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Infertility Services | |
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Description: |
This policy addresses Infertility Diagnostic Testing, Intrauterine Insemination and Assisted Reproductive Technology also referred to as In-Vitro Fertilization.
Related Policies:
2005021- Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Testing or Treatment
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Policy/ Coverage: |
Effective February 2024
Coverage eligibility of Assisted Reproductive Technology AND Infertility services is a contract-specific benefit issue. Furthermore, this policy only applies to services performed on the covered member. No infertility related services are eligible for benefits when: (1) the Covered Person or the Covered Person’s Spouse has undergone a voluntary sterilization at any point in their medical history, (2) the infertility is the result of natural age-related hormone reduction (i.e., postmenopausal or 45 years of age or older), (3) when a surrogate is used or (4) when the covered person has had three live births by any means.
Where benefits are available, coverage is allowed for in vitro fertilization provided by an In-Network Provider. Coverage for in vitro fertilization is limited to up to four completed oocyte retrievals per lifetime of the member or two live births from separate pregnancies as a result of the in vitro fertilization. After a first live birth is achieved as a result of a successful in vitro fertilization cycle, up to two additional completed oocyte retrievals may be covered.
Note: All viable embryos, fresh or frozen, must be used before undergoing an additional oocyte retrieval.
For the purposes of this policy, the definition of Infertility is as follows:
A covered person and his or her spouse are unable to conceive after at least one (1) year of regular unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse, when the wife is less than 36 year of age, or at least six (6) months of regular unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse when the wife is 36 years of age or older; or a covered person has a medically documented inability to conceive due to at least one of the following:
*The Infertility Services addressed in this policy are divided into three separate sections: Infertility Diagnostic Testing, Artificial Insemination and Assisted Reproductive Technology (In-Vitro Fertilization)
I. INFERTILITY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
The following diagnostic testing for infertility meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when:
Diagnostic Testing:
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Diagnostic testing for infertility does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when any of the following apply:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, diagnostic testing for infertility is considered not medically necessary when any of the following apply:
The following diagnostic testing for infertility does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness in improving health outcomes and are therefore, not eligible for benefits:
For members with contracts without member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria, the following diagnostic testing for infertility is considered investigational. Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.
II. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Up to 6 cycles* of intrauterine or intracervical insemination meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the member or member’s spouse has a medically documented inability to conceive due to at least one of the following:
NOTE: Contraindications include active cervical, uterine, or pelvic infection; absence of uterus; bilateral fallopian tube obstruction or absence; bilateral absence of ovaries; or other known causes of complete anovulation.
If conception does not occur after the initial 6 cycles* of intrauterine or intracervical insemination, up to 6 additional cycles may be eligible for benefits.
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Not Medically Necessary For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Intrauterine or intracervical insemination for indications other than those listed above as covered does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness, including, but not limited to, the following:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, intrauterine or intracervical insemination for indications other than those listed above as covered is considered not medically necessary:
III. ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION)
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria and is covered provided other less invasive therapies, where appropriate, have failed (e.g., intrauterine insemination):
*Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Testing and Treatment is addressed in policy #2005021
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Not Medically Necessary For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when either the member or the member’s spouse has:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) is considered not medically necessary when either the member or the member’s spouse has:
The following Assisted Reproductive Technology techniques do not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria of effectiveness or are considered not medically necessary for members with contracts without primary coverage criteria:
Effective July 2021 through January 2024
Coverage eligibility of Assisted Reproductive Technology AND Infertility services is a contract-specific benefit issue. Furthermore, this policy only applies to services performed on the covered member. No infertility related services are eligible for benefits when: (1) the Covered Person or the Covered Person’s Spouse has undergone a voluntary sterilization at any point in their medical history, (2) the infertility is the result of natural age-related hormone reduction (i.e., postmenopausal or 45 years of age or older), (3) when a surrogate is used or (4) when the covered person has had three live births by any means.
Where benefits are available, coverage is allowed for in vitro fertilization provided by an In-Network Provider. Coverage for in vitro fertilization is limited to up to four completed oocyte retrievals per lifetime of the member or two live births from separate pregnancies as a result of the in vitro fertilization. After a first live birth is achieved as a result of a successful in vitro fertilization cycle, up to two additional completed oocyte retrievals may be covered.
Note: All viable embryos, fresh or frozen, must be used before undergoing an additional oocyte retrieval.
For the purposes of this policy, the definition of Infertility is as follows:
A covered person and his or her spouse are unable to conceive after at least one (1) year of regular unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse, when the wife is less than 36 year of age, OR at least six (6) months of regular unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse when the wife is 36 years of age or older; OR a covered person has a medically documented inability to conceive due to at least one of the following:
1. Stage 4 surgically treated endometriosis;
2. Exposure in utero to diethylstilbestrol, commonly known as DES;
3. Blockage or removal of one or both fallopian tubes, not as a result of voluntary sterilization
4. Untreatable, abnormal male factors contributing to infertility, not as a result of voluntary sterilization (untreatable retrograde ejaculation, untreatable penectomy, refractory erectile dysfunction);
5. Cervical factor infertility;
6. Vaginismus preventing intercourse;
7. Anovulatory females who have failed to conceive after a 6 month trial of ovulation induction with timed intercourse under the supervision and monitoring of a physician; or
8. Absence or abnormality of uterus that precludes conception with evidence of intact ovarian function
*The Infertility Services addressed in this policy are divided into three separate sections: Infertility Diagnostic Testing, Artificial Insemination and Assisted Reproductive Technology (In-Vitro Fertilization)
I. INFERTILITY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
The following diagnostic testing for infertility meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when:
OR
Diagnostic Testing:
1. Verification of ovulation
2. Ovarian reserve testing
3. Transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries.
4. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) or saline infusion sonography (SIS) for the evaluation of fallopian tube and uterine cavity in women who are not known to have comorbidities such as pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic pregnancy or endometriosis.
5. Laparoscopy in women who are thought to have comorbidities to assess tubal and other pelvic pathology.
6. Endometrial biopsy, only in women with suspected uterine pathology such as hyperplasia.
7. Semen analysis- should include analysis performed on two separate occasions, with each specimen obtained after 2-5 days of abstinence.
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Diagnostic testing for infertility does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when any of the following apply:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, diagnostic testing for infertility is considered not medically necessary when any of the following apply:
The following diagnostic testing for infertility does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness in improving health outcomes and are therefore, not eligible for benefits:
For members with contracts without member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria, the following diagnostic testing for infertility is considered investigational. Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.
II. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Up to 6 cycles* of intrauterine or intracervical insemination meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the member or member’s spouse has a medically documented inability to conceive due to at least one of the following:
NOTE: Contraindications include: active cervical, uterine or pelvic infection; absence of uterus; bilateral fallopian tube obstruction or absence; bilateral absence of ovaries; or other known causes of complete anovulation.
If conception does not occur after the initial 6 cycles* of intrauterine or intracervical insemination, up to 6 additional cycles may be eligible for benefits.
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Not Medically Necessary For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Intrauterine or intracervical insemination for indications other than those listed above as covered does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness, including, but not limited to, the following:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, intrauterine or intracervical insemination for indications other than those listed above as covered is considered not medically necessary:
III. ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION)
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Covered For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria and is covered provided other less invasive therapies, where appropriate, have failed (e.g., intrauterine insemination):
A. When the member and the member’s spouse have a history of unexplained infertility of at least two years duration;
OR
B. The member or the member’s spouse has infertility associated with one or more of the following medical conditions:
AND
The in vitro fertilization procedures are performed by a physician who is board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. NOTE: Related procedures (e.g., lab tests, ultrasounds) may be performed by a provider in consultation with the board certified or the IVF experienced physician.
*Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Testing and Treatment is addressed in policy #2005021
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Not Medically Necessary For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when either the member or the member’s spouse has:
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria Assisted Reproductive Technology (In Vitro Fertilization) is considered not medically necessary when either the member or the member’s spouse has:
The following Assisted Reproductive Technology techniques do not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria of effectiveness or are considered not medically necessary for members with contracts without primary coverage criteria:
Due to the detail of this policy, the document containing the coverage statements for dates prior to July 2021 is not online. If you would like a hardcopy print, please email: codespecificinquiry@arkbluecross.com
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CPT/HCPCS: | |
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References: |
Farquhar C, Rishworth JR, Brown J, et al.(2013) Assisted reproductive technology: an
overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD010537. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD010537.pub2. Macer ML and Taylor HS.(2012) Endometriosis and Infertility: A review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2012 December; 39(4): 535–549. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.(2013) Fertility. Assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems. February 2013. NICE clinical guideline 156. The optimal evaluation of the infertile male: AUA best practice statement reviewed and validity confirmed 2011. American Urological Association. Accessed at https://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/male-infertility-d.cfm. Last accessed May 21, 2015. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.(2012) Diagnostic evaluation of the infertile female: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. Vol. 98, No. 2, August 2012. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.(2012) Diagnostic evaluation of the infertile male: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. Vol. 98, No. 2, August 2012. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.(2012) Endometriosis and infertility: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 98, No. 3, September 2012. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.(2013) Definitions of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. Vol. 99, No. 1, January 2013. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.(2013) The clinical utility of sperm DNA integrity testing: a guideline. Fertil Steril 2013;99:673-7. Tournaye, H.(2012) Male factor infertility and ART. Asian Journal of Andrology (2012) 14, 103-108. Wright VC, Chang J, Jeng G, Macaluso M.(2005) Assisted reproductive technology surveillance—United States, 2005. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2008;57:1–23. |
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Group specific policy will supersede this policy when applicable. This policy does not apply to the Wal-Mart Associates Group Health Plan participants or to the Tyson Group Health Plan participants.
CPT Codes Copyright © 2024 American Medical Association. |