Aetna · Identified Aug 18, 2026Medium impact
Lung Imaging: Selected Techniques (CPB 0581, reviewed 2026-02-24)
Aetna considers lung imaging fluorescence endoscopy (LIFE) medically necessary to enhance the physician's ability to detect and biopsy abnormal bronchial tissue suspicious for pre-cancerous lesions, carcinomas in situ, and early bronchogenic carcinomas in members with known or previously diagnosed lung cancer, members with suspected lung cancer, and members with a previously resected Stage I lung cancer who have no evidence of metastatic disease and are at risk for secondary disease. Suspected lung cancer includes positive sputum cytology, hemoptysis, infiltrates, or pneumonia signs or symptoms that do not resolve within 30 days of treatment, persistent cough, or a positive X-ray. Aetna considers computer-aided lung informatics for pathology evaluation and rating (CALIPER) for interstitial lung disease, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for diagnosis of lung cancer, LIFE for all other indications, 3D lung CT for evaluation of bronchial anatomy, point laser Raman spectroscopy, XV LVAS pulmonary tissue ventilation analysis, and Xenon Xe-129 hyperpolarized gas (Xenoview) for lung ventilation evaluation experimental, investigational, or unproven. The CPT codes 0807T, 0808T, 0877T, 0878T, 0879T, 0880T, 76376, 76377, 76978, and 76979 and the HCPCS codes A9610 and C9791 are listed as not covered for the indications in this policy. source issue date 2026-02-24.