Allergy Immunotherapy - Sublingual Immunotherapy
DESCRIPTION
Sublingual immunotherapy involves the administration of antigen drops under the tongue. The antigen drops are administered in gradually increasing doses in an effort to build up individual tolerance to the allergy-causing substance.
POLICY
Sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergies is considered investigational.
See also: General Policy for Allergy Testing and Treatment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is a lack of published data comparing the health outcomes of sublingual immunotherapy with current standards of practice or to permit conclusion on the outcomes of this therapy.
Sublingual immunotherapy does not meet the following technology evaluation criteria:
The scientific evidence must permit conclusions concerning the effect of the technology on health outcomes.
The technology must improve the net health outcome.
The technology must be as beneficial as any established alternatives.
The improvement must be attainable outside the investigational settings.
SOURCES
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, (2001, January). Immunotherapy. Retrieved March 17, 2006 from http://www.aaaai.org/aadmc/ate/category.asp?cat=1079&s=70&keywords=.
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Medical Policy Reference Manual. (3:2005). Allergy immunotherapy (2.01.17). Retrieved March 17, 2006 from BlueWeb.
Complete Guide to Medicare Coverage Issues [Computer software]. (2005, March). Antigens prepared for sublingual administration (NCD 110.9, p. 95). St. Anthony Publishing.
Health Technology Assessment Information Service. Hotline Response. (2005, April). Specific allergen immunotherapy (SIT). Retrieved March 17, 2006 from ECRI HTAIS.
The Technology Evaluation Center. (2003, June). Sublingual immunotherapy for adults (Vol. 18, No. 4). Chicago: BlueCross BlueShield Association.
Wilson DR, Torres Lima M, Durham SR. Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002893. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002893.
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EFFECTIVE DATE |
5/25/2006 |
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