Glaucoma Agents iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant)
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This policy governs MassHealth prior authorization and continuation or recertification of iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant) through the medical benefit. It applies to members receiving treatment for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and specifies clinical, documentation, safety, and timing requirements.
The criteria were updated to address re-administration of iDose TR after updated product labeling allowed repeat implantation.
The policy references were updated during the November 2026 review.
Coverage Criteria
New-to-plan current therapy
For members new to the plan, submit documentation of current treatment.
Treatment obtained as samples or through a manufacturer's patient assistance program is excluded from this documentation pathway.
Initial authorization
Authorization may be granted when all of the following criteria are met.
Covered diagnosis
- Open-angle glaucoma: Diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma.
- Ocular hypertension: Diagnosis of ocular hypertension.
- Dosing and treated eye documentation: Appropriate dosing is documented, including the specific eye(s) to be treated.
- Age: The member is at least 18 years of age.≥18 years
- Prescriber specialty: The prescriber is an ophthalmologist.
Prior treatment failure or implant medical necessity
- Inadequate response or adverse reaction: The member has an inadequate response or adverse reaction to combination treatment with THREE of the following topical products: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, ophthalmic alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, ophthalmic beta-blocker, parasympathomimetic, prostaglandin analog, or Rhopressa (netarsudil).Three topical products
Examples in the policy include dorzolamide, brimonidine, and pilocarpine.
Medical necessity for implantable formulation
- Limited dexterity.
- Visual impairment.
- Intellectual disability.
- Durysta alternative rationale: Clinical rationale is provided for use of the requested agent instead of Durysta.
- Baseline endothelial cell density: Baseline central corneal endothelial cell density is provided and is above the minimum density threshold based on the phakic or pseudophakic eye(s).Above applicable minimum threshold
Continuation therapy and recertification
Recertification can be issued for another iDose TR when all of the following are documented.
- Dosing and treated eye documentation: Appropriate dosing is documented, including the specific eye(s) to be treated.
- Time since prior implantation: The previous iDose TR was implanted in the target eye(s) more than 365 days ago.>365 days
Continued need or loss of effectiveness
Implant supplementation or implant medical necessity
- Current implant under 3 years: The current implant is less than 3 years old and clinical rationale explains why the iDose TR cannot be supplemented by a topical product.<3 years
Medical necessity for implantable formulation
- Limited dexterity.
- Visual impairment.
- Intellectual disability.
- Implant no longer effective: The iDose TR has been implanted for at least 3 years and is no longer effective.≥3 years
- Baseline endothelial density and cell loss: Both baseline central corneal endothelial cell density based on the phakic or pseudophakic eye(s) and central corneal endothelial cell loss of less than 10% from the pre-administration baseline are documented.Cell loss <10%
- Current endothelial cell density: The member's current endothelial cell density is above the minimum recommended threshold based on the phakic or pseudophakic eye(s).Above applicable minimum recommended threshold
- Device history: There is no history of prior iDose TR device dislocation.No prior dislocation
For members whose coverage effective date is 90 days or less before submission, treatment records must document that the member is currently receiving the requested drug. Treatment obtained as samples or through a manufacturer’s patient assistance program does not satisfy this new-to-plan documentation pathway.
A history of prior iDose TR device dislocation is not compatible with recertification for another iDose TR and must be absent for continuation authorization.
Clinical Thresholds and Treatment Parameters
Authorization and Documentation Requirements
Initial Prior Authorization Required
Prior authorization is required for iDose TR under the MassHealth Uniform Preferred Products List (UPPL) medical benefit. Initial authorization is subject to the clinical and documentation requirements below.
- Coverage is under the medical benefit; pharmacy benefit requirements do not apply.
- The requested product is travoprost intracameral implant (iDose TR).
Continuation Prior Authorization
For continuation of therapy, the prescriber must obtain recertification before another iDose TR implant is authorized and submit documentation demonstrating that all continuation requirements remain satisfied.
- The prior iDose TR must have been implanted in the target eye(s) more than 365 days ago.
- Submit current clinical, endothelial-cell, dosing, and safety documentation with the recertification request.
Failure or Intolerance of Three Topical Options
The member must have an inadequate response or adverse reaction to a combination of three eligible topical products, unless medical necessity for an implantable formulation is documented.
- Eligible topical categories include a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, ophthalmic alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, ophthalmic beta-blocker, parasympathomimetic, prostaglandin analog, or Rhopressa (netarsudil).
- Alternatively, document medical necessity for an implantable formulation because of limited dexterity, visual impairment, or intellectual disability.
New-to-Plan Current Treatment Records
If the member's coverage effective date is 90 days or less before submission, provide medical records documenting that the member is currently receiving the requested drug.
- Do not use samples or manufacturer patient assistance program supply as evidence of current treatment.
Initial Authorization Clinical Documentation
Initial requests must include clinical documentation supporting the diagnosis and planned treatment, including the specific eye(s) to be treated and the requested dosing.
- Document open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
- Member must be 18 years of age or older.
- Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist.
- Document the qualifying topical treatment history or medical necessity for an implantable formulation.
- Provide clinical rationale for using iDose TR instead of Durysta.
Baseline Endothelial Cell Documentation
Provide the baseline central corneal endothelial cell density for each applicable target eye and demonstrate that the value exceeds the minimum recommended threshold for the eye's phakic or pseudophakic status.
- Document whether each target eye is phakic or pseudophakic.
- Include the baseline endothelial cell density value and the applicable minimum threshold.
Continuation and Recertification Documentation
Continuation requests must document appropriate dosing and the specific eye(s) to be treated, the prior iDose TR implantation date, and the clinical rationale supporting another implant.
- The prior implant must have been placed in the target eye(s) more than 365 days earlier.
- If the current implant is less than 3 years old, explain why it cannot be supplemented by a topical product, or document limited dexterity, visual impairment, or intellectual disability.
- If iDose TR has been implanted for 3 years or more, document that it is no longer effective.
- Document baseline endothelial cell density by phakic or pseudophakic eye status, endothelial cell loss of less than 10% from pre-administration baseline, and a current density above the applicable minimum threshold.
- Confirm no history of prior iDose TR device dislocation.
Initial Authorization Criteria Not Met
Initial authorization is not clinically eligible when the request does not satisfy the required diagnosis, age, prescriber, dosing, treatment-history, or clinical-rationale criteria.
- Deny when the diagnosis is not open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
- Deny when the member is younger than 18 or the prescriber is not an ophthalmologist.
- Deny when appropriate dosing or the target eye(s) are not documented.
- Deny when neither inadequate response/adverse reaction to three eligible topical products nor qualifying medical necessity for an implantable formulation is documented.
- Deny when clinical rationale for iDose TR instead of Durysta is not provided.
Continuation Safety or Timing Criteria Not Met
Continuation authorization should not be issued when timing, endothelial-cell, effectiveness, safety, or documentation requirements are not met.
- Deny when the prior iDose TR was implanted in the target eye(s) 365 days ago or less.
- Deny when required baseline or current endothelial cell density documentation is missing, below the applicable minimum threshold, or when endothelial cell loss is 10% or more from pre-administration baseline.
- Deny when the required continuation rationale is absent, including why a topical product cannot supplement an implant that is less than 3 years old or evidence that an implant in place for 3 years or more is no longer effective.
- Deny when there is a history of prior iDose TR device dislocation.
- Deny when appropriate dosing or the target eye(s) are not documented.
New-to-Plan Treatment History Not Documented
For new-to-plan members, failure to document current treatment with the requested drug creates a documentation gap and may result in denial or a request for additional records.
- Apply when the coverage effective date is 90 days or less before submission.
- Records must show current treatment with iDose TR.
- Treatment obtained solely through samples or a manufacturer's patient assistance program does not satisfy this requirement.
Policy and Treatment Background
iDose TR is a travoprost intracameral implant used to reduce elevated intraocular pressure. The policy identifies open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension as covered indications, subject to the applicable authorization and safety requirements.
Definitions
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