BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medical Policy Manual

Olipudase Alfa (Xenpozyme™)

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

Xenpozyme is indicated for treatment of non-central nervous system manifestations of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) in adult and pediatric patients.

 

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.    Initial requests: acid sphingomyelinase enzyme assay or genetic testing results supporting the diagnosis.

B.    Continuation of therapy requests: documentation (e.g., chart notes, lab results) of a response to therapy (e.g., improvement in lung function, reduction in spleen volume, reduction in liver volume, improvement in platelet count, improvement in linear growth progression).

 

       III.    CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPROVAL

 

Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (ASMD)

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for treatment of non-central nervous system manifestations of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) when the diagnosis is confirmed by either of the following:

A.    A documented deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase as measured in peripheral leukocytes, cultured fibroblasts, or lymphocytes, or

B.    Genetic testing results documenting a mutation in the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-1 (SMPD1) gene.

 

       IV.    CONTINUATION OF THERAPY  

 

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for continued treatment in members requesting reauthorization for an indication listed in Section III who are responding to therapy (e.g., improvement in lung function, reduction in spleen volume, reduction in liver volume, improvement in platelet count, improvement in linear growth progression).

 

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.     Xenpozyme [package insert]. Cambridge, MA: Genzyme Corporation; July 2023.

2.     Wasserstein MP, Schuchman EH. Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency. 2006 Dec 7 [Updated 2023 Apr 27]. In: Adam MP, Everman DB, Mirzaa GM, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1370/ (Accessed on November 7, 2023).

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/31/2022

MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 6/11/2024

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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