Measurement of novel lipid and non-lipid risk factors (i.e., apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein E, B-type natriuretic peptide, cystatin C, leptin, LDL subclass, HDL subclass, lipoprotein[a]) are considered experimental/investigational as an adjunct to LDL cholesterol in the risk assessment and management of cardiovascular disease. The available scientific evidence does not provide adequate data to establish that the use of panels that include lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk markers improve outcomes when used in clinical care. A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for the denied service.

Description

Non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease are used increasingly to determine patient risk, in part because of an assumption that many patients with cardiovascular disease lack traditional risk factors (e.g., cigarette smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension).

Risk factors other than LDL cholesterol are referred to as “emerging risk factors” and include a variety of tests such as serum inflammatory markers, comprehensive lipoprotein testing, angiotensin gene testing and prothrombotic factors.

Numerous cardiovascular (CV) risk panels are commercially available. These panels report results for multiple individual CV risk markers, and have wide variability in the risk factors included in the panel.  Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) have been identified as the major atherogenic lipoproteins and have long been identified by the National Cholesterol Education Project (NCEP) as the primary target of cholesterol- lowering therapy. LDL particles consist of a surface coat composed of phospholipids, free cholesterol, and apolipoproteins surrounding an inner lipid core composed of cholesterol ester and triglycerides. Traditional lipid risk factors such as LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), while predictive on a population basis, are weaker markers of risk on an individual basis. Only a minority of subjects with elevated LDL and cholesterol levels will develop clinical disease, and up to 50% of cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) occur in subjects with ‘normal’ levels of total and LDL-C. Thus, there is considerable potential to improve the accuracy of current cardiovascular risk prediction models.

NOTE:

This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.

This medical policy may not apply to FEP. Medical policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits, or a contract. Benefits are determined by the Federal Employee Program.

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