CommercialCoverageMedium impact
Audio-Visual Neuromodulation for Neuropathic Pain
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi·MS · Pain Management, Neurology, Internal Medicine +1 more·Medical Policy
Effective date
Aug 1, 2026
We identified it
Aug 12, 2026
Summary
New policy effective August 1, 2026, classifies all FDA-authorized prescription audiovisual digital therapeutics for neuropathic pain (currently only the Sana Device) as investigational and non-covered. Billing teams must deny claims for this technology and communicate non-coverage status to patients and providers immediately.
Action Required
By August 1, 2026: Billing team must (1) Update billing system to flag all claims for audiovisual neuromodulation devices (Sana Device, HCPCS E1399, FDA product code QYN/DEN250005) as investigational and non-covered; (2) Configure system to auto-deny these claims with denial reason 'Investigational technology'; (3) Update patient financial counseling forms to indicate Sana Device is not a covered benefit; (4) Notify all providers in pain management, neurology, and primary care that this technology cannot be billed to this payer; (5) Document denial reasoning in EOBs citing policy A.3.03.07 and investigational status. EXCEPTION: For Federal Employee Program (FEP) plans, route these claims for medical necessity review instead of auto-denial, as FEP may cover FDA-approved devices. Failure to implement will result in inappropriate claim payment and potential recovery efforts.