Number: 018
(Revised)
Subject: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Reviewed: October 20, 2016
Important note
This Clinical Policy Bulletin expresses Aetna's determination of whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary, experimental and investigational, or cosmetic. Aetna has reached these conclusions based upon a review of currently available clinical information (including clinical outcome studies in the peer-reviewed published medical literature, regulatory status of the technology, evidence-based guidelines of public health and health research agencies, evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations, views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas, and other relevant factors).
Aetna makes no representations and accepts no liability with respect to the content of any external information cited or relied upon in this Bulletin. The discussion, analysis, conclusions and positions reflected in this Bulletin, including any reference to a specific provider, product, process or service by name, trademark, manufacturer, constitute Aetna’s opinion and are made without any intent to defame.
Aetna expressly reserves the right to revise these conclusions as clinical information changes, and welcomes further relevant information including correction of any factual error. CPBs include references to standard HIPAA compliant code sets to assist with search functions and to facilitate billing and payment for covered services. New and revised codes are added to the CPBs as they are updated. When billing, you must use the most appropriate code as of the effective date of the submission. Unlisted, unspecified and nonspecific codes should be avoided.
Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply.
The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (for example, will be paid for by Aetna) for a particular member. The member's benefit plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary. If there is a discrepancy between this policy and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern. In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a State, the Federal government or CMS for Medicare and Medicaid members. CMS's Coverage Database can be found on the following website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/coverage.asp.
Medical Clinical Policy Bulletin 0004
The Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults medical policy bulletin was revised on March 29, 2016. This CPB is revised to state that PAP with pressure relief technology (eg, A-Flex, Bi-Flex, C-Flex, C-Flex +) is considered medically necessary DME when criteria are met. This CPB has been revised to state that: (a) the Silent Partner OSA appliance is considered equally effective to standard oral appliances; (b) oral appliances for snoring (e.g., Snore Guard) are considered not medically necessary treatment of disease, as snoring is not considered a disease; and (c) the following are considered experimental and investigational: (i) genetic association studies (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA) 308 A/G polymorphism, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism) for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea; (ii) epiglottidectomy/partial epiglottidectomy for the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea.; and (iii) oral appliances and UPPP for treatment of upper airway resistance syndrome. Indications for obstructive sleep apnea testing are added to the appendix.
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.
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