News & Advocacy

Paramount Revises Viscosupplementation Policy

posted: September 26, 2018

Paramount has made changes to their policy regarding viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis of the knee which will impact patients’ ability to access appropriate therapeutic options. Paramount recently changed their policy to revise viscosupplementation as “not medically necessary.”

The OAR submitted a letter to Paramount expressing concern about this revision and urging that Paramount modify their policy. The letter states that current literature submitted by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) supports the use of viscosupplementation in certain patients. Treatment of osteoarthritis requires a careful choice of therapies based on the unique clinical considerations of each patient. The decision to revise the use of viscosupplementation significantly hinders rheumatologists’ ability to provide necessary individualized care to their patients. The letter continues that hyaluronic acid injections reduce overall healthcare costs by playing an important role in delaying total knee replacements.

The OAR will continue to monitor this issue and provide resources and information to Paramount as needed.

Read Letter