LCD - Molecular Pathology Procedures (L35000) (2023)

Document Information

Coverage Guidance

Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity

• Alternative laboratory or clinical tests to definitively diagnose the disorder/identify the condition are unavailable or results are clearly equivocal; AND
• Availability of a clinically valid test, based on published peer reviewed medical literature; AND
• Testing assay(s) are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared or if LDT (lab developed test) or LDT protocol or FDA modified test(s) the laboratory documentation should support assay(s) of analytical validity and clinical utility; AND
• Results of the testing must directly impact treatment or management of the Medicare beneficiary; AND
• For testing panels, including but not limited to, multiple genes or multiple conditions, and in cases where a tiered approach/method is clinically available, testing would be covered ONLY for the number of genes or test that are reasonable and necessary to obtain necessary information for therapeutic decision making; AND
• Individual has not previously received genetic testing for the disease/condition. (In general, diagnostic genetic testing for a disease should be performed once in a lifetime.) Exceptions include clinical scenarios whereby repeat testing of somatically-acquired mutations (for example, pre- and post- therapy) may be required to inform appropriate therapeutic decision-making.

Limitations:

• Any procedures required prior to cell lysisshould be reported separately and utilization must be clearly supported based on the application and clinical utility. Such claims may be subject to prepayment medical review.
• The medically necessary interpretation and report of a molecular pathology test, written by a pathologist, which is above and beyond the report of standard laboratory results may not be reported by Non- physician practitioners (e.g., PhD, scientists etc.); only physicians are eligible to reportthis service.
• Testing for quality assurance component of the service is not separately billable.

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

ABL1 (ABL proto-oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase) (eg, acquired imatinib tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance), gene analysis, variants in the kinase domain is considered medically necessary in patients with acute lymphoblasic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to guide therapeutic decision making.

ATP7B is considered medically necessary in patients with symptoms of Wilson’s disease to guide therapeutic decision making.

BCR/ABL is indicated in patients with suspected CML with either persistent, unexplained leukocytosis or thrombocytosis. BCR/ABL is considered medically necessary in the evaluation of individuals with chronic myelogenous leukemia or BCR-ABL positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia to evaluate treated individuals who manifest suboptimal response to initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy or loss of response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

BLM (Bloom syndrome, RecQ helicase-like)(e.g. Bloom syndrome) gene analysis, 2281 del6ins7 variant is considered medically necessary for a beneficiary who may have Bloom syndrome to confirm diagnosis and guide medical decision-making.

BRAF gene analysis is considered medically necessary for patients who have malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, hairy cell leukemia, or metastatic colorectal cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individual's specific clinical presentation.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing is considered medically necessary for a beneficiary with a current diagnosis or a personal history of a cancer associated with the BRCA mutation who meets one or more of the criteria found in the most recent version of the NCCN guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian or other evidence based guideline addressing genetic testing, and the results will be used to benefit the individual tested in terms of potential to guide therapeutic decision making.

Cardiology (heart transplant), mRNA, gene expression profiling by real-time quantitative PCR of 20 genes (11 content and 9 housekeeping), utilizing subtraction of peripheral blood, algorithm reported as rejection risk score is considered medically necessary for heart transplant patients to guide therapeutic decision-making.

CEBPA (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein [C/EBP], alpha) (eg, acute myeloid leukemia), full gene sequence is considered medically necessary in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) to guide therapeutic decision making.

CALR (calreticulin) (eg, myeloproliferative disorders), gene analysis, common variants in exon 9 is considered medically necessary in the initial diagnostic work-up of BCR-ABL negative, JAK2-negative adults with clinical, laboratory, or pathological findings suggesting polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF).

CCND1/IGH (BCL1/IgH, t)(eg, mantle cell lymphoma) translocation analysis, major breakpoint, qualitative and quantitative, if performed is considered medical necessary for patients who have non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma to guide therapeutic decision-making.

CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) (e.g.cystic fibrosis) gene analysis, common variants (e.g. ACMG/ACOG guidelines) is considered medically necessary for a beneficiary who has or may have cystic fibrosis to guide therapeutic decision-making.

Chimerism analysis to identify appropriate donors and monitor engraftment success or disease reoccurrence is considered medically necessary.

CYP2C6 19-cytochrome P450 CYP2C6 19-cytochrome P450 Based on the FDA’s Black Box warning for clopidogrel, the effectiveness of clopidogrel is dependent on its activation to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19. CYP2C619 genotyping may be medically necessary once per lifetime to identify individuals:

• Who are poor metabolizers of clopidogrel, so that alternative treatment or treatment strategies can be considered
• Who are poor metabolizers of clopidogrel with acute coronary syndrome or who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

CYP2C9 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily D polypeptide 9) (e.g., drug metabolism), gene analysis, is only considered medically necessary for individuals who have relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and require CYP2C9 genotyping for dosing in accordance with the FDA prescribing information for Mayzent. CYP2C9 testing must include the *1, *2, and *3 alleles that are necessary to safely dose the FDA-approved drug Mayzent.

CYP2D6 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily D polypeptide 6) (e.g., drug metabolism), gene analysis, is only considered medically necessary for individuals with Huntington’s disease for whom doses of tetrabenazine greater than 50 mg per day are being considered, and for testing prior to the initiation of Cerdelga^TM (eliglustat) for Gaucher’s disease.

EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) (eg, non-small cell lung cancer) gene analysis, common variants (eg, exon 19 LREA deletion, L858R, T790M, G719A, G719S, L861Q) [when specified as EGFR mutation analysis testing] EGFR testing is considered medically necessary as a technique to predict treatment response for individuals with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy (for example, erlotinib [Tarceva® ], gefitinib [Iressa® ], or afatinib [Gilotrif® ]).

F2 gene (prothrombin coagulation factor II) and F5 gene (coagulation factor V) The F2 and F5 genetic tests are not considered to be clinically efficacious; therefore, testing is not medically necessary.

FLT3 is considered medically necessary in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to guide therapeutic decision making.

Gene Testing for Warfarin Response Pharmacogenomic Testing for Warfarin Response, gene testing on CYP2C9 and/or VKORC1 see NCD 90.1 for coverage information.

HFE (hemochromatosis)(hereditary hemochrosis) gene analysis, common variants (e.g. C282Y, H63D) is considered medically necessary in patients with iron overload of uncertain etiology (e.g. when the test is used to avoid liver biopsy in someone when the ferritin and the transferrin saturation are elevated greater than 45%). The genotyping of patients with iron overload of uncertain etiology is allowed only once per lifetime.

HLA Class I or II typing is considered medically necessary when one of the following indications is met:

• Transplantation:

• Standard of care determination of HLA matching for solid organ transplant (donor/recipient). – Solid organ transplant registries include both serological HLA testing (e.g., crossmatch) and genomic molecular DNA typing. Family members, or unrelated living donors or cadaveric donors who donate bone marrow or a solid organ are HLA tested pre-transplant to determine compatibility with the potential recipients.
• Standard of care determination of HLA matching for solid organ transplant (donor/recipient). – Solid organ transplant registries include both serological HLA testing (e.g., crossmatch) and genomic molecular DNA typing. Family members, or unrelated living donors or cadaveric donors who donate bone marrow or a solid organ are HLA tested pre-transplant to determine compatibility with the potential recipients.
• Standard of care identification of determination of HLA matching for hematopoietic stem cell/bone marrow transplantation -allele-level typing will provide clinical guidance for the HLA-A,B,C Class I and DRB1, DQB1,DPB1, and DQA1 Class II loci in the average transplant program because it is well established that mismatches at certain HLA loci between donor-recipients are closely linked to the risk of graft versus host disease. Potential marrow donors may enroll with a national registry such as the United States National Marrow Donor Program or the Canadian Blood Services registry.
• Disease Association:
  • Standard of care testing to diagnose certain HLA related diseases/conditions when the testing is supported by the clinical literature and is informative for the direct management of a patient bearing a certain allele(s). It is not expected that more than one test would be required in a given beneficiary’s lifetime. Possible covered indications when standard laboratory testing (tissue typing) not adequate:
    • HLA-B*27 for the diagnosis of certain cases of symptomatic patients with presumed ankylosing spondylitis or related inflammatory disease. HLA-B*27 is covered for ankylosing spondylitis in cases where other methods of diagnosis would not be appropriate or have yielded inconclusive results (NCD 190.1).
    • In the work-up of certain patients with an unclear diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten hypersensitivity usually related to ambiguous standard laboratory results and/or inconsistent biopsy results (e.g., HLA-DQ2 by HLA-DQB1*02 and of DQ8 by HLA-DQB1*0302).
• Pharmacogenetics:
  • Standard of care testing to diagnose certain HLA related drug hypersensitivity reactions when the testing is supported by the clinical literature and is informative for the direct management of a patient bearing a certain allele(s) associated to fatal skin drug reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis). It is not expected that more than one test would be required in a given beneficiary’s lifetime. Possible covered indications:
  • HLA –B*5701 when testing performed prior to the initiation of an abacavir-containing regime in the treatment of HIV Infection.
  • HLA-B*1502 when genotyping may be useful for risk stratification when the testing is performed prior to the initiation of carbamazepine therapy in the treatment of patients at high risk of having this allele. HLA-B*1502 occurs almost exclusively in patients with ancestry across broad areas of Asia, including South Asian Indians.
  • Identification of HLA compatible platelets for transfusion when standard typing is not adequate.

HUMAN PLATELET ANTIGEN 1-15 as genotyping for human platelet antigens is important for identifying woman at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). Post-transfusion purpura is an immune reaction against human platelet antigens, often occurring when a woman is sensitized during pregnancy, then subsequently receives a transfusion. There are few Medicare beneficiaries for whom this testing will be clinically actionable.

IGH@ (Immunoglobulin heavy chain locus) is considered medically necessary for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma, B-cell to guide therapeutic decision making.

JAK2 V617F genotyping is considered medically necessary in the initial diagnostic work-up of BCR-ABL negative, JAK2-negative adults with clinical, laboratory, or pathological findings suggesting myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) (polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF)) or a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Note: JAK2 (exons 12 and 13) (reported with 81403) is medically necessary in individuals for whom PV is a strong consideration.

JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) (eg, myeloproliferative disorder), exon 12 sequence and exon 13 sequence is considered medically necessary in the initial work-up of BCR-ABL and JAK2 (V617F variant) negative adults with clinical, laboratory, or pathological findings suggesting polycythemia vera.

KIT (v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) (eg, gastrointestinal stromal tumor [GIST], acute myeloid leukemia, melanoma), gene analysis, targeted sequence analysis (eg, exons 8, 11, 13, 17, 18) is considered medically necessary in patients who have GIST, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or melanoma to guide therapeutic decision making.

KIT (v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) (eg, mastocytosis), gene analysis, D816 variant(s) is considered medically necessary in patients who have mastocytosis to guide therapeutic decision making.

KRAS gene analysis, variants in codons 12 and 13, is considered medically necessary in patients with colorectal cancer or non-small cell lung cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individual's specific clinical presentation.

KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) (e.g., carcinoma) gene analysis; additional variant(s) (e.g., codon 61, codon 146) is considered medically necessary in patients with colorectal cancer or non-small cell lung cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individual's specific clinical presentation.

MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 1) (eg, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, Wermer syndrome), duplication/deletion and CPT code 81405 MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 1) e.g. multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, Wermer syndrome), duplication/deletion analysis) are considered medically necessary in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia to guide therapeutic decision-making.

MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase, is considered medically necessary in patients with non-small cell lung cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individuals specific clinical presentation.

MGMT (O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme), methylation analysis) is considered medically necessary in patients with malignant brain neoplasm to guide therapeutic decision making.

MPL (myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene, thrombopoietin receptor, TPOR) (eg, myeloproliferative disorder), common variants (eg, W515A, W515K, W515L, W515R) is considered medically necessary in the initial work-up of BCR-ABL negative, JAK2 negative, and CALR negative adults with clinical, laboratory, or pathological findings suggesting thrombocytosis, essential thrombocythemia (ET), or primary myelofibrosis (PMF).

MPL (myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene, thrombopoietin receptor, TPOR) (eg, myeloproliferative disorder), exon 10 sequence is considered medically necessary in the initial work-up of BCR-ABL negative, JAK2 negative, and CALR negative adults with clinical, laboratory, or pathological findings suggesting thrombocytosis, essential thrombocythemia (ET), or primary myelofibrosis (PMF).

MTHFR (5,10-methyenetetrahydrofolate reductase) (e.g. hereditary hypercoaguability), gene analysis, common variants(e.g., EG, 677T, 1298C) is not considered to be clinically efficacious; therefore, testing is not medically necessary.

Microsatellite instability analysis (e.g., hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome) of markers for mismatch repair deficiency (e.g. BAT25, BAT26), includes comparison of neoplastic and normal tissue and is considered medically necessary in individuals who have colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed at less than or equal to 70 years of age, and those greater than 70 years who meet the revised Bethesda Lynch Syndrome (LS) guidelines to guide therapeutic decision-making. Despite the high penetrance of CRC and endometrial cancer and recommendations of consideration for screening unaffected first-degree relatives following diagnosis of an LS proband, testing of genetic carriers who are unaffected with a Lynch- related cancer is not a Medicare benefit, and is statutorily excluded from coverage.

MSI testing is also required by FDA for the clinical use of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in a restricted population of patients. These are patients who have unresectable or metastatic solid tumors who have progressed following prior treatment and have no satisfactory alternative options. When Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a potential clinically appropriate therapeutic choice, MSI testing is medically necessary in these patients. Because this is a wide-ranging population of advanced cancer patients, ICD-10 specificity is impractical, therefore use an ICD-10 appropriate for the tumor type and location.

MYD88 genetic test is considered medically necessary in patients with Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL), Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) and Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma (LPL) to guide therapeutic decision-making.

NPM1 (nucleophosmin) is considered medically necessary in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to guide therapeutic decision making.

NRAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral [v-ras] oncogene homolog) (e.g., colorectal carcinoma), gene analysis, variants in exon 2 (e.g., codons 12 and 13) and exon 3 (e.g., codon 61) is considered medically necessary in patients with colorectal cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individual's specific clinical presentation.

Oncology (breast), mRNA, gene expression profiling by real-time RT-PCR of 21 genes, utilizing formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue, algorithm reported as recurrence score is considered medically necessary to guide therapeutic decision-making in patients with the following findings:

• estrogen-receptor positive, node-negative carcinoma of the breast
• estrogen-receptor positive micrometastases of carcinoma of the breast, and
• estrogen-receptor positive breast carcinoma with 1-3 positive nodes.

PCA3 testing is considered medically necessary in patients ONLY when all biopsies in previous encounter(s) are negative for prostatic cancer, the subsequent prostate specific antigen (PSA) is rising, and when the patient or physician wants to avoid repeat biopsy (“watchful waiting”). When the physician plans to biopsy the prostate, NGS will consider a PCA3 test as not medically necessary, and thus, not a covered Medicare benefit. NGS considers all other indications for PCA3 not reasonable and necessary. Medical record documentation must indicate the rationale to perform a PCA3 assay.

PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor, alpha polypeptide) (e.g., gastrointestinal stromal tumor [GIST]), gene analysis, targeted sequence analysis (eg, exons 12, 18) is considered medically necessary in patients with PDGFRA-associated chronic eosinophilic leukemia or GIST caused by mutations in the PDGFRA gene to guide therapeutic decision making.

PML/RARALPHA, (T(15;17)), (PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA/RETINOIC ACID RECEPTOR ALPHA) (EG, PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA) TRANSLOCATION ANALYSIS; COMMON BREAKPOINTS (EG, INTRON 3 AND INTRON 6), QUALITATIVE OR QUANTITATIVE is considered medically necessary in patients with promyelocytic leukemia.

Prosigna® Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay is considered medically necessary in patients who have undergone surgery in conjunction with locoregional treatment consistent with standard of care, either as:

• A prognostic indicator for distant recurrence-free survival at 10 years in post- menopausal women with Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+), lymph node-negative, Stage I or II breast cancer to be treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy alone, when used in conjunction with other clinicopathological factors.
• A prognostic indicator for distant recurrence-free survival at 10 years in post- menopausal women with Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+), lymph node-positive (1-3 positive nodes}, Stage II breast cancer to be treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy alone, when used in conjunction with other clinicopathological factors. The device is not intended for patients with 4 or more positive nodes

RARS (SF3B1 mutation) is considered medically necessary in patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome to guide therapeutic decision-making.

RET (ret-proto-oncogene) is considered medically necessary in patients with medullary CA of thyroid, multiple endocrine neoplasia, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid tumors) to guide therapeutic decision making.

ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase, is considered medically necessary in patients with non-small cell lung cancer when needed to determine if a Medicare covered therapy is a reasonable option given the individuals specific clinical presentation.

SERPINA1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A, alpha-1- antiproteinase, antitrypsin, member 1) (e.g., antitrypsin deficiency), gene analysis, common variants (e.g. *S and *Z) is considered medically necessary for patients who have antitrypsin deficiency to guide therapeutic decision-making.

Targeted genomic sequence analysis panel, solid organ neoplasm, DNA analysis, and RNA analysis when performed, 5-50 genes (EG, ALK, BRAF, CDKN2A, EGFR, ERBB2, KIT, KRAS, NRAS, MET, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, PGR, PIK3CA, PTEN, RET), interrogation for sequence variants and copy number variants or rearrangements, if performed is considered not medically necessary except when used to guide treatment decision making in individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (please refer to LCD L36376).

TP53 (tumor protein 53) (e.g. tumor samples), targeted sequence analysis of 2-5 exons, and CPT code 81405 TP53 (tumor protein 53) (e.g. Li-Fraumeni syndrome, tumor samples), full gene sequence or targeted sequence analysis of >5 exons are considered medically necessary in individuals who have Acute Myelogenous Leukemia or Myeloplastic Disease to guide therapeutic decision-making.

TRB@ (T CELL antigen receptor, BETA) (e.g., leukemia and lymphoma), gene rearrangement analysis to detect abnormal cloning population(s); using amplification methodology is considered necessary to guide therapeutic decision-making for individuals with acute lymphoid leukemia, aplastic anemia, and T cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

TRG@ (T CELL antigen receptor, GAMMA ) (e.g., leukemia and lymphoma), gene rearrangement analysis , evaluation to detect abnormal cloning population(s) are considered medically necessary to guide therapeutic decision-making for individuals with acute lymphoid leukemia, aplastic anemia, and T cell prolymphocytic leukemia and mastocytosis.

Tier 2 Covered Gene/Gene Combinations

Limited coverage may be provided for specific genes reported below:

Tier 2 Individual Review Codes/Gene Combinations

Any genetic test reported with a Tier 2 CPT code, not listed above or below, is subject to individual review.

Tier 2 Non-covered Codes/Gene Combinations

The following individual Tier 2 genetic tests are unlikely to impact therapeutic decision-making, directly impact treatment, outcome and/or clinical management in the care of the beneficiary and will be denied as not medically necessary (Please note that this list of non-covered genes is not exhaustive, and the fact that a specific gene is not mentioned does not mean it is covered. In addition, many genes have several names that are used. The most common names have been used in this policy):

Summary of Evidence

HUMAN PLATELET ANTIGEN 1-15

Coverage of(HUMAN PLATELET ANTIGEN 1-15) as genotyping for human platelet antigens is important for identifying woman at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). Post-transfusion purpura is an immune reaction against human platelet antigens, often occurring when a woman is sensitized during pregnancy, then subsequently receives a transfusion. There are few Medicare beneficiaries for whom this testing will be clinically actionable.

IFNL3 (IL28B)

Newer treatment regimens are replacing PEG-interferon therapies. Per UpToDate: “Several clinical features that were predictors of response to interferon-based regimens are no longer relevant to combination direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens…Polymorphisms in the IL28B gene, which encodes interferon lambda 3, effectively predicted responses to treatment with interferon-based therapies and accounted for a significant proportion of the differential response observed in patients of certain races, such as patients of African descent. In contrast, neither non-CC IL28 genotype nor race has consistently been associated with lower sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in multiple trials and cohort studies of contemporary DAA combination regimens. Although some studies have suggested a limited impact of IL28 genotype or race on SVR rates with DAA regimens, the magnitude of the impact is small when appropriate regimens are used and not sufficient enough to recommend IL28B genotype testing in routine clinical practice."

G6PD

The WHO recommends testing of drugs to predict for risk of hemolysis in G6PD deficient individuals if the drugs are to be prescribed in areas of high prevalence of G6PD deficiency.

Analysis of Evidence (Rationale for Determination)

HUMAN PLATELET ANTIGEN 1-15

There aretoo few Medicare beneficiaries that would both be pregnant and at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia to warrant coverage outside of appeal.

IFNL3 (IL28B)

Given that PEG interferon treatment of HCV is becoming obsolete, so is related companion genetic testing. In addition, when used and IL28 testing is negative, there is little evidencethat clinicians still do notuse the PEG-interferon-alpha-containing regimens despite the unfavorable response genotype.The testing is, therefore, considered not medically necessary.

G6PD

While initial and even confirmatory testing for G6PD deficiency when certain high-risk drugs are used is appropriate, the use of molecular/genetic/DNA methods is not established. General screening, not to be confused with testing immediately before prescription of high-risk drugs, is not a Medicare benefit.