HYPERTHERMIA THE801.007 ______COVERAGE:

Local MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE when used in combination with for the treatment of patients with primary or metastatic cutaneous or subcutaneous superficial malignancies and who have not responded to previous therapy or are not candidates for conventional therapy.

Local hyperthermia when used alone or in combination with IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE as it is considered investigational.

Whole body in the treatment of malignancies IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE as it is considered investigational. ______DESCRIPTION:

HYPERTHERMIA is an abnormally high body temperature, especially that induced for therapeutic purposes. Hyperthermia can be administered using local and whole body techniques.

· Local hyperthermia involves elevating the temperature of superficial or subcutaneous tumors while sparing surrounding normal tissue, using either external (e.g. superficial and deep heating applied to tumors on or near the skin surface) or interstitial (e.g. heat applied to spaces or tumors within a tissue or organ) modalities.

· Whole body hyperthermia requires the patient to be placed under either general anesthesia or deep sedation. The patient's body temperature is raised to 108 degrees F by packing the patient in hot water blankets or a hyperthermia suit and allowing hot water to flow through the wrap. The elevated body temperature is maintained for a period of four (4) hours while the essential body functions are closely monitored. Approximately one hour is required for a "cooling off" period after which the patient is constantly monitored for a minimum of twelve hours. ______RATIONALE:

None ______DISCLAIMER:

State and federal law, as well as contract language, including definitions and specific inclusions/exclusions, takes precedence over Medical Policy and must be considered first in determining coverage. The member’s contract benefits in effect on the date that services are rendered must be used. Any benefits are subject to the payment of premiums for the date on which services are rendered. Medical technology is constantly evolving, and we reserve the right to review and update Medical Policy periodically. HMO Blue Texas physicians who are contracted/affiliated with a capitated IPA/medical group must contact the IPA/medical group for information regarding HMO claims/reimbursement information and other general polices and procedures. ______Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company* Southwest Texas HMO, Inc.* d/b/a HMO BlueÒ Texas * Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ______Posted Jan. 7, 2003