As previously communicated in a Partners in Health UpdateSM article, as of July 1, 2019, AIM Specialty Health® (AIM), an independent company, is using updated Clinical Appropriateness Guidelines for Arterial Ultrasound for Independence members.
Independence has contracted with AIM to perform utilization management activities for cardiovascular tests/diagnostic procedures and nonsurgical treatments for obstructive coronary artery disease for our managed care members. AIM uses the Clinical Appropriateness Guidelines for Arterial Ultrasound to determine the medical necessity for these services. To view AIM’s current guidelines, go to the Resources section of AIM’s website.
Summary of the changes
As of July 1, 2019, the following changes were implemented to the Clinical Appropriateness Guidelines for Arterial Ultrasound:
- Duplex Ultrasound Imaging of the Arteries of the Upper Extremities
- Indication added for creation of arteriovenous fistulae for dialysis.
- Duplex Ultrasound Imaging of the Arteries of the Lower Extremities
- A 2016 American College of Cardiology guideline for management of peripheral arterial disease indicates that duplex imaging should be performed only after the decision to revascularize has been made. There is no role for duplex imaging in the initial diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. AIM’s current guideline is not aligned with this position and the proposed changes address that malalignment.
- Language changed to account for the fact that critical limb ischemia should also include individuals with non-healing ulcers and gangrene.
Policies and guidelines
The following policies were posted as Notifications on April 1, 2019, and are effective as of July 1, 2019. These policies include a list of procedure codes and a link to the cardiology guidelines on AIM’s website:
- Commercial: #11.02.27b: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Coronary Angiography and Arterial Ultrasound
- Medicare Advantage: #MA11.113b: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Coronary Angiography and Arterial Ultrasound
To access these medical policies, visit our Medical Policy Portal.