Download Phototherapy for the Treatment of Seasonal Affective

MEDICAL POLICY
SUBJECT: PHOTOTHERAPY FOR THE
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER
POLICY NUMBER: 1.01.24
CATEGORY: Behavioral Health
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

EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/16/99
REVISED DATE: 02/28/01, 02/21/02, 01/16/03, 11/20/03,
12/07/06, 10/24/07, 10/23/08, 10/28/09,
10/28/10, 12/08/11, 10/25/12, 10/24/13,
10/23/14
ARCHIVED: 09/16/04-12/07/06
RE-ARCHIVED DATE: 10/28/15, 10/27/16
PAGE: 1 OF: 5
If a product excludes coverage for a service, it is not covered, and medical policy criteria do not apply.
If a commercial product, including an Essential Plan product, covers a specific service, medical policy criteria
apply to the benefit.
If a Medicare product covers a specific service, and there is no national or local Medicare coverage decision
for the service, medical policy criteria apply to the benefit.
POLICY STATEMENT:
I.
Based on our criteria and assessment of peer-reviewed literature, phototherapy for the treatment of seasonal
affective disorder (SAD) using a high intensity light box (at least 10,000 lux) is considered medically appropriate
for patients who meet the DSM-V criteria for a seasonal affective disorder.
II. Based on our criteria and assessment of peer-reviewed literature, phototherapy for non-seasonal depression has not
been proven to be medically effective and is considered investigational.
III. Based on our criteria and assessment of peer-reviewed literature, use of any other light source (e.g., light visors,
light caps, eyeglass clips, tanning beds) other than a high intensity light box for the treatment of SAD has not been
proven to be effective and is considered investigational.
Refer to Corporate Medical Policy #11.01.03 regarding Experimental and Investigational Services.
POLICY GUIDELINES:
Light therapy boxes are considered durable medical equipment, therefore a durable medical equipment rider/coverage is
required.
DESCRIPTION:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition characterized by recurrent fall and winter depressions alternating with
non-depressed periods in spring and summer. The cardinal clinical criteria for SAD are:
I. History of at least one episode of major depression as defined by Research Diagnostic Criteria;
II. Recurrent fall-winter depressions at least two of which occurred during successive years, separated by nondepressed periods in spring and summer; and
III. No other DSM-V Axis I psychopathology.
SAD is associated with decreases in ambient light exposure during the winter season. Phototherapy, the delivery of
supplemental bright white light by a light box or a head-mounted light visor unit, has been proposed as a treatment for
SAD.
RATIONALE:
Recent studies investigating light therapy have demonstrated that bright light therapy has shown to have a beneficial
effect for patients with SAD. A meta-analysis by RN Golden, et al. (2005) concluded that bright light therapy treatment
is efficacious with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy trials.
A Cochrane review (A Tuunainen, et al. 2004) investigating light therapy for patients suffering from non-seasonal
depression concluded that light therapy offers modest though promising antidepressive efficacy, especially when
administered during the first week of treatment, in the morning, and as an adjunctive treatment to sleep deprivation
responders. Due to limited data and heterogeneity of studies these results need to be interpreted with caution.
Proprietary Information of Excellus Health Plan, Inc.
A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
SUBJECT: PHOTOTHERAPY FOR THE
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER
POLICY NUMBER: 1.01.24
CATEGORY: Behavioral Health
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/16/99
REVISED DATE: 02/28/01, 02/21/02, 01/16/03, 11/20/03,
12/07/06, 10/24/07, 10/23/08, 10/28/09,
10/28/10, 12/08/11, 10/25/12, 10/24/13,
10/23/14
ARCHIVED: 09/16/04-12/07/06
RE-ARCHIVED DATE: 10/28/15, 10/27/16
PAGE: 2 OF: 5
There is insufficient evidence to support the use of light therapy for SAD when delivered by devices other than high
intensity light boxes.
CODES:
Number
Description
Eligibility for reimbursement is based upon the benefits set forth in the member’s subscriber contract.
CODES MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. PLEASE READ THE POLICY AND
GUIDELINES STATEMENTS CAREFULLY.
Codes may not be all inclusive as the AMA and CMS code updates may occur more frequently than policy updates.
CPT:
No specific code(s)
Copyright © 2016 American Medical Association, Chicago, IL
HCPCS:
ICD9:
ICD10:
E0203
Therapeutic light box, minimum 10,000 lux, table top model
A4634
Replacement bulb for therapeutic light box, table top model
296.2
Major depressive disorder, single episode
296.3
Major depressive order, recurrent
296.90
Unspecified affective disorder
296.70
Bipolar affective disorder
300.4
neurotic depression
301.1
Affective personality disorder
311
Depression, NOS
F31.1
Bipolar disorder, current episode hypomanic
F31.3- F31.31
Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, mild or moderate severity (code range)
F31.4-F31.5
Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, with/without psychotic symptoms (code
range)
F31.6-F31.64
Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed (code range)
F31.70-F31.72
F31.75-F31.78
Bipolar disorder, full/partial remission, hypomanic/ depressed/mixed (code range)
F31.9
Bipolar disorder, unspecified
F32.0-F32.9
Major depressive disorder, single episode (code range)
F33.0-F33.9
Major depressive disorder, recurrent (code range)
F34.0-F39
Mood (affective) disorders (code range)
F60.89
Other specific personality disorders
REFERENCES:
American Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder 2nd
edition. [http://www.psych.org/mainmenu/psychiatricpractice/practiceguidelines_1.aspx] accessed 9/18/15.
Proprietary Information of Excellus Health Plan, Inc.
SUBJECT: PHOTOTHERAPY FOR THE
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER
POLICY NUMBER: 1.01.24
CATEGORY: Behavioral Health
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/16/99
REVISED DATE: 02/28/01, 02/21/02, 01/16/03, 11/20/03,
12/07/06, 10/24/07, 10/23/08, 10/28/09,
10/28/10, 12/08/11, 10/25/12, 10/24/13,
10/23/14
ARCHIVED: 09/16/04-12/07/06
RE-ARCHIVED DATE: 10/28/15, 10/27/16
PAGE: 3 OF: 5
*Anderson JL, et al. Lux vs wavelength in light treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2009
Sep;120(3):203-12.
*Avery DH, et al. Dawn stimulation and bright light in the treatment of SAD: a controlled study. Biol Psychiatry 2001
Aug 1;50(3):205-16.
Baxendale S, et al. Bright light therapy for symptoms of anxiety and depression in focal epilepsy: randomized controlled
trial. Br J Psychiatry 2013 May;202(5):352-6.
*Benedetti F, et al. Morning light treatment hastens the antidepressant effect of citalopram: a placebo-controlled trial. J
Clin Psychiatry 2003 Jun;64(6):648-53.
*BlueCross BlueShield Association. Phototherapy light for the treatment of seasonal affective and other depressive
disorders. Medical Policy Reference Manual Policy #1.01.04. 2005 Jun 27. Archived Feb 2011.
*BlueCross BlueShield Association Technology Evaluation Center (TEC). Phototherapy for the treatment of seasonal
affective disorder.1999 May;14(12).
*Bossini L, et al. Light therapy as a treatment for sexual dysfunctions. Psychother Psychosom 2009;78(2):127-8.
Cheung A, et al. Direct health care costs of treating seasonal affective disorder: a comparison of light therapy and
fluoxetine. Depress Res Treat 2012;2012:628434.
Crowley SK, et al. Efficacy of light therapy for perinatal depression: a review. J Physiol Anthropol 2012 Jun 6;31:15.
Dauphinais DR, et al. Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs negative air ions in patients with
bipolar depression. Psychiatry Res 2012 Mar 30;196(1):57-61.
*Desan PH, et al. A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). BMC Psychiatry 2007 Aug 7.
Flory R, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bright light and high-density negative air ions for treatment of
Seasonal Affective Disorder. Psychiatry Res 2010 May 15;177(1-2):101-8.
*Forbes D, et al. Light therapy for managing cognitive, sleep, functional, behavioral, or psychiatric disturbances in
dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Oct 7;4:CD003946.
Freeman MP, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in major depressive disorder: the American Psychiatric
Association Task Force report. J Clin Psychiatry 2010 Jun;71(6):669-81.
*Goel N, et al. Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. Psychol Med 2005
Jul;35(7):945-55.
Gordijn MC, et al. The effects of blue-enriched light treatment compared to standard light treatment in Seasonal
Affective Disorder. J Affect Disord 2012 Jan;136(1-2):72-80.
*Health Technology Advisory Committee (HTAC). Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 2001
[http://www.health.state.mn.us/htac/sad.htm] accessed 9/19/14.
Hsu ZY, et al. The influence of light administration on interpersonal behavior and affect in people with mild to moderate
seasonality. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014 Jan 3;48:92-101.
*Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Health Care Guideline. Major depression in adults in primary care. 2009
May [http//www.icsi.org] accessed 9/22/15.
Janas-Kozik M, et al. Bright light treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with restrictive type of anorexia nervosa.
J Affect Disord 2011 May;130(3):462-5.
Proprietary Information of Excellus Health Plan, Inc.
SUBJECT: PHOTOTHERAPY FOR THE
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER
POLICY NUMBER: 1.01.24
CATEGORY: Behavioral Health
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/16/99
REVISED DATE: 02/28/01, 02/21/02, 01/16/03, 11/20/03,
12/07/06, 10/24/07, 10/23/08, 10/28/09,
10/28/10, 12/08/11, 10/25/12, 10/24/13,
10/23/14
ARCHIVED: 09/16/04-12/07/06
RE-ARCHIVED DATE: 10/28/15, 10/27/16
PAGE: 4 OF: 5
Jurvelin H, et al. Transcranial bright light treatment via the ear canals in seasonal affective disorder: a randomized,
double-blind dose-response study. BMC Psychiatry 2014 Oct 21;14:288.
Knapen SE, et al. The duration of light treatment and therapy outcome in seasonal affective disorder. J Affect Disord
2014 Sep;166:343-6.
*Koorengevel KM, et al. Extraocular light therapy in winter depression: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Biol
Psychiat 2001 Nov 1;50(9):691-8.
*Lam RW, et al. Effects of light therapy on suicidal ideation in patients with winter depression. J Clin Psychiatry 2000
Jan;61(1):30-2.
*Lam RW, et al. The Can-SAD study: a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of light therapy and fluoxetine
in patients with winter seasonal affective disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2006 May;163(5):805-12.
Lande RG, et al. Effectiveness of light therapy for depression among active duty service members: A randomized
controlled pilot trial. Complement Ther Med 2011 Jun;19(3):161-3.
Leichtfried V, et al. Short-term effects of bright light therapy in adults with chronic nonspecific back pain: a randomized
controlled trial. Pain Med 2014 Dec;15(12):2003-12.
Lieverse R, et al. Bright light treatment in elderly patients with nonseasonal major depressive disorder: a randomized
placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Jan;68(1):61-70.
*Leppamaki SJ, et al. Randomized trial of the efficacy of bright-light exposure and aerobic exercise on depressive
symptoms and serum lipids. J Clin Psychiat 2002 Apr;63(4):316-21.
*Levitt AJ, et al. A comparison of open treatment of seasonal major and minor depression with light therapy. J Affective
Disord 2002 Sep;71(1-3):243-8.
*Loving RT, et al. Bright light treatment of depression for older adults[ISRCTN55452501]. BMC Psychiatry 2005 Nov
9;5:41.
Meesters Y, et al. Low-intensity blue-enriched white light (750 lux) and standard bright light (10,000 lux) are equally
effective in treating SAD. A randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2011 Jan 28;11:17.
*Michalak EE, et al. A pilot study of adherence with light treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Psychiatry Res 2007
Jan 15;149(1-3):315-20.
Naus T, et al. Is there a difference in clinical efficacy of bright light therapy for different types of depression? A pilot
study. J Affect Disord 2013 Dec;151(3):1135-1137.
Pail G, et al. Bright-light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders. Neuropsychobiology 2011;64(3):152-62.
*Rastad C, et al. Light room therapy effective in mild forms of seasonal affective disorder- a randomized controlled
study. J Affect Disord 2008 Jun;108(3):291-6.
*Ravindran AV, et al. Canadian network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Clinical guidelines for the
management of major depressive disorder in adults. V. Complementary and alternative medicine treatments. J Affect
Disord 2009 Oct;117 Suppl 1:S54-64.
Reeves GM, et al. Improvement in depression scores after 1 hour of light therapy treatment in patients with seasonal
affective disorder. J Nerv Ment Dis 2012 Jan;200(1):51-5.
Roecklein KA, et al. Cognitive and behavioral predictors of light therapy use. PLoS One 2012;7(6):e39275.
*Rohan KJ, et al. A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy and their combination for
seasonal affective disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol 2007 Jun;75(3):489-500.
Proprietary Information of Excellus Health Plan, Inc.
SUBJECT: PHOTOTHERAPY FOR THE
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER
POLICY NUMBER: 1.01.24
CATEGORY: Behavioral Health
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/16/99
REVISED DATE: 02/28/01, 02/21/02, 01/16/03, 11/20/03,
12/07/06, 10/24/07, 10/23/08, 10/28/09,
10/28/10, 12/08/11, 10/25/12, 10/24/13,
10/23/14
ARCHIVED: 09/16/04-12/07/06
RE-ARCHIVED DATE: 10/28/15, 10/27/16
PAGE: 5 OF: 5
*Sher L, et al. Early response to light therapy partially predicts long-term antidepressant effects in patients with seasonal
affective disorder. J Physiatry Neuroscience 2001;26(4):336-8.
Sitnikov L, et al. Cognitive predictors and moderators of winter depression treatment outcomes in cognitive-behavioral
therapy vs light therapy. Behave Res Ther 2013 Dec;51(12):872-81.
*Sondergaard MP, et al. Dose response to adjunctive light therapy in citalopram-treated patients with post-stroke
depression. A randomized, double-blind pilot study. Psychother Psychosom 2006 Jun;75(4):244-8.
Strong RE, et al. Narrow-band blue-light treatment of seasonal affective disorder in adults and the influence of
additional nonseasonal symptoms. Depress Anxiety 2009;26(3):273-8.
*Sumaya IC, et al. Bright light treatment decreases depression in institutionalized older adults: a placebo-controlled
crossover study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001 Jun;56(6):M356-60.
*Terman M, et al. Light therapy for seasonal and nonseasonal depression: efficacy, protocol, safety, and side effects.
CNS Spectr 2005 Aug;10(8):647-63.
*Terman M, et al. Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn stimulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective
disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2006 Dec;163(12):2126-33.
*Tuunainen A, et al. Light therapy for non-seasonal depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(2):CD004050,
updated 2006.
*Wileman SM, et al. Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in primary care: randomized controlled trial. Br J
Psychiat 2001 Apr;178:311-6.
*Winkler D, et al. Actigraphy in patients with seasonal affective disorder and healthy control subjects treated with light
therapy. Biol Psychiatry 2005 Aug 15;58 (4):331-36.
Youngstedt SD, et al. Bright light treatment for high-anxious young adults: a randomized controlled pilot study. Depress
Anxiety 2011 Apr;28(4):324-32.
* Key article
KEY WORDS:
Light therapy, Phototherapy, SAD, Seasonal affective disorder.
CMS COVERAGE FOR MEDICARE PRODUCT MEMBERS
Based on our review, there is no specific regional or national coverage determination addressing phototherapy light
devices for the treatment of depression.
Proprietary Information of Excellus Health Plan, Inc.