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    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesPharmacy & Specialty DrugsAmeriHealth VIP Skyrizi IV Coverage | OpenPayer
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    ModifiedAmeriHealth Caritas VIP CarePolicy MA08.153c

    Risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for Intravenous Use

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    This policy governs medical-benefit coverage and medical necessity requirements for intravenous risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. It applies to Medicare Advantage members when applicable Evidence of Coverage terms, clinical criteria, and dosing requirements are met; pharmacy-benefit Part D coverage is not addressed.

    Policy Summary
    PayerAmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care
    PolicyRisankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for Intravenous Use
    Policy CodePolicy MA08.153c
    Change TypeModified
    Effective DateDecember 16, 2024
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionWhen the member's dose, frequency, or regimen changes, submit the changes to the Company for a new approval.
    SourceLink

    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.

    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    The policy was updated effective December 16, 2024 to communicate coverage criteria for intravenous risankizumab-rzaa for ulcerative colitis.

    ICD-10-CM code K50.00 for Crohn's disease of small intestine without complications was added effective September 16, 2024.

    HCPCS code J2327 for intravenous risankizumab-rzaa was added effective January 1, 2023.

    HCPCS code C9399 for unclassified drugs or biologicals was removed effective January 1, 2023.

    2covered inflammatory bowel disease indications
    18+minimum age for covered therapy
    600 mg IVCrohn's disease induction dose
    1,200 mg IVulcerative colitis induction dose
    49ulcerative colitis diagnosis codes added

    Covered and Noncovered Uses

    Ulcerative Colitis

    Covered when ALL of the following criteria, including dosing and frequency requirements, are met:

    ALL of the following

    • The individual is 18 years of age or older.
    • ONE of the following

      • There is documentation of inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to corticosteroids, such as budesonide, prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
      • There is documentation of inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to biologic therapy, such as infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), golimumab (Simponi Aria), or vedolizumab (Entyvio).
      • There is documentation of inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
      • There is documentation of inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz) or upadacitinib (Rinvoq).
      • There is documentation of inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to S1P receptor modulators, such as ozanimod (Zeposia).
    • The treatment is prescribed by or in consultation with a gastroenterologist.
    • There is no concurrent use with any other biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists.
    • The individual has moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
    • Induction dosage is 1,200 mg administered by intravenous infusion at Week 0, Week 4, and Week 8. The recommended maintenance dosage is 180 mg or 360 mg administered by subcutaneous injection at Week 12 and every 8 weeks thereafter.

    Crohn's Disease

    Covered when ALL of the following criteria, including dosing and frequency requirements, are met:

    ALL of the following

    • The individual is 18 years of age or older.
    • ONE of the following

      • There is documentation of failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a trial of corticosteroids, such as budesonide (Entocort EC), prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
      • There is documentation of failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a trial of immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
      • There is documentation of failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a trial of biologic therapy, such as certolizumab (Cimzia), adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), ustekinumab (Stelara), or vedolizumab (Entyvio).

    Other uses

    The following use is not covered:

    All other uses of risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for intravenous use are considered experimental/investigational and are not covered unless the indication is supported as an accepted off-label use, as defined in the Company's medical policy on off-label coverage for prescription drugs and biologics.

    Subject to the applicable Evidence of Coverage, risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for intravenous use is covered under the medical benefits of the Company's Medicare Advantage products when the medical necessity criteria and dosing and frequency requirements in this policy are met.

    For Medicare Advantage members, certain drugs may be available through either the member's medical benefit (Part B benefit) or pharmacy benefit (Part D benefit), depending on how the drug is prescribed, dispensed, or administered. This policy addresses only instances in which risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for intravenous use is covered under the member's medical benefit (Part B benefit). It does not address coverage under the member's pharmacy benefit (Part D benefit).

    Induction Therapy Requirements

    Ulcerative Colitis Initial Therapy

    Ulcerative colitis induction requires all applicable criteria.

    Ulcerative colitis induction

    • Age requirement: The individual is 18 years of age or older.Age >=18 years
    • ONE of the following prior therapy categories

      • Corticosteroids, such as budesonide, prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
      • Biologic therapy, such as infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, or vedolizumab.

    Maintenance Therapy Requirements

    Maintenance Therapy

    After intravenous induction, maintenance therapy is administered subcutaneously.

    Maintenance regimen: Following intravenous induction, administer 180 mg or 360 mg by subcutaneous injection at Week 12 and every 8 weeks thereafter; use the lowest effective dosage needed to maintain therapeutic response.180 mg or 360 mg SC at Week 12 and every 8 weeks

    Required Prior Therapies

    StepRequired prior therapy categoryDocumentation requirement
    1Corticosteroids; biologic therapy; immunomodulators; JAK inhibitors; or S1P receptor modulatorsDocument inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to at least one category.
    StepRequired prior therapy categoryDocumentation requirement
    1Corticosteroids; immunomodulators; or biologic therapyDocument failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a trial of at least one category.

    Authorization and Documentation Requirements

    Prior Authorization

    New Approval Required for Regimen Changes

    Submit any change to the member’s approved dose, frequency, or regimen—including changes related to weight or incomplete therapeutic response—for a new approval before administration or billing.

    • The Company may conduct postpayment review and audit procedures for submitted claims.
    Step Therapy

    Ulcerative Colitis Prior Therapy

    For moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, document inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance to conventional (nonadvanced) and/or advanced therapy before requesting coverage.

    • Corticosteroids, such as budesonide, prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
    • Biologic therapy, such as infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, or vedolizumab.
    • Immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.

    Billing and Diagnosis Codes

    CPT Procedure Code Number(s)CPT
    N/AN/A
    ICD-10 Procedure Code Number(s)ICD-10
    N/AN/A
    ICD-10 Diagnosis Code Number(s)ICD-10
    K50.00Crohn's disease of small intestine without complications
    K50.011Crohn's disease of small intestine with rectal bleeding
    K50.012Crohn's disease of small intestine with intestinal obstruction
    K50.013Crohn's disease of small intestine with fistula
    K50.014Crohn's disease of small intestine with abscess
    K50.018Crohn's disease of small intestine with other complication
    K50.019Crohn's disease of small intestine with unspecified complications
    K50.10Crohn's disease of large intestine without complications
    K50.111Crohn's disease of large intestine with rectal bleeding
    K50.112Crohn's disease of large intestine with intestinal obstruction
    1–10 of 27
    1/3
    HCPCS Level II Code Number(s)HCPCS
    J2327Injection, risankizumab-rzaa, intravenous, 1 mg
    Revenue Code Number(s)Revenue
    N/AN/A
    HCPCS code added — effective January 1, 2023HCPCSCovered
    J2327Injection, risankizumab-rzaa, intravenous, 1 mg
    HCPCS code removed — effective January 1, 2023HCPCSNot Covered
    C9399Unclassified drugs or biologicals
    Ulcerative colitis ICD-10-CM codes added — effective December 16, 2024ICD-10Covered
    K51.00
    K51.011
    K51.012
    K51.013
    K51.014
    K51.018
    K51.019
    K51.20
    K51.211
    K51.212
    1–10 of 49
    1/5
    Crohn's disease ICD-10-CM code added — effective September 16, 2024ICD-10Covered
    K50.00Crohn's disease of small intestine without complications

    Clinical Context and Definitions

    Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum, whereas Crohn’s disease can affect the entire digestive tract and extend deeply into the intestinal wall.

    Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis
    StudyINSPIRE phase 3 induction study
    Adapted Mayo score5–9
    Endoscopic subscore2–3, based on central review
    Diagnosis confirmationBiopsy-confirmed ulcerative colitis diagnosed at least 3 months before baseline
    Moderately to severely active Crohn's disease
    Studies
    Policy Summary
    PayerAmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care
    PolicyRisankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for Intravenous Use
    Policy CodePolicy MA08.153c
    Change TypeModified
    Effective DateDecember 16, 2024
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionWhen the member's dose, frequency, or regimen changes, submit the changes to the Company for a new approval.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Covered and Noncovered UsesInduction Therapy RequirementsMaintenance Therapy RequirementsRequired Prior TherapiesAuthorization and Documentation RequirementsBilling and Diagnosis CodesClinical Context and Definitions
    The treatment is prescribed by or in consultation with a gastroenterologist.
  1. There is no concurrent use with any other biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists.
  2. The individual has moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.
  3. The dosage is 600 mg administered by intravenous infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. Maintenance doses are administered by subcutaneous injection.
  4. Immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
  5. JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib or upadacitinib.
  6. S1P receptor modulators, such as ozanimod.
  7. Concurrent therapy restriction: There is no concurrent use with any other biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists.No concurrent biologic therapy
  8. Induction dose and frequency: Administer 1,200 mg by intravenous infusion at Week 0, Week 4, and Week 8.1,200 mg IV at Weeks 0, 4, and 8
  9. Crohn's Disease Initial Therapy

    Crohn's disease induction requires all applicable criteria.

    Crohn's disease induction

    • Age requirement: The individual is 18 years of age or older.Age >=18 years
    • ONE of the following prior therapy categories

      • Corticosteroids, such as budesonide, prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
      • Immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
      • Biologic therapy, such as certolizumab, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, or vedolizumab.
    • Concurrent therapy restriction: There is no concurrent use with any other biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists.No concurrent biologic therapy
    • Induction dose and frequency: Administer 600 mg by intravenous infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8.600 mg IV at Weeks 0, 4, and 8
  10. JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib or upadacitinib.
  11. S1P receptor modulators, such as ozanimod.
  12. Step Therapy

    Crohn’s Disease Prior Therapy

    For moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, document failure, contraindication, or intolerance to a trial of at least one required prior-therapy category.

    • Corticosteroids, such as budesonide, prednisone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone.
    • Immunomodulators, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
    • Biologic therapy, such as certolizumab, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, or vedolizumab.
    Documentation Required

    Medical Necessity Records

    Maintain records that establish medical necessity and provide them to the Company upon request, regardless of the provider’s participation status.

    • Acceptable records may include professional provider office records, hospital records, nursing home records, home health agency records, therapy records, and test reports.
    • Failure to produce requested information may result in denial of the service.
    • For dosing outside the policy requirements, include published peer-reviewed literature supporting the request.
    Documentation Required

    Clinical Criteria Documentation

    The clinical record and authorization request must document every applicable coverage criterion for the diagnosed condition, including age, qualifying diagnosis and severity, prior therapy, specialist involvement, biologic use, and the requested dosing schedule.

    • Member is 18 years of age or older.
    • Diagnosis is moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
    • Required prior-therapy history is documented: inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance for ulcerative colitis; or failure, contraindication, or intolerance to at least one required category for Crohn’s disease.
    • Risankizumab-rzaa is prescribed by or in consultation with a gastroenterologist.
    • There is no concurrent use with another biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists.
    • Ulcerative colitis dosing: 1,200 mg by intravenous infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8, followed by 180 mg or 360 mg subcutaneously at Week 12 and every 8 weeks thereafter.
    • Crohn’s disease dosing: 600 mg by intravenous infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8; maintenance doses are administered subcutaneously.
    Documentation Required

    Exception Dosing Support

    When requesting coverage for risankizumab-rzaa outside the stated dosing and frequency requirements, submit published peer-reviewed literature that supports the requested amount, interval, or regimen.

    • The literature must support the specific exception dosing requested.
    • The Company may use FDA information, recognized pharmacology compendia, and published peer-reviewed clinical research when updating dosing requirements.
    Billing Rule

    Drug Billing Documentation

    If no specific HCPCS code is available for the administered drug, report the most appropriate unlisted code together with the corresponding National Drug Code (NDC).

    • Include both the applicable unlisted code and corresponding NDC documentation.
    Denial Risk

    Noncovered or Investigational Use

    Risankizumab-rzaa for intravenous use is not covered for uses outside the policy’s covered moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease indications unless the indication qualifies as an accepted off-label use under the Company’s policy for off-label coverage of prescription drugs and biologics.

    • Other uses are considered experimental/investigational and therefore not covered absent applicable accepted off-label coverage.
    Denial Risk

    Failure to Meet Clinical Criteria

    Coverage may be denied when the request does not satisfy the clinical criteria for age, diagnosis and severity, required prior therapy, gastroenterologist involvement, concurrent biologic restrictions, or approved dosing and frequency.

    • The member must be 18 years of age or older and have moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
    • Required prior-therapy failure, inadequate response, contraindication, or intolerance must be documented for the applicable condition.
    • The drug must be prescribed by or in consultation with a gastroenterologist.
    • Concurrent use with another biologic therapy, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists, is not permitted.
    • The requested dose and frequency must match the applicable policy requirements unless an exception is supported as required.
    Denial Risk

    Insufficient Supporting Documentation

    A request may be denied when the medical records, requested supporting information, or published literature needed to evaluate medical necessity and exception dosing are not provided.

    • All documentation must be available to the Company upon request, including records from provider offices, facilities, agencies, therapies, and test reports.
    • Requests outside the stated dosing and frequency requirements require published peer-reviewed literature supporting the requested dosing.
    • The Company may review and audit services and claims, including services provided by nonparticipating providers.
    ADVANCE and MOTIVATE phase 3 induction studies
    Crohn's Disease Activity Index220–450
    Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's diseaseAt least 6, or at least 4 for isolated ileal disease
    Clinical remission in Crohn's disease
    Clinical measureCrohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI)
    Remission thresholdCDAI below 150
    Study contextDefinition used in the ADVANCE and MOTIVATE studies