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Berinert® (C1 Esterase Inhibitor, Human)

Policy Number: PH-90018

Intravenous

Last Review Date: 08/05/2025 Date of Origin: 11/28/2011

Dates Reviewed: 12/2011, 01/2013, 08/2013, 06/2014, 09/2014, 03/2015, 06/2015, 09/2015, 12/2015, 03/2016, 06/2016, 09/2016, 12/2016, 03/2017, 06/2017, 09/2017, 12/2017, 03/2018, 06/2018, 10/2018,

10/2019, 03/2020, 10/2020, 10/2021, 10/2022, 04/2023, 10/2023, 08/2024, 08/2025

 

 

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 12 weeks.
    • Renewal*: Prior authorization validity may be renewed every 12 weeks thereafter.

*The cumulative amount of medication(s) the patient has on-hand, indicated for the acute treatment of HAE, will be taken into account when authorizing. The authorization will provide a sufficient quantity in order for the patient to have a cumulative amount of HAE medication(s) on-hand in order to treat up to 4 acute attacks per 4 weeks for the duration of the authorization.

  1. Dosing Limits

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

    • 1000 billable units per 28 days

 

  1. Initial Approval Criteria 1

 

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.
 
   

 

Coverage is provided in the following conditions:

Universal Criteria 1,13,20

 

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.

  • Must be prescribed by, or in consultation with, a specialist in allergy, immunology, hematology, pulmonology, or medical genetics; AND

 

    • Will not be used in combination with another agent indicated for the treatment of acute attacks (i.e., Firazyr [icatibant], Kalbitor [ecallantide], Ruconest [C1 esterase inhibitor, recombinant]); NOTE: Requests for combination duplicate therapy may be appropriate in some situations and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; AND
    • Confirmation the patient is avoiding the following possible triggers for HAE attacks:
      • Estrogen-containing oral contraceptive agents AND hormone replacement therapy; AND
      • Antihypertensive agents containing ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs);

AND

      • Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin); AND
      • Neprilysin inhibitors (e.g., sacubitril); AND

Treatment of acute abdominal, facial, or laryngeal attacks of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) † Ф 1,13,20,21,22

    • Patient has a history of moderate to severe cutaneous attacks (without concomitant urticaria) OR abdominal attacks OR mild to severe airway swelling attacks of HAE (i.e. debilitating cutaneous/gastrointestinal symptoms OR laryngeal/pharyngeal/tongue swelling); AND
    • Patient has one of the following clinical presentations consistent with a HAE subtype§, which must be confirmed by repeat blood testing (treatment for acute attack should not be delayed for confirmatory testing):

 

HAE I (C1-Inhibitor deficiency) § 13,20,21,22
  • Low C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) antigenic level (C1-INH antigenic level below the lower limit of normal as defined by the laboratory performing the test); AND
  • Low C4 level (C4 below the lower limit of normal as defined by the laboratory performing the test); AND
  • Low C1-INH functional level (C1-INH functional level below the lower limit of normal as defined by the laboratory performing the test); AND
    • Patient has a family history of HAE; OR
    • Acquired angioedema has been ruled out (i.e., patient onset of symptoms occurs prior to 30 years of age, normal C1q levels, patient does not have underlying disease such as lymphoma or benign monoclonal gammopathy [MGUS], etc.)

HAE II (C1-Inhibitor dysfunction) § 20,22

  • Normal to elevated C1-INH antigenic level; AND
  • Low C4 level (C4 below the lower limit of normal as defined by the laboratory performing the test); AND
  • Low C1-INH functional level (C1-INH functional level below the lower limit of normal as defined by the laboratory performing the test)

HAE with normal C1INH (also known as HAE III) § 20,21,22
  • Normal to near normal C1-INH antigenic level; AND
  • Normal to near normal C4 level; AND
  • Normal to near normal C1-INH functional level; AND
  • Repeat blood testing during an attack has confirmed the patient does not have abnormal lab values indicative of HAE I or HAE II; AND
  • Either of the following:
    • Patient has a known HAE-causing mutation (e.g., mutation of coagulation factor XII gene [F12 mutation], mutation in the angiopoietin-1 gene, mutation in the plasminogen gene, mutation in the kininogen 1 gene, mutation in the myoferlin gene, mutation in the heparan sulfate-glucosamine 3-O- sulfotransferase 6 gene, etc.); OR
    • Patient has a family history of HAE and documented lack of efficacy of chronic high-dose antihistamine therapy (e.g. cetirizine standard dosing at up to four times daily or an alternative equivalent, given for at least one month or an interval long enough to expect three or more angioedema attacks)

† FDA Approved Indication(s); ‡ Compendia Recommended Indication(s); Ф Orphan Drug

  1. Renewal Criteria 1

Coverage can be renewed based upon the following criteria:

    • Patient continues to meet the universal and other indication-specific relevant criteria identified in section III; AND
    • Significant improvement in severity and duration of attacks has been achieved and sustained;

AND

    • Absence of unacceptable toxicity from the drug. Examples of unacceptable toxicity include: severe hypersensitivity reactions, serious thromboembolic events (arterial or venous), etc.; AND
    • The cumulative amount of medication(s) the patient has on-hand, indicated for the acute treatment of HAE, will be taken into account when authorizing. The authorization will provide a sufficient quantity in order for the patient to have a cumulative amount of HAE medication(s) on- hand in order to treat up to 4 acute attacks per 4 weeks for the duration of the authorization.
  2. Dosage/Administration 1

Indication

Dose

Treatment of Acute Hereditary

Administer 20 international units (IU) per kg body weight by intravenous injection.

**Note: Patients may self-administer Berinert upon recognition of symptoms of an HAE attack after being instructed by their healthcare provider.

Angioedema (HAE) attack

  1. Billing Code/Availability Information

HCPCS Code:

    • J0597 – Injection, c-1 esterase inhibitor (human), berinert, 10 units; 1 billable unit = 10 units NDC:
    • Berinert 500 IU single-dose carton kit (containing a single-dose vial of Berinert and a 10 mL vial of Sterile Water for Injection): 63833-0825-xx
    • Berinert 500 IU single-dose vial: 63833-0835-xx

  1. References
  1. Berinert [package insert]. Kankakee, IL; CSL Behring LLC; September 2021. Accessed June 2025.
  2. Wasserman RL, Levy RJ, Bewtra AK, et al. Prospective Study of C1 Esterase Inhibitor in the Treatment of Successive Acute Abdominal and Facial Hereditary Angioedema Attacks. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 2011, 106(1):62-8.
  3. Bowen T, Cicardi M, Farkas H, et al. Canadian 2003 International Consensus Algorithm For the Diagnosis, Therapy, and Management of Hereditary Angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Sep;114(3):629-37.
  4. Bygum A, Andersen KE, Mikkelsen CS. Self-administration of intravenous C1-inhibitor therapy for hereditary angioedema and associated quality of life benefits. Eur J Dermatol. Mar-Apr 2009;19(2):147-151.
  5. Bowen T, Cicardi M, Farkas H, et al. 2010 International consensus algorithm for the diagnosis, therapy and management of hereditary angioedema. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2010;6(1):24.
  6. Craig T, Aygören-Pürsün E, Bork K, et al. WAO Guideline for the Management of Hereditary Angioedema. World Allergy Organ J. 2012 Dec;5(12):182-99.
  7. Gompels MM, Lock RJ, Abinun M, et al. C1 inhibitor deficiency: consensus document. Clin Exp Immunol. 2005;139(3):379.
  8. Betschel S, Badiou J, Binkley K, et al. Canadian hereditary angioedema guideline. Asthma Clin Immunol. 2014 Oct 24;10(1):50. doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-10-50.
  9. Zuraw BL, Bernstein JA, Lang DM, et al. A focused parameter update: hereditary angioedema, acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jun;131(6):1491-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.03.034.

 
  1. Zuraw BL, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, et al. US Hereditary Angioedema Association Medical Advisory Board 2013 recommendations for the management of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013 Sep-Oct;1(5):458-67.
  2. Frank MM, Zuraw B, Banerji A, et al. Management of children with Hereditary Angioedema due to C1 Inhibitor deficiency. Pediatrics. 2016 Nov. 135(5)
  3. Zuraw BL, Bork K, Binkley KE, et al. Hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor function: Consensus of an international expert panel. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2012;33 Suppl 1:145-156.
  4. Maurer M, Mager M, Ansotegui I, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema-The 2017 revision and update. Allergy. 2018 Jan 10. doi: 10.1111/all.13384.
  5. Lang DM, Aberer W, Bernstein JA, et al. International consensus on hereditary and acquired angioedema. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012;109:395-402.
  6. Wintenberger C, Boccon-Gibod I, Launay D, et al. Tranexamic acid as maintenance treatment for non-histaminergic angioedema: analysis of efficacy and safety in 37 patients. Clin Exp Immunol. 2014 Oct; 178(1): 112–117.
  7. Saule C, Boccon-Gibod I, Fain O, et al. Benefits of progestin contraception in non-allergic angioedema. Clin Exp Allergy. 2013 Apr;43(4):475-82.
  8. Frank MM, Sergent JS, Kane MA, et al. Epsilon aminocaproic acid therapy of hereditary angioneurotic edema; a double-blind study. N Engl J Med. 1972:286:808-812.
  9. Craig TJ, Levy RJ, Wasserman RL, et al. Efficacy of human C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate compared with placebo in acute hereditary angioedema attacks. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124(4):801-808.
  10. Craig TJ, Bewtra AK, Bahna SL, et al. C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate in 1085 Hereditary Angioedema attacks--final results of the I.M.P.A.C.T.2 study. Allergy. 2011;66(12):1604-1611.
  11. Betschel S, Badiou J, Binkley K, et al. The International/Canadian Hereditary Angioedema Guideline. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2019; 15: 72. Published online 2019 Nov 25. doi: 10.1186/s13223-019-0376-8.
  12. Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, et al. US HAEA Medical Advisory Board 2020 Guidelines for the Management of Hereditary Angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Jan;9(1):132-150.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.046.
  13. Maurer M, Magerl M, Betschel S, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema – The 2021 revision and update. Allergy. 2021 Nov 22. doi: 10.1111/all.15214

Appendix 1 – Covered Diagnosis Codes

ICD-10

ICD-10 Description

D84.1

Defects in the complement system

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/LCD/LCA): 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