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Practice Guidelines

Preventive and clinical practice guidelines are based on the health needs and opportunities for improvement identified as part of the Quality Assurance Program Improvement (QAPI) program. Whenever possible, Care1st adopts preventive and clinical practice guidelines that are published by nationally recognized organizations or government institutions as well as state-wide collaborative and/or a consensus of healthcare professionals in the applicable field.

Clinical Policies

Clinical policies are one set of guidelines used to assist in administering health plan benefits, either by prior authorization or payment rules.  They include but are not limited to policies relating to evolving medical technologies and procedures, as well as pharmacy policies.  Clinical policies help identify whether services are medically necessary based on information found in generally accepted standards of medical practice; peer-reviewed medical literature; government agency/program approval status; evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations; views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas affected by the policy; and other available clinical information. 

Care1st Health Plan Arizona utilizes InterQual® criteria for those medical technologies, procedures, or pharmaceutical treatments for which a Care1st Health Plan Arizona clinical policy does not exist.  InterQual is a nationally recognized evidence-based decision support tool.  You may access the InterQual® SmartSheet(s)™ for Adult and Pediatric procedures, durable medical equipment, and imaging procedures by logging into the secure provider portal or by calling Care1st Health Plan Arizona. In addition, Care1st Health Plan Arizona may from time-to-time delegate utilization management of specific services; in such circumstances, the delegated vendor’s guidelines may also be used to support medical necessity and other coverage determinations. Other non-clinical policies (e.g., payment policies) or contract terms may further determine whether a technology, procedure or treatment that is not addressed in the Clinical Policy Manuals or InterQual criteria is payable by Care1st Health Plan Arizona.   

The Policies do not constitute authorization or guarantee of coverage of any procedure, drug, service, or supply. Members and providers should refer to the Member contract to determine if exclusions, limitations, and dollar caps apply to a particular procedure, drug, service, or supply. To the extent there are any conflicts between medical policy guidelines and applicable contract language, the contract language prevails. Medical policy is not intended to override the policy that defines the Member's benefits, nor is it intended to dictate to providers how to practice medicine. The health plan reserves the right to amend the Policies without notice to providers or Members.

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Member Services and ask to be directed to the Medical Management department.

The Clinical Policy Manuals may be accessed through the links below.

POLICY TITLEPOLICY NUMBER
25-hydroxyvitamin D Testing in Children and Adolescents (PDF)CP.MP.157
Acupuncture (PDF)CP.MP.92
Adopted Clinical Practice and Preventive Health Guidelines (PDF)CPG Grid 
Air Ambulance (PDF)CP.MP.175
Allergy Testing and Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.100
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplants for Sickle Cell Anemia and β-Thalassemia (PDF)CP.MP.108
Applied Behavior Analysis (PDF)CP.BH.104
Articular Cartilage Defect Repairs (PDF)CP.MP.26
Assisted Reproductive Technology (PDF)CP.MP.55
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Treatment (PDF)CP.MP.124
Bariatric Surgery (PDF)CP.MP.37
Behavioral Health Treatment Documentation Requirements (PDF)CP.BH.500
Biofeedback (PDF)CP.MP.168
Biofeedback for Behavioral Health Disorders (PDF)CP.BH.300
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (PDF)CP.MP.93
Bronchial Thermoplasty (PDF)CP.MP.110
Burn Surgery (PDF)CP.MP.186
Cardiac Biomarker Testing (PDF)CP.MP.156
Caudal or Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections (PDF)CP.MP.164
Clinical Trials (PDF)CP.MP.94
Cochlear Implant Replacements (PDF)CP.MP.14
Concert Genetic Testing: Aortopathies and Connective Tissue Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Cardiac Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Dermatologic Conditions (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Epilepsy, Neurodegenerative, and Neuromuscular Conditions (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Exome and Genome Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Eye Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Gastroenterologic Disorders (non-cancerous) (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: General Approach to Genetic and Molecular Testing (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Hearing Loss (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Hematologic Conditions (non-cancerous) (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Hereditary Cancer Susceptibility (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Immune, Autoimmune, and Rheumatoid Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Kidney Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Lung Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Metabolic, Endocrine, and Mitochondrial Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Multisystem Inherited Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Delay (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Pharmacogenetics (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Prenatal and Preconception Carrier Screening (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Prenatal Diagnosis (via Amniocentesis, CVS or PUBS) and Pregnancy Loss (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetic Testing: Skeletal Dysplasia and Rare Bone Disorders (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetics Oncology: Algorithmic Testing (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetics Oncology: Cancer Screening (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetics Oncology: Circulating Tumor DNA and Circulating Tumor Cells (Liquid Biopsy) (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetics Oncology: Cytogenetic Testing (PDF)V2.2024
Concert Genetics Oncology: Molecular Analysis of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies (PDF)V2.2024
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures (PDF)CP.MP.31
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (PDF)CP.BH.201
Diaphragmatic/Phrenic Nerve Stimulation (PDF)CP.MP.203
Digital EEG Spike Analysis (PDF)CP.MP.105
Disc Decompression Procedures (PDF)CP.MP.114
Discography (PDF)CP.MP.115
Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (PDF)CP.MP.101
Drugs of Abuse: Definitive Testing (PDF)CP.MP.50
Durable Medical Equipment and Orthotics and Prosthetics Guidelines (PDF)CP.MP.107
EEG in the Evaluation of Headache (PDF)CP.MP.155
Electric Tumor Treating Fields (Optune) (PDF)CP.MP.145
Endometrial Ablation (PDF)CP.MP.106
Evoked Potential Testing (PDF)CP.MP.134
Experimental Technologies (PDF)CP.MP.36
Facet Joint Interventions (PDF)CP.MP.171
Facility-based Sleep Studies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (PDF)CP.MP.248
Fecal Incontinence Treatments (PDF)CP.MP.137
Fertility Preservation (PDF)CP.MP.130
Fetal Surgery in Utero for Prenatally Diagnosed Malformations (PDF)CP.MP.129
Functional MRI (PDF)CP.MP.43
Gastric Electrical Stimulation (PDF)CP.MP.40
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Nucleic Acid Detection Panel Testing (PDF)CP.MP.209
Gender-Affirming Procedures (PDF)CP.MP.95
Heart-Lung Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.132
Helicobacter Pylori Serology Testing (PDF)CP.MP.153
Holter Monitors (PDF)CP.MP.113
Home Births (PDF)CP.MP.136
Home Ventilators (PDF)CP.MP.184
Homocysteine Testing (PDF)CP.MP.121
Hospice Services (PDF)CP.MP.54
Hyperhidrosis Treatments (PDF)CP.MP.62
Implantable Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (PDF)CP.MP.180
Implantable Intrathecal or Epidural Pain Pump (PDF)CP.MP.173
Implantable Loop Recorder (PDF)CP.MP.243
Implantable Wireless Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring (PDF)CP.MP.160
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (PDF)CP.MP.69
Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.58
Intradiscal Steroid Injections for Pain Management (PDF)CP.MP.167
IV Moderate Sedation, IV Deep Sedation, and General Anesthesia for Dental Procedures (PDF)CP.MP.61
Lantidra (donislecel): Allogeneic Pancreatic Islet Cellular Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.250
Laser Therapy for Skin Conditions (PDF)CP.MP.123
Liposuction for Lipedema (PDF)CP.MP.244
Long Term Care Placement (PDF)CP.MP.71
Low-Frequency Ultrasound and Noncontact Normothermic Wound Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.139
Lung Transplantation (PDF)CP.MP.57
Lysis of Epidural Lesions (PDF)CP.MP.116
Measurement of Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (PDF)CP.MP.152
Mechanical Stretching Devices for Joint Stiffness and Contracture (PDF)CP.MP.144
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (PDF)CP.MP.24
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Guidelines (PDF)CP.MP.86
Neonatal Sepsis Management (PDF)CP.MP.85
Nerve Blocks and Neurolysis for Pain Management (PDF)CP.MP.170
Neuromuscular and Peroneal Nerve Electrical Stimulation (NMES) (PDF)CP.MP.48
NICU Apnea Bradycardia Guidelines (PDF)CP.MP.82
NICU Discharge Guidelines (PDF)CP.MP.81
Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants (PDF)CP.MP.141
Obstetrical Home Care Programs (PDF)CP.MP.91
Omisirge (omidubicel): Nicotinamide-Modified Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.249
Orthognathic Surgery (PDF)CP.MP.202
Osteogenic Stimulation (PDF)CP.MP.194
Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation (PDF)CP.MP.176
Outpatient Oxygen Use (PDF)CP.MP.190
Pancreas Transplantation (PDF)CP.MP.102
Panniculectomy (PDF)CP.MP.109
Pediatric Heart Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.138
Pediatric Kidney Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.246
Pediatric Liver Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.120
Pediatric Oral Function Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.188
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention (PDF)CP.MP.147
Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia (PDF)CP.MP.150
Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Services (PDF)CP.MP.49
Polymerase Chain Reaction Respiratory Viral Panel Testing (PDF)CP.MP.181
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Voiding Dysfunction (PDF)CP.MP.133
Proton and Neutron Beam Therapies (PDF)CP.MP.70
Pulmonary Function Testing (PDF)CP.MP.242
Radial Head Implant (PDF)CP.MP.148
Reduction Mammoplasty and Gynecomastia Surgery (PDF)CP.MP.51
Repair of Nasal Valve Compromise (PDF)CP.MP.210
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (PDF)CP.MP.126
Sacroiliac Joint Interventions for Pain Management (PDF)CP.MP.166
Sclerotherapy and Chemical Endovenous Ablation for Varicose Veins and Other Symptomatic Venous Disorders (PDF)CP.MP.146
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy for Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy (PDF)CP.MP.174
Selective Nerve Root Blocks and Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections (PDF)CP.MP.165
Sepsis Diagnosis (PDF)CC.PP.073
Severe Malnutrition (PDF)CC.PP.145
Short Inpatient Hospital Stay (PDF)CP.MP.182
Skilled Nursing Facility Leveling (PDF)CC.PP.206
Skin and Soft Tissue Substitutes for Chronic Wounds (PDF)CP.MP.185
Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerve, and Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PDF)CP.MP.117
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (PDF)CP.MP.22
Tandem Transplant (PDF)CP.MP.162
Testing for Select Genitourinary Conditions (PDF)CP.MP.97
Therapeutic Utilization of Inhaled Nitric Oxide (PDF)CP.MP.87
Thyroid Hormones and Insulin Testing in Pediatrics (PDF)CP.MP.154
Total Artificial Heart (PDF)CP.MP.127
Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (PDF)CP.MP.163
Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale (PDF)CP.MP.151
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Major Depression (PDF)CP.BH.200
Transplant Service Documentation Requirements (PDF)CP.MP.247
Trigger Point Injections for Pain Management (PDF)CP.MP.169
Ultrasound in Pregnancy (PDF)CP.MP.38
Urinary Incontinence Devices and Treatments (PDF)CP.MP.142
Urodynamic Testing (PDF)CP.MP.98
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (PDF)CP.MP.12
Ventricular Assist Devices (PDF)CP.MP.46
Wheelchair Seating (PDF)CP.MP.99
Wireless Motility Capsule (PDF)CP.MP.143