CurrentBlue Cross Blue Shield - IowaPolicy 05.02.05

Spinraza Medical Necessity Criteria

Defines clinical criteria, required documentation, prescriber qualifications, dosing, coverage and investigational exclusions for Spinraza (nusinersen) for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Iowa members.

Policy Summary

PayerBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa

PolicySpinraza Medical Necessity Criteria

Policy CodePolicy 05.02.05

Change TypeReviewed (no material clinical changes)

Effective DateMar 19, 2021

Next Review Date

Key ActionSubmit genetic testing confirming SMN1 deletion/mutation and baseline assessment records (HINE-2, HFMSE, or CHOP-INTEND) to initiate prior authorization. For continuation, submit most recent assessment within 90 days and respiratory status documentation.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

Reviewed June 2025 with policy content retained (no explicit clinical policy change noted).

3Covered SMA types

2Investigational SMA types/exclusions (0 and 4)

6m / 12mApproval durations (initial/continuation)

Coverage Summary

Scope: This policy defines clinical criteria, required documentation, prescriber qualifications, dosing, coverage decisions, and investigational exclusions for Spinraza (nusinersen) for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) for Wellmark members. Coverage stance: mixed — the policy aligns coverage to FDA-approved indications and compendial/clinical-trial evidence and includes both medically necessary criteria and investigational exclusions. FDA indication note: Spinraza is an intrathecal antisense oligonucleotide that increases functional SMN protein and is indicated for the treatment of SMA in pediatric and adult patients. Required documentation and prerequisites: genetic confirmation of deletion or mutation at the SMN1 allele and baseline motor-function assessment using at least one of HINE-2, HFMSE, or CHOP-INTEND to initiate prior authorization.

Initial Therapy Criteria (Medical Necessity)

Criteria for Initial Approval (Medically Necessary)

Covered when ALL of the following are met:

ALL of the following

Diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) confirmed by genetic testing showing deletion or mutation at the SMN1 allele (e.g., homozygous deletion of exon 7 at locus 5q13 or compound heterozygous mutation)
Member has type 1, type 2, or type 3 SMA
Diagnosis was made at or before 18 years of age
Either:
- Member has not previously received gene replacement therapy for SMA (e.g., onasemnogene abeparvovec)
- Member previously received gene replacement therapy for SMA and has experienced clinical decline demonstrating loss of efficacy as documented by decline from highest achieved score on an age-appropriate motor assessment (see thresholds)
Assessment decline thresholds (for members with prior gene therapy)
- HINE-2: decline of at least 2 points on kicking and 1 point on any other milestone (excluding voluntary grasp)
- HFMSE: decline of at least 3 points
- CHOP-INTEND: decline of at least 4 points
Member is not dependent on invasive ventilation or tracheostomy
Member is not dependent on non-invasive ventilation beyond use for naps and nighttime sleep
Member will not use Spinraza (nusinersen) concomitantly with Evrysdi (risdiplam)

Prior Authorization

Prior authorization submission requirements

Submit genetic testing confirming SMN1 deletion/mutation and baseline motor assessments with the prior authorization. Include documentation of respiratory status and any history of gene replacement therapy when applicable.

Affected HCPCS code: J2326
Examples of assessment tools: HINE-2, HFMSE, CHOP-INTEND

Continuation Therapy Criteria

Continuation of Therapy (Medically Necessary)

Continuation requires meeting initial criteria AND demonstration of clinical benefit within prior 90 days (except noted) as specified:

ALL of the following

Respiratory documentation: Submission of medical records (within 90 days prior to continuation request) documenting respiratory status and need for respiratory support
Assessment submission: Submission of most recent assessment by at least one of the following within 90 days: HINE-2, HFMSE, or CHOP-INTEND
Evidence of clinical response
- HINE-2 response criteria (one of)
  - HINE-2 - improvement with kicking: Improvement or maintenance of previous improvement of at least 1 point (or maximal score increase in any other HINE-2 milestone excluding voluntary grasp) AND improvement/maintenance of at least a 2 point increase in ability to kickHINE-2 improvement: ≥1 point overall and ≥2 points kicking
  - HINE-2 - new milestones: Achieved and maintained any new motor milestones when they would otherwise be unexpected (e.g., sit or stand unassisted, walk)
  - HINE-2 - net positive: Improvement or maintenance of previous improvement in more HINE-2 motor milestones than worsening (net positive improvement)
- HFMSE response criteria (one of)
  - HFMSE - point increase: Improvement or maintenance of previous improvement of at least a 3 point increase in scoreIncrease ≥3 points
  - HFMSE - new milestone: Achieved and maintained any new motor milestone from pretreatment baseline when otherwise unexpected
- CHOP-INTEND response criteria (one of)
  - CHOP-INTEND - point increase: Improvement or maintenance of previous improvement of at least a 4 point increase in scoreIncrease ≥4 points
  - CHOP-INTEND - new milestone: Achieved and maintained any new motor milestone from pretreatment baseline when otherwise unexpected
- Post-gene therapy clause: For members prescribed Spinraza due to clinical worsening after gene replacement therapy: documentation of stabilization or improvement in clinical status with Spinraza (e.g., impact on motor milestones)
Maintenance dosing limit: If member has already received a loading dose, maintenance dose will not exceed 12 mg (5 mL) every 4 monthsMaintenance dose ≤12 mg every 4 months
FDA recommends maintenance dosing once every 4 months

Documentation Required

Prescriber specialty requirement

The medication must be prescribed by or in consultation with a neurologist or a neuromuscular specialist experienced in treating spinal muscular atrophy. Expect involvement or consultation documentation from the specialist on the request.

Billing Rule

Dosing and maintenance limits

Follow the FDA dosing schedule: if a loading dose has not been given, administer loading doses on days 0, 14, 28, and 58; maintenance dosing should not exceed 12 mg (5 mL) every 4 months.

J2326

Investigational / Not Medically Necessary

Spinraza is considered investigational for the following uses (not covered):

Investigational exclusions

Type 0: Use in patients with type 0 SMA
Type 4: Use in patients with type 4 SMA
Permanent/invasive ventilation: Use in patients with type 1, type 2, and type 3 SMA who require permanent/invasive ventilationPermanent ventilation defined as tracheostomy or ≥16 hours of ventilator support per day continuously for ≥2 weeks in absence of an acute reversible illness
Concomitant gene therapy: Concomitant use of Spinraza and gene therapy (e.g., Zolgensma)
Concomitant Evrysdi: Concomitant use of Spinraza and Evrysdi (risdiplam)

Denial Risk

Investigational exclusions

Claims for Spinraza in the listed investigational scenarios are considered investigational and may be denied.

Type 0 SMA
Type 4 SMA
Patients requiring permanent/invasive ventilation
Concomitant use with gene therapy (e.g., Zolgensma)
Concomitant use with Evrysdi (risdiplam)
J2326

Provider Actions & Operational Steps

Prior Authorization

Prior authorization submission requirements

To initiate prior authorization review, submit genetic confirmation of SMN1 deletion/mutation plus baseline motor assessments (HINE-2, HFMSE, or CHOP-INTEND). For continuation, submit the most recent assessment within 90 days and documentation of respiratory status as requested.

J2326
HINE-2
HFMSE
CHOP-INTEND

Documentation Required

Prescriber specialty requirement

Prescriptions must be by or in consultation with a neurologist or neuromuscular specialist experienced in SMA; include consultation/prescriber expertise documentation with the request.

Billing Rule

Dosing and maintenance limits

If no prior loading doses were given, administer loading doses at 12 mg (5 mL) on days 0, 14, 28, and 58. Ongoing maintenance dosing must not exceed 12 mg (5 mL) every 4 months per FDA labeling.

Loading: 12 mg (5 mL) on days 0, 14, 28, and 58
Maintenance: 12 mg (5 mL) every 4 months
J2326

Denial Risk

Investigational exclusions — potential denial

The policy considers the following uses investigational and subject to denial if billed: Spinraza for SMA types 0 or 4, for patients requiring permanent/invasive ventilation, or when used concomitantly with gene therapy or Evrysdi.

Use in patients with type 0 SMA
Use in patients with type 4 SMA
Use in patients with type 1–3 SMA who require permanent/invasive ventilation
Concomitant use with gene replacement therapy (e.g., Zolgensma)
Concomitant use with Evrysdi (risdiplam)

Clinical Evidence

Evidence highlights: ENDEAR (infantile-onset RCT) demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in motor milestones, event-free survival, and overall survival versus sham; the responder rate achieving motor milestones was 51% vs 0%. CHERISH (later-onset RCT) showed meaningful improvement in HFMSE with a between-group difference of 5.9 points favoring nusinersen and a higher proportion with >3 point improvement: 57% vs 26%.

51% vs 0%ENDEAR responder rate (motor milestone responders): 51% nusinersen vs 0% sham

5.9 ptsCHERISH HFMSE mean difference: 5.9 points favoring nusinersen (p<0.001)

57% vs 26%CHERISH proportion with >3-point HFMSE improvement: 57% nusinersen vs 26% sham

Background & Definitions

Background: Spinraza (nusinersen) is an intrathecally administered antisense oligonucleotide that increases the amount of functional survival motor neuron (SMN) protein which is deficient in SMA. FDA indication: Spinraza is indicated for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric and adult patients. The policy aligns coverage to FDA-approved indications and compendial evidence. Prior authorization requires documented genetic confirmation of SMN1 deletion or mutation and baseline motor assessments using at least one of HINE-2, HFMSE, or CHOP-INTEND.

Definitions: Permanent ventilation is defined as tracheostomy or ≥16 hours of ventilator support per day continuously for at least 2 weeks in the absence of an acute reversible illness.