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ph-90427

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Ultomiris® (ravulizumab-cwvz)

Policy Number: PH-90427

Intravenous

 

Last Review Date: 09/04/2025

Date of Origin: 02/04/2019

Dates Reviewed: 02/2019, 10/2019, 12/2019, 11/2020, 07/2021, 10/2021, 06/2022, 09/2022, 9/2023, 05/2024, 09/2025

FOR PEEHIP Members Only -Coverage excludes the provider-administered medication(s) outlined in this drug policy from being accessed through a specialty pharmacy. It must be obtained through buy and bill.

  1. Length of Authorization
  • Initial: Prior authorization validity will be provided initially for 6 months.
  • Renewal: Prior authorization validity may be renewed every 12 months thereafter.
  1. Dosing Limits

    Max Units (per dose and over time) [HCPCS Unit]:

  • 300 units on Day 0 followed by 360 units on Day 14 and every 8 weeks thereafter

Submission of supporting clinical documentation (including but not limited to medical records, chart notes, lab results, and confirmatory diagnostics) related to the medical necessity criteria is REQUIRED on all requests for authorizations. Records will be reviewed at the time of submission as part of the evaluation of this request. Please provide documentation related to diagnosis, step therapy, and clinical markers (i.e., genetic, and mutational testing) supporting initiation when applicable. Please provide documentation via direct upload through the PA web portal or by fax. Failure to submit the medical records may result in the denial of the request due to inability to establish medical necessity in accordance with policy guidelines. 

  1. Initial Approval Criteria

Target Agent(s) will be approved when ALL of the following are met:

Depending on member benefits, additional criteria may apply for coverage of this drug in an outpatient facility setting. Verify any Site of Service requirements with the member’s plan and refer to the Voluntary Site of Service Policy or the Mandatory Site of Service Policy for additional information.

  • ONE of the following:
    • The patient has a diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) AND BOTH of the following:
      • The diagnosis was confirmed by flow cytometry with at least 2 independent flow cytometry reagents on at least 2 cell lineages (e.g., RBCs and WBCs) demonstrating that the patient’s peripheral blood cells are deficient in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins (lab tests required); AND
      • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Empaveli (pegcetacoplan), Fabhalta (iptacopan), or Piasky (crovalimab-akkz); OR
    • The patient has a diagnosis of atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) AND BOTH of the following:
      • The diagnosis has been confirmed by ONE of the following: (medical records required)
      • Genetic mutation (e.g., CFH, CD46, CFI, C3, CFB, THBD, CFHR1, CFHR3, CFHR5); OR
      • Antibodies to complement factors; OR
      • A differential diagnosis of complement-mediated HUS has been demonstrated (i.e., screening for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC] for STEC-HUS, pneumococcal culture of blood/sputum/cerebrospinal or pleural fluid for pneumococcal-associated HUS, ADAMTS13 less than 10% activity for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [TTP], screening for defective cobalamin metabolism); AND
      • The patient is negative for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC); OR
    • The patient has a diagnosis of generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) AND ALL of the following:
      • For PEEHIP Members Only: the patient has tried and failed, had an inadequate response or intolerance to, or contraindication to Vyvgart (efgartigimod) or Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) AND Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli); AND
      • The patient has a positive serological test for anti-AChR antibodies (medical records required); AND
      • The patient has a Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification class of II-IVb; AND
      • The patient has a MG-Activities of Daily Living total score of greater than or equal to 6; AND
      • ONE of the following:
      • The patient’s current medications have been assessed and any medications known to exacerbate myasthenia gravis (e.g., beta blockers, procainamide, quinidine, magnesium, anti-programmed death receptor-1 monoclonal antibodies, hydroxychloroquine, aminoglycosides) have been discontinued; OR
      • Discontinuation of the offending agent is NOT clinically appropriate; AND
      • ONE of the following:
      • The patient has tried and had an inadequate response to at least ONE conventional agent used for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (i.e., corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide); OR
      • The patient has an intolerance or hypersensitivity to ONE conventional agent used for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (i.e., corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide); OR
      • The patient has an FDA labeled contraindication to ALL conventional agents used for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (i.e., corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide); OR
      • The patient required chronic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); OR
      • The patient required chronic plasmapheresis/plasma exchange; AND
      • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli), Vyvgart (efgartigimod), Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc), Zilbrysq (zilucoplan), or Imaavy (nipocalimab-aahu); OR
    • The patient has a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) AND ALL of the following:
      • The patient is anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive (lab test required); AND
      • The diagnosis was confirmed by at least ONE of the following:
      • Optic neuritis; OR
      • Acute myelitis; OR
      • Area postrema syndrome: episode of otherwise unexplained hiccups or nausea and vomiting; OR
      • Acute brainstem syndrome; OR
      • Symptomatic narcolepsy or acute diencephalic clinical syndrome with NMOSD-typical diencephalic MRI lesions; OR
      • Symptomatic cerebral syndrome with NMOSD-typical brain lesions; AND
      • The patient has had at least ONE discrete clinical attack of CNS symptoms; AND
      • Alternative diagnoses (e.g., multiple sclerosis, ischemic optic neuropathy) have been ruled out; AND
      • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge), Rituximab, or Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon); OR
    • The patient has another FDA labeled indication for the requested agent and route of administration; AND
  • If the patient has an FDA labeled indication, then ONE of the following:
    • The patient’s age is within FDA labeling for the requested indication for the requested agent; OR
    • There is support for using the requested agent for the patient’s age for the requested indication; AND
  • The prescriber is a specialist in the area of the patient’s diagnosis (e.g., neurologist, hematologist), or the prescriber has consulted with a specialist in the area of the patient’s diagnosis; AND
  • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Soliris (eculizumab), Bkemv (eculizumab-aeeb), or Epysqli (eculizumab-aagh); AND
  • The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent; AND
  • The requested quantity (dose) is within FDA labeled dosing for the requested indication
  1. Renewal Criteria

Target Agent(s) will be approved when ALL of the following are met:

  • The patient was previously approved for the requested agent through the plan’s Medical Drug Review process (Note: patients not previously approved for the requested agent will require initial evaluation review); AND
  • ONE of the following:
    • The patient has a diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) AND BOTH of the following:
  • The patient has had improvements or stabilization with the requested agent (e.g., decreased requirement for RBC transfusions, stabilization/improvement of hemoglobin, reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), stabilization/improvement of symptoms (medical records required); AND
  • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Empaveli (pegcetacoplan), Fabhalta (iptacopan), or Piasky (crovalimab-akkz); OR
  • The patient has a diagnosis of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) AND the patient has had improvements or stabilization with the requested agent (e.g., improved platelet count, reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), stabilization/improvement of renal function) (medical records required); OR
  • The patient has a diagnosis of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) AND BOTH of the following:
    • The patient has had clinical benefit with the requested agent; AND
    • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli), Vyvgart (efgartigimod), Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc), Zilbrysq (zilucoplan), or Imaavy (nipocalimab-aahu); OR
    • The patient has a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) AND BOTH of the following:
    • The patient has had stabilization or improvement with the requested agent (e.g., decreased relapses, improvement or stabilization of vision or paralysis) (medical records required); AND
    • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge), Rituximab, or Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon); OR
      • The patient has a diagnosis other than PNH, aHUS, gMG, or NMOSD AND the patient has had improvement or stabilization with the requested agent (e.g., improvement or stabilization of symptoms) (medical records required); AND
  • The prescriber is a specialist in the area of the patient’s diagnosis (e.g., neurologist, hematologist), or the prescriber has consulted with a specialist in the area of the patient’s diagnosis; AND
  • The patient will NOT be using the requested agent in combination with Soliris (eculizumab), Bkemv (eculizumab-aeeb), or Epysqli (eculizumab-aagh); AND
  • The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent; AND
  • The requested quantity (dose) is within FDA labeled dosing for the requested indication 
  1. Dosage/Administration

Indication

Dose*

All Indications

Dosing for patients not currently on Ultomiris or Eculizumab treatment:

Administer the intravenous doses based on the patient’s body weight. Starting 2 weeks after the loading dose, begin maintenance doses once every 4 weeks or every 8 weeks (depending on body weight)

Indications

Body Weight Range

Loading Dose (mg)

Maintenance Dose (mg)

Dosing Interval

PNH, aHUS

5 kg to <10 kg

600

300

Every 4 weeks

10 kg to <20 kg

600

600

20 kg to <30 kg

900

2,100

Every 8 weeks

30 kg to <40 kg

1,200

2,700

PNH, aHUS, gMG, or NMOSD

40 kg to <60 kg

2,400

3,000

Every 8 weeks

60 kg to <100 kg

2,700

3,300

100 kg or greater

3,000

3,600

Switch Therapy from Eculizumab:

  • At the time of the next scheduled eculizumab dose, provide the weight-based ravulizumab loading dose instead (using the dosing table above)
  • 2 weeks after the ravulizumab loading dose was given, begin the first weight-based ravulizumab maintenance dose (using the dosing table above)

* For supplemental dose therapy after plasma exchange (PE), plasmapheresis (PP), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), please refer to the ravulizumab package insert for appropriate dosing.

  1. Billing Code/Availability Information

HCPCS Code:

  • J1303 − Injection, ravulizumab-cwvz, 10 mg; 1 billable unit = 10 mg

NDC(s):

  • Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL single-dose vial for injection: 25682-0025-xx
  • Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL single-dose vial for injection: 25682-0022-xx**
  • Ultomiris 1,100 mg/11 mL single-dose vial for injection: 25682-0028-xx

**Note: This NDC has been discontinued as of 06/11/2021.

  1. References
  1. Ultomiris prescribing information. Alexion. September 2024.
  2. Wincentsen J. MG Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale. Conquer Myasthenia Gravis. Published September 29, 2022. https://myastheniagravis.org/mg-activities-of-daily-living-mg-adl-scale/.
  3. Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder - Symptoms, causes, treatment | NORD. National Organization for Rare Disorders. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/neuromyelitis-optica/.
  4. Narayanaswami P, Sanders DB, Wolfe G, et al. International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis. Neurology. 2021;96(3):114-122. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000011124.
  5. Sahin F, Akay OM, Ayer M, et al. Pesg PNH diagnosis, follow-up and treatment guidelines. PubMed Central (PMC). Published 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981648/.
  6. Wingerchuk DM, Banwell B, Bennett JL, et al. International consensus diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Neurology. 2015;85(2):177-189. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000001729.
  7. Regulatory Workshop on Clinical Trials Designs in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD).; 2015:1-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/report/report-regulatory-workshop-clinical-trials-designs-neuromyelitis-optica-spectrum-disorders_en.pdf.
  8. Raina R, Krishnappa V, Blaha T, et al. Atypical Hemolytic‐Uremic Syndrome: An update on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis. 2018;23(1):4-21. doi:10.1111/1744-9987.12763.
  9. Johnson S, Stojanovic J, Ariceta G, et al. An audit analysis of a guideline for the investigation and initial therapy of diarrhea negative (atypical) hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pediatric Nephrology. 2014;29(10):1967-1978. doi:10.1007/s00467-014-2817-4.
  10. Lee H, Kang E, Kang HG, et al. Consensus regarding diagnosis and management of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine/Korean Journal of Internal Medicine. 2020;35(1):25-40. doi:10.3904/kjim.2019.388.
  11. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Myasthenia Gravis Fact Sheet. NIH Publication No. 17-768. July 2018.
  12. Kümpfel T, Giglhuber K, Aktas O, et al. Update on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) - revised recommendations of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Part II: Attack therapy and long-term management. J Neurol. 2024 Jun;271(6):3702-3707. doi:10.1007/s00415-024-12288-2.
  13. Cançado RD, Da Silva Araújo A, Sandes AF, et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy. 2021;43(3):341-348. doi:10.1016/j.htct.2020.06.006.
  14. Shah N, Bhatt H. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Published July 31, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562292/.

Appendix A – Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTL) Factor Checklist

Non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) refer to the methods, guidelines, standards of evidence, or other conditions that can restrict how long or to what extent benefits are provided under a health plan. These may include things like utilization review or prior authorization. The utilization management NQTL applies comparably, and not more stringently, to mental health/substance use disorder (MH/SUD) Medical Benefit Prescription Drugs and medical/surgical (M/S) Medical Benefit Prescription Drugs. The table below lists the factors that were considered in designing and applying prior authorization to this drug/drug group, and a summary of the conclusions that Prime’s assessment led to for each.

Factor

Conclusion

Indication

Yes: Consider for PA

Safety and efficacy

Yes: Consider for PA

Potential for misuse/abuse

No: PA not a priority

Cost of drug

Yes: Consider for PA

Appendix 1 – Covered Diagnosis Codes

ICD-10

ICD-10 Description

D59.32

Hereditary hemolytic-uremic syndrome

D59.39

Other hemolytic-uremic syndrome

D59.5

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [Marchiafava-Micheli]

G36.0

Neuromyelitis optica [Devic]

G70.00

Myasthenia gravis without (acute) exacerbation

G70.01

Myasthenia gravis with (acute) exacerbation

Appendix 2 – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The preceding information is intended for non-Medicare coverage determinations. Medicare coverage for outpatient (Part B) drugs is outlined in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (Pub. 100-2), Chapter 15, §50 Drugs and Biologicals. In addition, National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and/or Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) may exist and compliance with these policies is required where applicable. Local Coverage Articles (LCAs) may also exist for claims payment purposes or to clarify benefit eligibility under Part B for drugs which may be self-administered. The following link may be used to search for NCD, LCD, or LCA documents: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/search.aspx. Additional indications, including any preceding information, may be applied at the discretion of the health plan.

Medicare Part B Covered Diagnosis Codes (applicable to existing NCD/LCA/LCD): N/A

Medicare Part B Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdictions

Jurisdiction

Applicable State/US Territory

Contractor

E (1)

CA, HI, NV, AS, GU, CNMI

Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC

F (2 & 3)

AK, WA, OR, ID, ND, SD, MT, WY, UT, AZ

Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC

5

KS, NE, IA, MO

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp (WPS)

6

MN, WI, IL

National Government Services, Inc. (NGS)

H (4 & 7)

LA, AR, MS, TX, OK, CO, NM

Novitas Solutions, Inc.

8

MI, IN

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp (WPS)

N (9)

FL, PR, VI

First Coast Service Options, Inc.

J (10)

TN, GA, AL

Palmetto GBA

M (11)

NC, SC, WV, VA (excluding below)

Palmetto GBA

L (12)

DE, MD, PA, NJ, DC (includes Arlington & Fairfax counties and the city of Alexandria in VA)

Novitas Solutions, Inc.

K (13 & 14)

NY, CT, MA, RI, VT, ME, NH

National Government Services, Inc. (NGS)

15

KY, OH

CGS Administrators, LLC