This document addresses the use of home phototherapy and the devices used for the treatment of neonatal jaundice that is physiologic (i.e., non-pathologic) in nature. In utero, the fetus requires larger amounts of hemoglobin for oxygenation.  After birth, when the infant is breathing on its own, the need is reduced and hemoglobin is rapidly destroyed, producing increased levels of bilirubin. Jaundice results when the neonate's liver is unable to efficiently clear the accumulating bilirubin.  Neonatal jaundice is a common occurrence and is frequently treated in the home setting. Infants with very high levels of bilirubin are better managed in the inpatient setting.

Medically Necessary:

Home phototherapy devices for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are considered medically necessary when:

• The infant is ready to be discharged from the hospital or is already discharged; and
• The infant is eating, voiding and stooling well and is alert; and
• The infant's jaundice is in the optional range as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia (Clinical Practice Guideline is available at: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;114/1/297.pdf); and
• The caregiver(s) is compliant and provides a safe environment; and
• Follow-up evaluations are completed by the physician in the office or by nursing visits in the home; and
• Phototherapy equipment used in the home, such as a fiberoptic blanket or band is provided by a durable medical equipment (DME) provider.

Not Medically Necessary:

Home phototherapy devices for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are considered not medically necessary when the criteria above have not been met.

Home phototherapy devices for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are considered not medically necessary when more than one phototherapy device (intensive phototherapy) is used in the home setting.

The following codes for treatments and procedures applicable to this document are included below for informational purposes.  A draft of future ICD-10 Coding (effective 10/01/2014) related to this document, as it might look today, is included below for your reference.  Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code(s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy.  Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.

Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common condition requiring medical attention in newborns. Fifty percent of term neonates and 80% of preterm neonates develop jaundice in the first week of life. The jaundiced skin and sclera in newborns is the result of accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin.  In most infants, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia reflects a normal transitional phenomenon.  However, in some infants, serum bilirubin levels may rise excessively, which can be a cause for concern as unconjugated bilirubin is neurotoxic. Therefore, the presence of neonatal jaundice frequently requires diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

In the hospital setting, phototherapy is delivered by exposing the infant to fluorescent light.  When this type of light source is used, the infant's eyes are protected from the lights with a mask. The infant is positioned in an incubator wearing only a diaper, exposing as much of the infant's skin surface as possible to the light source.  For those infants with very high bilirubin levels, intensive phototherapy may be used. This type of phototherapy employs two light sources such as fluorescent and fiber optic light.

In the home setting, phototherapy is accomplished by using a blanket or a neck ring that emits fiber optic light.  This light is directed below the infant's head and is less intense than fluorescent light; therefore, masking the infant's eyes is not necessary. The infant can also be fed without interrupting therapy. If the serum bilirubin level is rising in spite of home phototherapy, the infant can be treated with intensive phototherapy in the inpatient setting.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline for the Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation (2004) defines "intensive phototherapy" as "irradiance in the blue-green spectrum (wavelengths of approximately 430-490 nm) of at least 30 µW/cm² per nm (measured at the infant's skin directly below the center of the phototherapy unit) and delivered to as much of the infant's surface area as possible."  The guideline indicates: "Because the devices available for home phototherapy may not provide the same degree of irradiance or surface-area exposure as those available in the hospital, home phototherapy should be used only in infants whose bilirubin levels are in the "optional phototherapy" range; it is not appropriate for infants with higher bilirubin concentrations. As with hospitalized infants, it is essential that serum bilirubin levels be monitored regularly".. The guideline also indicates there is no standard for discontinuing phototherapy.  The total serum bilirubin (TSB) level for discontinuing phototherapy depends on the age of the infant when phototherapy is initiated and the cause of the hyperbilirubinemia. Phototherapy is usually discontinued when the serum bilirubin level falls below 13 to 14 mg/dL.

Peer Reviewed Publications:

1. Moerschel SK, Cianciaruso LB, Tracy LR. A practical approach to neonatal jaundice. Am Fam Physician. 2008; 77(9):1255-1262.
2. Tan KL. Comparison of the efficacy of fiberoptic and conventional phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. J Pediatr. 1994; 125(4):607-612.
3. Tan KL. Efficacy of bidirectional fiber-optic phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Pediatrics 1997; 99(5):E13.

Government Agency, Medical Society, and Other Authoritative Publications:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Clinical Practice Guideline. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2004; 114(1):297-316. Available at: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;114/1/297.pdf. Accessed on August 30, 2012.
2. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Neonatal jaundice. Clinical Guideline 98. London, UK: NICE;  May 2010. Available at: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG98/Guidance/pdf/English. Accessed on August 30, 2012.

1. National Institutes of Health. Newborn jaundice. Updated December 1, 2008. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001559.htm. Accessed on August 30, 2012.

BiliBlanket^®
Bili-lite^TM
Hyperbilirubinemia
Neonatal Jaundice
Phototherapy 

The use of specific product names is illustrative only.  It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another, and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available.