Close Window
Aetna Aetna
Clinical Policy Bulletin:
Non-invasive Negative Pressure Ventilation: Body Ventilators and Poncho Wrap
Number: 0298


Policy

Aetna considers non-invasive negative pressure ventilation medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) for members with stable or slowly progressive respiratory failure due to neuromuscular diseases, chest wall deformity, or central hypoventilation syndromes (see background section for selection criteria).

Aetna considers non-invasive negative pressure ventilation experimental and investigational for all other indications because its effectiveness for indications other than the ones listed above has not been established.

Note:  Non-invasive negative pressure ventilation may be given to members with respiratory failure with the use of devices that apply intermittent negative extra-thoracic pressure and augment tidal volume.  These include body ventilators and the poncho wrap.

Note: Electrical generators do not meet Aetna’s definition of DME because they are not primarily medical in nature.

Aetna considers a second invasive or non-invasive ventilator medically necessary if it is required to serve a different purpose as determined by the member’s medical needs.  Examples (not all-inclusive) of situations in which multiple ventilators may be considered medically necessary are:

  1. An individual requires one type of ventilator (e.g., a negative pressure ventilator with a chest shell) for part of the day and needs a different type of ventilator (e.g., positive pressure ventilator with a nasal mask) during the rest of the day.
  2. An individual who is confined to a wheelchair requires a ventilator mounted on the wheelchair for use during the day and needs another ventilator of the same type for use while in bed.  Without both pieces of equipment, the individual may be prone to certain medical complications, may not be able to achieve certain appropriate medical outcomes, or may not be able to use the medical equipment effectively.


Background

The term non-invasive ventilation refers to the delivery of ventilatory support without endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.  Traditionally, non-invasive ventilation has been given with the use of devices that apply intermittent negative extra-thoracic pressure (non-invasive negative pressure ventilation).  More recently the use of non-invasive ventilation has greatly expanded with the advent of positive pressure ventilation that is delivered through a nasal or face mask (non-invasive positive pressure ventilation).

Tank-type negative-pressure ventilators, such as the Emerson iron lung or Drinker respirator, were the mainstay of ventilatory support during the polio epidemics in the 1950's.  Although the tank ventilator is reliable, it is bulky (3 meters long) and heavy (300 kg), virtually precluding portability.  A more portable fiberglass tank ventilator is available (Portalung, Nellcor Puritan Bennett, St. Louis, MO), but it weighs approximately 50 kg and requires 2 persons to move.  Subsequently, less bulky, more portable negative-pressure ventilators were developed.  Today, the most commonly used negative-pressure ventilator is the poncho wrap (or jacket) ventilator (Numowrap, Respironics, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA), which consists of an impermeable nylon jacket suspended by a rigid chest piece that fits over the chest and abdomen.  The cuirass (or tortoise shell) ventilator is another negative-pressure device, which consists of a rigid plastic or metal dome over the chest and abdomen.  The chest and wrap ventilators are lightweight, but both must be connected to negative-pressure generators, which weigh 15 to 30 kg, such as the Maxi-vent (Nellcor Puritan Bennett, St. Louis, MO), Emerson NPV (J.J. Emerson, Inc., Cambridge, MA), or NEV-100 (Respironics, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA).

Negative-pressure ventilators work by intermittently applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to the chest wall and abdomen; this increases transpulmonary pressure and causes atmospheric pressure at the mouth to inflate the lungs.  Expiration occurs passively by elastic recoil of the lung and chest wall as pressure within the device rises to atmospheric levels.  Several uncontrolled studies reported benefits of intermittent negative pressure ventilation in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to chest wall deformity, neuromuscular diseases, and central hypoventilation.  In patients with stable, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however, a large randomized controlled trial found that negative pressure ventilation had no benefit (Shapiro, 1992).  The non-invasive use of positive-pressure ventilators has now superseded negative-pressure treatment for COPD.

Regarding use of noninvasive negative pressure ventilation in COPD, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD, 2010) concluded that negative pressure ventilation is not indicated for the chronic management of stage IV, very severe COPD patients, with or without CO2 retention. The GOLD guidelines state that negative pressure ventilation has been demonstrated to have no effect on shortness of breath, exercise tolerance, arterial blood gases, respiratory muscle strength, or quality of life in COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure.

In recent years, negative-pressure ventilation has been used infrequently for the management of patients with acute respiratory failure.  In a review of the literature on non-invasive ventilation, Hillberg and Johnson (1997) noted that the role of negative pressure ventilation in the management of acute respiratory failure is unclear.  Studies of the use of the body ventilator or poncho wrap for patients with acute respiratory failure and COPD, neuromuscular disease, or chest wall deformity suggest some benefit from these devices, but the studies have not been prospective and controlled.

Hillberg and Johnson (1997) also noted that negative pressure ventilation has not been widely used, because of poor acceptance by patients, inadequate effectiveness for many patients, the awkward size of the devices, and the development of upper airway obstruction in some patients.  Candidates for non-invasive negative-pressure ventilation with chronic respiratory failure should have at least mild to moderate daytime CO2 retention (usually an indication of more severe nocturnal CO2 retention).  Candidates with mild CO2 retention should also have symptoms attributable to hypoventilation and associated poor sleep quality such as morning headache, daytime hypersomnolence, and energy loss.  In the absence of evidence of daytime CO2 retention, there should be direct evidence of nocturnal hypoventilation and oxygen desaturation.  A recent consensus conference concluded that a PaCO2 greater than 45 mm Hg or abnormal nocturnal oxygen saturation was a sufficient indication for non-invasive ventilation (Robert, 1993; NAMDRC, 1999).  Clinically significant hypoxemia during sleep has been defined as oxyhemoglobin saturation of less than 88 % for at least 5 minutes (NAMDRC, 1999).

Patients with stable or slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases, central hypoventilation, or chest wall deformities are the best candidates for non-invasive negative-pressure ventilation.  On the other hand, patients with rapidly progressive neuromuscular processes like Guillian-Barre syndrome are poor candidates.

Appropriate candidates for non-invasive ventilation should have adequate upper airway function and no excessive airway secretions.  Non-invasive ventilation is not indicated in diseases that affect the upper airways, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  Reversible underlying disorders that may be contributing to the patient's symptoms (e.g., hypothyroidism, congestive heart failure, etc.) should be adequately treated.  In general, non-invasive ventilation should not be used in patients who are unable to cooperate or who have impaired consciousness, problems with retained secretions, or hemodynamic instability.

Appendix

Selection Criteria for Non-invasive Negative Pressure Ventilation:

Aetna considers non-invasive negative pressure ventilation medically necessary DME for members who meet the following criteria:

  1. Member has been diagnosed with any of the following conditions: 

    1. Central hypoventilation (i.e., apnea not due to airway obstruction); or
    2. Chest wall deformity (e.g., post-thoracoplasty for tuberculosis, etc.), or 
    3. Slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophies, poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord diseases, diaphragmatic paralysis, etc.), and

  2. Member has chronic stable or slowly progressive respiratory failure that meets any of the following criteria:  

    1. Significant CO2 retention (PaCO2 greater than 50 mm Hg); or  
    2. Mild CO2 retention (PaCO2 greater than 45 mm Hg) with any of the following symptoms:  

      1. Cognitive dysfunction; or
      2. Daytime hypersomnolence, or
      3. Morning headache, or  

    3. Documented nocturnal hypoventilation or oxygen desaturation (with oxyhemoglobin saturation less than 88 % for at least 5 minutes).
 
CPT Codes / HCPCS Codes / ICD-9 Codes
CPT codes covered if selection criteria are met:
94662
Other CPT codes related to the CPB:
82800
82803
82805
82810
82820
HCPCS codes covered if selection criteria are met:
E0457 Chest shell (cuirass)
E0459 Chest wrap
E0460 Negative pressure ventilator; portable or stationary
ICD-9 codes covered if selection criteria are met:
518.83 Chronic respiratory failure
Other ICD-9 codes related to the CPB:
010.00 - 018.96 Tuberculosis
045.0 - 045.9 Acute poliomyelitis
138 Late effects of acute poliomyelitis
294.9 Unspecified persistent mental disorders due to conditions classified elsewhere
335.21 Progressive muscular atrophy
336.0 - 336.9 Other disease of spinal cord
340 Multiple sclerosis
341.8 Other demyelinating diseases of central nervous system
348.8 Other conditions of brain
356.0 - 356.9 Hereditary and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy
357.0 - 357.9 Inflammatory and toxic neuropathy
358.00 - 358.9 Myoneural disorders
359.0 - 359.9 Muscular dystrophies and other myopathies
518.5 Pulmonary insufficiency following trauma and surgery
518.81 Acute respiratory failure
518.84 Acute and chronic respiratory failure
519.4 Disorders of diaphragm
733.90 Disorder of bone and cartillage, unspecified
738.3 Acquired deformity of chest and rib
742.9 Unspecified anomaly of brain, spinal cord, and nervous system
754.89 Other specified nonteratogenic anomalies
770.81 Primary apnea of newborn
770.84 Respiratory failure in newborn
771.2 Other congenital infections
780.09 Other alterations of consciousness
780.54 Hypersomnia, unspecified
784.0 Headache
786.03 Apnea
786.09 Other dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities
V46.11 Dependence on respirator, status


The above policy is based on the following references:
  1. Hillberg RE, Johnson DC. Current concepts: Noninvasive ventilation. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(24):1746-1752.
  2. Hill NS. Use of negative pressure ventilation, rocking beds, and pneumobelts. Respir Care. 1994;39(5):532-549.
  3. Gilmartin ME. Body ventilators. Equipment and techniques. Respir Care Clin N Am. 1996;2(2):195-222.
  4. Bonekat HW. Noninvasive ventilation in neuromuscular disease. Crit Care Clin. 1998;14(4):775-797.
  5. Hill NS. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation. In: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. 1998 ed. RC Bone, DR Dantzker, RB George, et al., eds. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.; 1998: R41-1 - R41-22.
  6. Curran FJ. Night ventilation by body respirators for patients in chronic respiratory failure due to late stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Arch Phys Med Rehab. 1981;62:270-274.
  7. Garay SM, Turino GM, Goldring RM. Sustained reversal of chronic hypercapnia in patients with alveolar hypoventilation syndromes: Long-term maintenance with noninvasive nocturnal mechanical ventilation. Am J Med. 1981;70:269-274.
  8. Shapiro SH, Ernst P, Gray-Donald K, et al. Effect of negative pressure ventilation in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lancet. 1992;340:1425-1429.
  9. Ferguson G. Noninvasive ventilation. National Jewish Medical and Research Center Medical/Scientific Update. 1993;11(3):1-3.
  10. Owens MW, Wissing DR, Milligan SA, et al. Respiratory care modalities. In: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. 1998 Ed. RC Bone, DR Dantzker, RB George, et al., eds. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Yearbook, Inc.; 1998: D5-1 - D5-20.
  11. Robert D, Willig TN, Paulus J, et al. Long-term nasal ventilation in neuromuscular disorders: Report of a consensus conference. Eur Respir J. 1993;6:599-606.
  12. National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC). Clinical indications for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in chronic respiratory failure due to restrictive lung disease, COPD, and nocturnal hypoventilation -- A consensus conference report. Chest. 1999;116(2):521-534.
  13. Corrado A, Gorini M. Negative-pressure ventilation: Is there still a role? Eur Respir J. 2002;20(1):187-197.
  14. Shneerson JM, Simonds AK. Noninvasive ventilation for chest wall and neuromuscular disorders. Eur Respir J. 2002;20(2):480-487.
  15. Corrado A, Gorini M. Long-term negative pressure ventilation. Respir Care Clin N Am. 2002;8(4):545-557, v-vi.
  16. Shah PS, Ohlsson A, Shah JP. Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure or continuous positive airway pressure for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD003699.
  17. Chen ML, Keens TG. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: Not just another rare disorder. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2004;5(3):182-189.
  18. Palmetto Government Benefits Administrators (GBA), Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier. Backup equipment. DMERC Medicare Advisory. Issue 42. Columbia, SC: Palmetto GBA; Autumn 2002:84-85.
  19. Ottonello G, Ferrari I, Pirroddi IM, et al. Home mechanical ventilation in children: Retrospective survey of a pediatric population. Pediatr Int. 2007;49(6):801-805.
  20. Annane D, Orlikowski D, Chevret S, et al. Nocturnal mechanical ventilation for chronic hypoventilation in patients with neuromuscular and chest wall disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD001941.
  21. Shah PS, Ohlsson A, Shah JP. Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure or continuous positive airway pressure for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD003699.
  22. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bethesda, MD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD); 2010.
  23. Hull J, Aniapravan R, Chan E, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for respiratory management of children with neuromuscular weakness. Thorax 2012;67(Suppl 1):i1-i40.


email this page   


Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.
Aetna
Back to top