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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesPharmacy & Specialty DrugsAHCA Brineura Prior Auth Coverage | OpenPayer
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    CurrentAgency for Health Care AdministrationPolicy N/A

    Brineura (cerliponase alfa) Prior Authorization Criteria

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    This policy establishes prior authorization criteria for Brineura for patients with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2/TPP1 deficiency), including initial and continuation therapy requirements.

    Policy Summary
    PayerAgency for Health Care Administration
    PolicyBrineura (cerliponase alfa) Prior Authorization Criteria
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeNo material clinical or coverage changes
    Effective DateN/A
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionSubmit prior authorization documentation confirming CLN2 diagnosis, baseline Motor domain assessment, and specialist prescribing.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

    1 yearAuthorization length
    ≥ 3 yearsMinimum patient age
    4 levelsMotor rating levels
    150 mg/5 mLSolution presentation

    OpenPayer is powered by Trek Health's payer performance platform. Trek continuously ingests, validates, and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data alongside payer policies and other commercial payer data to create a structured payer intelligence foundation. OpenPayer uses this foundation to deliver personalized search results, dynamically generated policy pages, and tailored policy monitoring based on each user's payers, specialties, billing codes, and areas of interest. The same intelligence powers broader payer performance workflows, including reimbursement benchmarking, contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and financial decision-making.

    Coverage Criteria

    Initial Therapy Criteria

    Initial therapy is covered when ALL of the following are met.

    Initial therapy

    • Eligibility and diagnosis

      • Age: Patient is at least 3 years of age.≥ 3 years
      • Confirmed CLN2 diagnosis

        • Enzyme testing: Official laboratory testing demonstrates deficient TPP1 enzyme activity in leukocytes, fibroblasts, or dried blood spots.
        • Genetic testing identifies causative mutations of the TPP1/CLN2 gene.
    • Baseline assessment: A baseline Motor domain CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale score is documented and the assessment tool is provided.
    • Specialist prescribing: The drug is prescribed by, or in consultation with, a neurologist or physician specializing in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis diseases.

    Continuation Therapy Criteria

    Continuation therapy is covered when ALL of the following are met.

    Continuation therapy

    • Clinical response: Documentation shows improved clinical response with no signs of disease progression.
    • Motor score stability: The patient has not demonstrated a decline in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale; current results or score must be documented.
    • Adverse-effect tolerance: The patient has not experienced treatment-restricting adverse effects.
    • Appropriate dosing: Dosing is appropriate according to product labeling or is supported by compendia.

    Clinical Rating Scale

    CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale Motor domain
    Score 3Walks normally
    Score 2Frequent falls; clumsiness evident
    Score 1No unaided walking or only crawling
    Score 0Immobile, mostly bedridden

    Authorization and Documentation Requirements

    Prior Authorization

    Initial Authorization Requirements

    Initial authorization requires documentation that the patient is at least 3 years of age and meets the clinical criteria for BRINEURA therapy. An authorization may be issued for 1 year, and the medication must be prescribed by or in consultation with a neurologist or physician specializing in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis diseases.

    • Patient must be ≥ 3 years of age.
    • Prescriber or consultant must be a neurologist or physician specializing in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) diseases.
    • Length of authorization: 1 year.
    Prior Authorization

    Continuation Authorization

    Continuation authorization requires documentation of an improved clinical response without signs of disease progression, together with continued eligibility for treatment. The patient must not have declined in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale and must remain free of treatment-restricting adverse effects with appropriate dosing.

    • Improved clinical response with no signs of disease progression.
    • No decline in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale.
    • No treatment-restricting adverse effects.
    • Dosing is consistent with labeling or supported by compendia.
    Documentation Required

    Diagnostic Confirmation Required

    Submit documentation confirming a diagnosis of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), also known as tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) deficiency. Confirmation must include deficient TPP1 enzyme activity demonstrated by an official laboratory in leukocytes, fibroblasts, or dried blood spots, or genetic testing identifying causative TPP1/CLN2 gene mutations.

    • Accepted enzyme-activity specimens: leukocytes, fibroblasts, or dried blood spots.
    • Alternatively, provide genetic testing results identifying causative mutations of the TPP1/CLN2 gene.
    Documentation Required

    Baseline Motor Assessment

    Provide the baseline Motor domain score from a CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale before initial treatment. The submitted results must include the assessment tool used.

    • Score 3: Walks normally.
    • Score 2: Frequent falls; clumsiness evident.
    • Score 1: No unaided walking or only crawling.
    • Score 0: Immobile; mostly bedridden.
    Documentation Required

    Continuation Response Documentation

    For continuation therapy, submit documentation of improved clinical response and no signs of disease progression, including current results for the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale. The current score must demonstrate that the patient has not declined from the documented baseline.

    • Provide current Motor domain assessment results and score.
    • Document improved clinical response and absence of disease progression.
    • Document no decline in the Motor domain score.
    Denial Risk

    Safety and Dosing Documentation

    Continuation requests must document that treatment can proceed safely and is being administered appropriately. Authorization may be restricted when adverse effects prevent treatment or when dosing is not consistent with labeling or supported by compendia.

    • No treatment-restricting adverse effects.
    • Dosing is appropriate according to product labeling or supported by compendia.

    Brineura and CLN2 Disease

    Brineura (cerliponase alfa) is an enzyme replacement therapy for late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with deficient tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) activity. The policy uses the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale Motor domain to document baseline motor function and assess ongoing clinical response or disease progression.

    Key Terms

    CLN2
    DefinitionLate infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2
    Also known asTripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) deficiency
    Diagnostic confirmationConfirmed by official laboratory testing demonstrating deficient TPP1 enzyme activity in leukocytes, fibroblasts, or dried blood spots, or by genetic testing identifying causative TPP1/CLN2 gene mutations
    CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale Motor domain
    AssessmentFunctional motor assessment using the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale
    Score rangeScores range from 3 to 0
    Highest scoreScore 3 indicates the patient walks normally
    Lowest scoreScore 0 indicates the patient is immobile and mostly bedridden
    TPP1
    Full nameTripeptidyl peptidase 1
    Relationship to CLN2TPP1 is the enzyme deficient in CLN2 disease
    Diagnostic relevanceDeficient TPP1 enzyme activity confirms CLN2, also known as TPP1 deficiency

    Brineura Initial Therapy

    Brineura Initial Criteria

    Initial therapy requires ALL of the following.

    Initial requirements

    • Age: Patient is at least 3 years of age.≥ 3 years
    • Confirmed CLN2/TPP1 deficiency

      • Enzyme testing: Official laboratory testing demonstrates deficient TPP1 enzyme activity in leukocytes, fibroblasts, or dried blood spots.
      • Genetic testing identifies causative mutations of the TPP1/CLN2 gene.
    • Baseline motor assessment: A baseline Motor domain CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale score is documented, and the assessment tool is provided.
    • Specialist prescribing: Treatment is prescribed by, or provided in consultation with, a neurologist or physician specializing in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis diseases.

    Brineura Continuation Therapy

    Brineura Continuation Criteria

    Continuation therapy requires ALL of the following.

    Continuation requirements

    • Clinical response: Documentation shows improved clinical response with no signs of disease progression.
    • Motor score stability: The patient has not demonstrated a decline in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale; current results or score must be provided.
    • Adverse-effect tolerance: The patient has not experienced treatment-restricting adverse effects.
    • Appropriate dosing: Dosing is appropriate according to product labeling or is supported by compendia.
    Policy Summary
    PayerAgency for Health Care Administration
    PolicyBrineura (cerliponase alfa) Prior Authorization Criteria
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeNo material clinical or coverage changes
    Effective DateN/A
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionSubmit prior authorization documentation confirming CLN2 diagnosis, baseline Motor domain assessment, and specialist prescribing.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Coverage CriteriaClinical Rating ScaleAuthorization and Documentation RequirementsBrineura and CLN2 DiseaseKey TermsBrineura Initial TherapyBrineura Continuation Therapy