Hypertriglyceridemia: when insurers say no, reviewers often say yes

Where the denial was overturned

Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: The patient is a female with bilateral leg discomfort, swelling, and weakness; left leg greater than right. Per the records, she has used compression stockings. The patient has not had a deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. A venous duplex ultrasound showed left great saphenous vein reflux and right deep venous reflux. The patient has hyperlipidemia. The records noted an elevated triglyceride level of 575 on. She has had elevated homocysteine levels and is pre-diabetic. The patient has been treated with fenofibrate. The patient has requested coverage for Vascepa and left great saphenous vein ablation. The Health Plan denied the requests and reported the requested medication and requested services are not medically necessary for the treatment of this patient.

Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: An enrollee has requested Vascepa for treatment of her hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Findings: The physician reviewer found that per the submitted records, this patient is at risk for coronary heart disease. The patient’s laboratory report includes very high triglycerides, and increased liver enzyme tests while on low intensity statin medication. In this circumstance where a patient presents with very high triglycerides, in spite of maximum tolerated statin medication, additional treatment to reduce triglyceride levels is clinically reasonable and appropriate. Standard accepted practice in the medical community supports treatment options of medications which are directed at reducing triglycerides. These medications include fibrates, nicotinic acid, and fish oil.

Where the denial was upheld

Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: An enrollee has requested authorization and coverage for Vascepa for treatment of the enrollee who has a history of coronary artery disease and dyslipidemia. Findings: The physician reviewer found that there is a lack of support in the documentation provided for the requested medication in this clinical setting. In this circumstance, treatment of hypertriglyceridemia is being considered to help reduced overall cardiovascular risk. Randomized trials have not directly compared most agents for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

The patient has requested authorization and coverage for the brand name medication Tricor. The patient has been diagnosed with mixed hyperlipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Researchers reported in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglycerides greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL and especially fasting triglycerides greater than or equal to 1000 mg/dL), it is reasonable to identify and address other causes of hypertriglyceridemia, and if triglycerides are persistently elevated or increasing, to further reduce triglycerides by implementation of a very low-fat diet, avoidance of refined carbohydrates and alcohol, consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, and, if necessary to prevent acute pancreatitis, fibrate therapy. Medical literature noted that in patients with severe or very severe hypertriglyceridemia, a fibrate should be used as a first-line agent.

These outcomes come from California’s external review program — an independent physician panel whose decision binds the insurer. Every state has an equivalent, and internal appeals succeed even more often. If your care for hypertriglyceridemia was denied, the published record says the denial is worth fighting.