Medical Policy Updates

Notification of Policy Revisions Effective April 27, 2006 (Posted February 16, 2006)

Medical Policy	Revision
Intravenous Immune Globulin Therapy	Removed #2.h.i-ii indications for Myasthenia Gravis under "When Covered" section and added the following: 2.h. Myasthenic crisis (i.e., an acute episode of respiratory muscle weakness) in patients with contraindications to plasma exchange and 2.i. Myasthenia Gravis in patients with chronic debilitating disease in spite of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, or complication from or failure of steroids and/or azathioprine. Removed #5 statement under "When not Covered" section. #5 now reads, "Myasthenia Gravis in patients responsive to immunosuppressive treatment." Notification given 2/16/06. Effective date 4/27/06.

Medical Policy

Revision

Intravenous Immune Globulin Therapy

Removed #2.h.i-ii indications for Myasthenia Gravis under "When Covered" section and added the following: 2.h. Myasthenic crisis (i.e., an acute episode of respiratory muscle weakness) in patients with contraindications to plasma exchange and 2.i. Myasthenia Gravis in patients with chronic debilitating disease in spite of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, or complication from or failure of steroids and/or azathioprine. Removed #5 statement under "When not Covered" section. #5 now reads, "Myasthenia Gravis in patients responsive to immunosuppressive treatment." Notification given 2/16/06. Effective date 4/27/06.