1.0 HCPCS CODES
A7025, A7026, E0480 - E0484,
S8185
2.0 DESCRIPTION
2.1 Mucus
clearance devices are designed to clear mucus secretions from the
lungs of patients with mucociliary clearance impairment.
2.2 Some mucus clearance devices
resemble a combination of a smoker’s pipe and a referee’s whistle.
It consists of a hardened plastic mouthpiece at one end, a plastic
perforated cover at the opposite end, and a valve on the inside
created by a high-density stainless steel ball resting in a plastic
circular cone.
2.3 Other bronchial drainage systems
include an air oscillator and an inflatable vest and uses high-frequency chest
wall oscillations, which also clear mucus from the airway wall.
This type of system is a mechanical form of Chest Physical Therapy
(CPT) used as an alternative to conventional CPT in patients with
Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
3.0 POLICY
3.1 Mucus
clearance devices may be cost-shared for beneficiaries with mucus
producing lung diseases, including, but not limited to CF and Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (which encompasses both chronic
bronchitis and emphysema), and for beneficiaries with secretory
impairment that requires mucus clearance.
3.2 The mucus
clearance device used must be United States (US) Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approved. Coverage can only begin effective the date of FDA
approval.
3.3 Intrapulmonary
Percussive Ventilation (IPV) (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding
System (HCPCS) code E0481) may be considered for cost-sharing when
the diagnosis is CF.