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Acquired Red Cell Aplasia, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Toxicities |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Autoimmune Mucocutaneous Blistering Diseases, Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy, Opsoclonus-Myoclonus, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Autoimmune Neutropenia |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Gammagard S/D Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous 400mg/kg every 3 weeks |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
BK Virus Associated Nephropathy, Enteroviral Meningoencephalitis, Hematophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), Renal Transplantation from a Live Donor with ABO Incompatibility or Positive Cross Match |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)/ Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Churg-Strauss Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Dermatomyositis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Toxic Necrotizing Fasciitis due to Group A Streptococcus, Toxic Shock Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Hemolytic Disease of Newborn |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
HIV-Associated Thrombocytopenia |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Hypogammaglobulinemia from CAR-T Therapy |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Gammagard S/D Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) |
Route of Administration: Intravenous 1g/kg once; may repeat on alternating days for a maximum of 3 doses 400mg/kg every day for 5 days |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Kawasaki Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Gammagard S/D Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Kawasaki Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous ≤18 Years 400mg/kg every day for 4 days
≤18 Years 1g/kg as a single dose |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Measles (Rubeola) Prophylaxis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Multiple Myeloma, Primary Immunodeficiency, Secondary Immunosuppression Associated with Major Surgery, Hematological Malignancy, Major Burns, and Collagen-Vascular Diseases |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Myasthenia Gravis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Neonatal Hemochromatosis, Prophylaxis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Parvovirus B19-Induced Pure Red Cell Aplasia |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Polymyositis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous 2g/kg divided over 1 to 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Post-Transfusion Purpura |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Prophylaxis of Bacterial Infections in Pediatric HIV Infection |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Rasmussen Encephalitis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Solid Organ Transplantation, for Allosensitized Members |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Stiff-Person Syndrome |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Tetanus Treatment and Prophylaxis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
Alyglo, Asceniv Bivigam, Flebogamma DIF, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D, Gammaked, Gammaplex, Gamunex-C, Octagam, Panzyga, Privigen Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) |
Varicella Prophylaxis |
Route of Administration: Intravenous |
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
REFERENCES
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/4/97
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 1/14/2025
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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