Levoleucovorin (Fusilev; Khapzory) — Intravenous Coverage Criteria
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Defines prior authorization, dosing limits, indications, and renewal criteria for intravenous levoleucovorin (Fusilev and Khapzory) for Viva Health members.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Coverage Criteria
Initial Therapy
Covered when ALL of the following are met:
From Universal Criteria
Includes listed malignancies (e.g., osteosarcoma, ALL, CNS lymphoma, various B- and T-cell lymphomas)
Rescue for methotrexate toxicity
See policy list of tumor types for covered diagnoses
Compendia-recommended indication
The policy includes a universal exclusion for members with pernicious anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency megaloblastic anemia. This condition is a contraindication to coverage and must be absent for authorization to be approved under the universal criteria.
Medicare-specific coverage determinations may apply: providers must follow applicable CMS guidance, including the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and any relevant National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) or Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). The policy notes that Medicare Part B Covered Diagnosis Codes: N/A in Appendix 2, indicating no specific Part B diagnosis codes are listed in this document but that compliance with NCDs/LCDs is required where applicable.
Use of levoleucovorin when racemic d,l‑leucovorin calcium is available does not meet the policy's universal criterion. Coverage requires that racemic d,l‑leucovorin calcium is not obtainable in any dosage strength as confirmed by the FDA Drug Shortage website (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm). For Khapzory specifically, this product‑substitution prerequisite is combined with the Khapzory-only requirement that the member had an inadequate response to, or intolerance/contraindication to, Fusilev.
Billing and Coding
| 72893-0009-xx | Fusilev 50 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0009-xx |
| 72893-0013-xx | Fusilev 175 mg/17.5 mL single-dose vial solution for injection: 72893-0013-xx |
| 72893-0014-xx | Fusilev 250 mg/25 mL single-dose vial solution for injection: 72893-0014-xx |
| 72893-0004-xx | Khapzory 175 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0004-xx |
| 72893-0006-xx | Khapzory 300 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0006-xx |
| 72893-0009-xx | Fusilev 50 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0009-xx |
| 72893-0013-xx | Fusilev 175 mg/17.5 mL single-dose vial solution for injection: 72893-0013-xx |
| 72893-0014-xx | Fusilev 250 mg/25 mL single-dose vial solution for injection: 72893-0014-xx |
| 72893-0004-xx | Khapzory 175 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0004-xx |
| 72893-0006-xx | Khapzory 300 mg single-dose vial powder for injection: 72893-0006-xx |
| C15.3 | Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus |
| C15.4 | Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus |
| C15.5 | Malignant neoplasm of the lower third of esophagus |
| C15.3 | Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus |
| C15.4 | Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus |
| C15.5 | Malignant neoplasm of the lower third of esophagus |
| C15.8 | Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of esophagus |
| C15.9 | Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified |
| C16.0 | Malignant neoplasm of cardia |
| C16.1 | Malignant neoplasm of fundus of stomach |
| C16.2 | Malignant neoplasm of body of stomach |
| C16.3 | Malignant neoplasm of pyloric antrum |
| C16.4 | Malignant neoplasm of pylorus |
| C18.6 | Malignant neoplasm of descending colon |
| C18.7 | Malignant neoplasm of sigmoid colon |
| C18.8 | Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of colon |
| C18.9 | Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified |
| C19 | Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction |
| C20 | Malignant neoplasm of rectum |
| C21.0 | Malignant neoplasm of anus, unspecified |
| C21.1 | Malignant neoplasm of anal canal |
| C21.2 | Malignant neoplasm of cloacogenic zone |
| C21.8 | Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of rectum, anus and anal canal |
| C57.00 | Malignant neoplasm of unspecified fallopian tube |
| C57.01 | Malignant neoplasm of right fallopian tube |
| C57.02 | Malignant neoplasm of left fallopian tube |
| C57.10 | Malignant neoplasm of unspecified broad ligament |
| C57.11 | Malignant neoplasm of right broad ligament |
| C57.12 | Malignant neoplasm of left broad ligament |
| C57.20 | Malignant neoplasm of unspecified round ligament |
| C57.21 | Malignant neoplasm of right round ligament |
| C57.22 | Malignant neoplasm of left round ligament |
| C57.3 | Malignant neoplasm of parametrium |
| C7A.098 | Malignant carcinoid tumors of other sites |
| C7A.1 | Malignant poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors |
| C7A.8 | Other malignant neuroendocrine tumors |
| C7B.00 | Secondary carcinoid tumors unspecified site |
| C7B.01 | Secondary carcinoid tumors of distant lymph nodes |
| C7B.02 | Secondary carcinoid tumors of liver |
| C7B.03 | Secondary carcinoid tumors of bone |
| C7B.04 | Secondary carcinoid tumors of peritoneum |
| C7B.09 | Secondary carcinoid tumors of other sites |
| C7B.8 | Other secondary neuroendocrine tumors |
| C81.09 | Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.19 | Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.29 | Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.39 | Lymphocyte depleted Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.49 | Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.79 | Other Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C81.99 | Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.09 | Follicular lymphoma grade I, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.19 | Follicular lymphoma grade II, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.29 | Follicular lymphoma grade III, unspecified, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.39 | Follicular lymphoma grade IIIa, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.49 | Follicular lymphoma grade IIIb, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.59 | Diffuse follicle center lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.69 | Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.89 | Other types of follicular lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C82.99 | Follicular lymphoma, unspecified, extranodal and solid organ sites |
| C83.00 | Small cell B-cell lymphoma, unspecified site |
| C85.25 | Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb |
| C85.26 | Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb |
| C85.27 | Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes |
| C85.28 | Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, spleen |
| C85.29 | Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of multiple sites |
| C85.80 | Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified site |
| C85.81 | Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck |
| C85.82 | Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, intrathoracic lymph nodes |
| C85.83 | Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodes |
| C85.84 | Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb |
Provider Actions and Documentation
Obtain prior authorization — 90‑day initial approval; age ≥6
Prior authorization is required for IV levoleucovorin. Initial prior authorization validity will be provided for 90 days and may be renewed every 90 days. The member must be at least 6 years of age to meet initial authorization requirements.
PA considered for indication and cost per NQTL checklist
Prior authorization may be applied based on the clinical indication and the drug’s cost. Appendix A’s NQTL checklist identifies "Indication: Consider for PA" and "Cost of drug: Consider for PA," so providers should expect PA review when the indication relevance or cost is a concern.
Follow applicable CMS NCDs/LCDs for Medicare Part B cases
When Medicare Part B is relevant, follow applicable CMS guidance and any National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) or Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). Coverage determinations for outpatient (Part B) drugs are governed by the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and any applicable NCD/LCD/LCA.
Document prior trial or intolerance to Fusilev before Khapzory
For Khapzory (levoleucovorin), prior authorization requires documentation that the member had an inadequate response to, or a contraindication/intolerance of, Fusilev before Khapzory coverage is approved (Khapzory‑only prerequisite).
Bill using HCPCS J0641 / J0642 and applicable NDC(s)
Use the listed HCPCS and NDCs when submitting claims: bill levoleucovorin as J0641 (Fusilev) or J0642 (Khapzory), 1 billable unit = 0.5 mg, and include the applicable NDC for Fusilev or Khapzory (e.g., Fusilev 72893-0009-xx, 72893-0013-xx, 72893-0014-xx; Khapzory 72893-0004-xx, 72893-0006-xx).
Refer to Appendix A for the NQTL factor checklist
Appendix A contains the Non‑Quantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTL) factor checklist that documents the NQTL factors considered when designing and applying prior authorization for this drug/drug group.
Submit supporting ICD‑10 diagnosis code from Appendix 1
Include an appropriate ICD‑10 diagnosis code from Appendix 1 on the claim to support medical necessity for IV levoleucovorin; use the covered diagnosis code that corresponds to the member’s indication (see Appendix 1 list).
Confirm FDA shortage before coverage when racemic product is required
For indications that rely on racemic d,l‑leucovorin being unavailable, coverage requires confirmation that racemic d,l‑leucovorin calcium is not obtainable in any dosage strength as confirmed by the FDA Drug Shortage website (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm).
PA may be applied for NQTL‑driven utilization concerns
Prior authorization may be applied when indication relevance or drug cost raises utilization management concerns; the policy notes that utilization management NQTLs may restrict benefits comparably across MH/SUD and M/S drugs.
Medicare Part B coverage/payment triggers — follow CMS rules
Medicare Part B coverage and payment for outpatient administration are governed by the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and any applicable NCDs/LCDs/LCAs; providers must comply with these CMS rules where applicable.
Initial Therapy Criteria
Initial Therapy — Initial authorizations are for 90 days and require age and universal criteria
Initial authorizations are for 90 days and require meeting the universal criteria and age requirement:
Initial prior authorization valid for 90 days
Renewal / Continuation Criteria
Renewal Criteria
Renewal may be approved when ALL of the following are met:
From Renewal Criteria
Step Therapy Requirements
| Step | Required prior therapy / condition | Coverage note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trial and inadequate response to, or contraindication/intolerance of, Fusilev (levoleucovorin) | Required prior to coverage of Khapzory (Khapzory-only clause) |
Quantity Limits
Site of Care and Administration
Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels during IV administration
For IV administration in infusion center or hospital outpatient settings, follow dosing and monitoring guidance in the policy, including monitoring serum creatinine and methotrexate levels at least every 24 hours during rescue.
Apply Medicare Part B rules and NCD/LCDs for outpatient administration/payment
When administering in an outpatient infusion center under Medicare Part B, follow Medicare rules and any applicable NCDs/LCDs for coverage and payment; consult CMS guidance and local MACs as needed.
Definitions
Background
Levoleucovorin is used primarily as a rescue therapy following high‑dose methotrexate to reduce toxicity from impaired elimination or inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists. It is also used in combination with fluorouracil‑based chemotherapy regimens to enhance fluorouracil activity for colorectal and other malignancies. Clinical use includes administration during high‑dose methotrexate chemotherapy or as part of methotrexate‑based regimens for specific tumor types; dosing and monitoring are performed in infusion or hospital outpatient settings.
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