Aetna · Identified Aug 17, 2026Medium impact
Fetal Echocardiography and Magnetocardiography (CPB 0106, reviewed 2026-03-26)
Aetna considers fetal echocardiograms, Doppler and color flow mapping after 12 weeks gestation medically necessary for listed indications. These include a mother with type 1 diabetes or pregestational type 2 diabetes on insulin during the first trimester, a mother with systemic lupus erythematosus, a fetal nuchal translucency of 3.5 mm or greater in the first trimester, pregnancies conceived by IVF or ICSI, monochorionic twins, suspected twin-twin transfusion syndrome, suspected or documented fetal arrhythmia, suspected or known fetal chromosomal abnormalities, single umbilical artery, persistent right umbilical vein, non-immune fetal hydrops or unexplained severe polyhydramnios, and seizure disorders in members even if they are not taking anti-seizure medication. Fetal exposure to anti-seizure medications, excessive alcohol, lithium, paroxetine or retinoids is also a listed indication. Repeat studies are covered for listed findings and for fetal surveillance of anti-Ro (SSA) or anti-La (SSB) exposure, which may be repeated every 1 to 2 weeks starting at 16 weeks gestation through 28 weeks, then every other week until 32 weeks. Fetal echocardiograms for advanced maternal age screening, gestational diabetes even if requiring insulin after the first trimester, modafinil exposure, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors except paroxetine, tacrolimus, a tortuous ductus arteriosus, and suspected cystic fibrosis are experimental, investigational or unproven. Fetal magnetocardiography and deep learning-based models for diagnosing fetal arrhythmia are also experimental, investigational or unproven.