Avelumab (Bavencio) (CPB 0916, reviewed 2026-10-14)
Aetna considers avelumab (Bavencio) medically necessary for commercial plan members with Merkel cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma in combination with axitinib, urothelial carcinomas, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, endometrial carcinoma, thymic carcinoma, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and small bowel adenocarcinoma when the criteria for each indication are met. Precertification of avelumab is required for all Aetna participating providers and members in applicable plan designs, and members who have experienced disease progression while on PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor therapy are not eligible. Aetna considers avelumab experimental, investigational, or unproven for all other indications, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer.