A non-invasive positive pressure respiratory assistance (NPPRA) is the administration of positive air pressure, using a nasal and/or oral mask interface which creates a seal, avoiding the use of more invasive airway access (e.g., tracheostomy).

A respiratory assist device (RAD) without backup rate delivers adjustable, variable levels (within a single respiratory cycle) of positive air pressure by way of tubing and a non-invasive interface (such as a nasal or oral facial mask) to assist spontaneous respiratory efforts and supplement the volume of inspired air into the lungs.

A RAD with backup rate delivers adjustable, variable levels (within a single respiratory cycle) of positive air pressure by way of tubing and a non-invasive interface (such as a nasal or oral facial mask) to assist spontaneous respiratory efforts and supplement the volume of inspired air into the lungs.

A RAD may be considered medically necessary for the first three (3) months of therapy for individuals with Restrictive Thoracic Disorders that meet the following criteria:

• Individual has presence of a neuromuscular disease (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or a severe thoracic cage abnormality (e.g., post-thoracoplasty for TB); and
  • An arterial blood gas PaCO2, done while awake and breathing the patient’s prescribed FIO2, is greater than or equal to 45 mm Hg; or
  • Sleep oximetry demonstrates oxygen saturation level is equal to or less than 88% for at least five (5) minutes, done while breathing the patient’s prescribed fractional concentration of oxygen delivered for inspiration (FIO2); or
• Individual has presence of neuromuscular disease (only):
  • Maximal inspiratory pressure is less than 60 cm H2O or forced vital capacity is less than 50% predicted; and
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) does not contribute significantly to the patient’s pulmonary limitation.

Procedure Codes

A RAD may be considered medically necessary for the first three (3) months of therapy for individuals with severe COPD that meet ALL of the following criteria:

• An arterial blood gas PaCO2, done while awake and breathing the individual’s prescribed FIO2, is equal to or greater than 52 mm Hg; and
• Sleep oximetry demonstrates oxygen saturation level equal to or less than 88% for at least five (5) minutes, done while breathing oxygen at two (2) liters per minute (LPM) or the patient’s prescribed FIO2, whichever is higher; and
• Prior to initiating therapy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been considered and ruled out.

If a RAD with backup rate is billed, but the criteria for a RAD without backup rate device are met, payment will be based on the RAD without backup rate.

A RAD with backup rate device will be considered not medically necessary for an individual with COPD during the first two (2) months.

Note: Therapy with a RAD without back-up device with proper adjustments of the settings, and individual accommodation to its use, will usually result in sufficient improvement without need of a back-up rate.

A RAD with back-up device may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria have been met:

• The individual has used an RAD without back-up for sixty-one (61) days; and
• An arterial blood gas PaCO2 is repeated while the individual is awake and breathing their prescribed FIO2 and the level remains 52 mm Hg; and
• A sleep oximetry, while the individual is breathing with the RAD without back-up device demonstrates O2 saturation of less than 88% for at least five (5) continuous minutes, done while breathing oxygen at two (2) LPM or the individual’s prescribed FIO2, whichever is higher.

Procedure Codes

A RAD may be considered medically necessary for the first three (3) months of therapy for those individuals with central sleep apnea (CSA) that have had an attended polysomnogram, performed on stationary equipment and meet ALL of the following criteria:

• The diagnosis of CSA; and
• The exclusion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as the predominant cause of sleep-associated hypoventilation; and
• The ruling out of CPAP as effective therapy if OSA is a component of the sleep-associated hypoventilation; and
• Significant improvement of the sleep-associated hypoventilation with the use of either RAD device on the settings that will be prescribed for initial use at home, while breathing the patient’s prescribed FIO2.

Procedure Codes

Heated and non-heated humidification may be considered medically necessary when prescribed by the treating physician to meet the needs of the individual and when the RAD meets the above criteria.

Procedure Codes

Non-invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV) System

Non-invasive open ventilation (NIOV) system is considered experimental/investigational and therefore non-covered. The safety and/or effectiveness of this service cannot be established by review of the available published peer-reviewed literature.

Procedure Code

If the above criteria are not met, the device and related accessories (see Table below) are considered not medically necessary.

For coverage beyond the initial three (3) months of therapy, medical necessity of continued coverage of these devices must occur within 61 to 90 days from the date the therapy was initiated.

Quantities of supplies greater than those identified, as the usual maximum amounts are considered not medically necessary.

A physician must prescribe ALL equipment and accessory durable medical equipment.

See below for accessory quantity level limits.

* Allows for a 10 day delivery before run-out

** Allowing for a 3 month supply

Total payments for a rental items may not exceed its allowable purchase price, except for those items identified as life-sustaining DME.

For the purpose of this policy, arterial blood gas, sleep oximetry, and polysomnographic studies may not be performed by a DME supplier. A DME supplier is not considered a qualified provider or supplier of these tests for purposes of this policy’s coverage and payment guidelines. This prohibition does not extend to the results of studies conducted by hospitals certified to do such tests.

Refer to Medical Policy Devices Used for the Treatment of Sleep Apnea in Adults for additional information.

Diagnosis Codes

Covered Diagnosis Codes for Procedure Codes E0470 and E0471