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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesPulmonologyUnitedHealthcare Bronchial Policy Update | OpenPay…
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    CurrentUnitedHealthcarePolicy CS014KS.03

    Bronchial Thermoplasty (for Kansas Only)

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    This policy governs coverage of bronchial thermoplasty for asthma under the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Medical Policy and applies to providers and members in Kansas.

    Policy Summary
    PayerUnitedHealthcare
    PolicyBronchial Thermoplasty (for Kansas Only)
    Policy CodePolicy CS014KS.03
    Change TypeSupporting-information maintenance
    Effective DateOctober 1, 2026
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionBronchial thermoplasty is not medically necessary because evidence is insufficient to establish efficacy.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    The Clinical Evidence and References sections were updated to reflect the most current information.

    Kansas onlyGeographic scope
    UnprovenCoverage status
    3 visitsTypical treatment course
    573Systematic review population

    Bronchial Thermoplasty for Asthma

    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.

    Bronchial Thermoplasty for Asthma

    Bronchial thermoplasty is considered unproven and not medically necessary for treating asthma.

    Coverage determination: Bronchial thermoplasty is unproven and not medically necessary for treating asthma due to insufficient evidence of efficacy.

    The policy states a noncoverage determination rather than affirmative clinical coverage criteria.

    Bronchial thermoplasty is unproven and not medically necessary for treating asthma because evidence of efficacy is insufficient.

    Applicable and FDA Product Codes

    Applicable CPT CodeCPT
    31661Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial thermoplasty, 2 or more lobes
    FDA Product CodeFDA
    OOYFDA product code for bronchial thermoplasty systems

    Provider Coverage Guidance

    Denial Risk

    Insufficient evidence of efficacy

    Bronchial thermoplasty is considered unproven and not medically necessary for treating asthma because evidence is insufficient to establish efficacy.

    Clinical Background

    Asthma is a heterogeneous disease commonly characterized by chronic airway inflammation, variable symptoms, and expiratory airflow limitation.

    Key Definitions

    Bronchial thermoplasty (BT)
    Procedure typeMinimally invasive procedure intended to treat adults with severe, persistent asthma that is not well controlled with medications.
    Energy usedUses controlled thermal radiofrequency energy.
    Delivery methodA standard flexible bronchoscope is introduced through the nose or mouth and into the lungs, and a specialized catheter is advanced through it to the targeted airway wall.
    Airway treatmentThermal radiofrequency energy is delivered to the airway smooth muscle to reduce its mass and responsiveness while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged.
    Policy Summary
    PayerUnitedHealthcare
    PolicyBronchial Thermoplasty (for Kansas Only)
    Policy CodePolicy CS014KS.03
    Change TypeSupporting-information maintenance
    Effective DateOctober 1, 2026
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionBronchial thermoplasty is not medically necessary because evidence is insufficient to establish efficacy.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Bronchial Thermoplasty for AsthmaApplicable and FDA Product CodesProvider Coverage GuidanceClinical BackgroundKey Definitions