Updates to our coverage of limb compression devices, starting Feb. 1, 2025

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will change the reimbursement for intermittent limb compression devices to only allow for a one-month rental at a time. 

Beginning Feb. 1, 2025, payment for the compression device billed with procedure code E0676 will be limited to rental only for services on or after that date; these devices will no longer be eligible for purchase.
In addition to the change to rental only, accessories and add-on codes will be treated as inclusive of procedure code E0676 because that code is all-inclusive.

Members still need to meet the clinical criteria in our medical policies. A new certificate of medical necessity will be required with each monthly rental claim. The certification must indicate that the patient continues to need the device beyond the 30 days and that other conservative measures have been attempted. Payment for all claims that don’t include the medical necessity requirements will be denied.

For patients who engage in the postsurgical home use of limb compression devices for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, one of the following criteria must be met:

• After major orthopedic procedures in individuals at high risk for bleeding
• After major non-orthopedic or other orthopedic procedures in individuals who are at moderate or high risk of venous thromboembolism with a high risk for bleeding
• After major orthopedic or major non-orthopedic procedures, as an adjunct to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, in individuals who are at extremely high risk for venous thromboembolism

Our policy, Postsurgical Home Use of Limb Compression Devices for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis, provides key measurements to assess the risk of bleeding. Additionally, the policy provides the tools to define the Caprini Score as used to assess the risk of VTE.