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Electrothermal Arthroscopy (CPB 0545, reviewed 2026-07-31)
Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Aug 14, 2026
Summary
Aetna considers electrothermal arthroscopy, also called electrothermally-assisted capsule shift or capsulorrhaphy (ETAC), of the joint capsule, ligaments, or tendons experimental, investigational, or unproven for all indications. The listed indications include shoulder instability, Bankart lesions, frozen shoulder, ligament tears and meniscal injury of the knee, partial scapholunate ligament tears, temporomandibular joint dislocation, and wrist injuries. HCPCS S2300 (arthroscopy, shoulder, with thermally-induced capsulorrhaphy) is listed as not covered for the indications in the policy.
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What to do
Action · 3 steps
01Billing team: do not bill electrothermal arthroscopy (ETAC) for the indications listed in the policy, because Aetna considers it experimental, investigational, or unproven for all indications.
02HCPCS S2300 is listed as not covered for the indications listed in the policy.
03The knee arthroscopy codes (CPT 29870 to 29887) are listed as not covered for electrothermal arthroscopy.
Codes mentioned
S2300298042980629828298432984729848298612986329870298872989129899299052990629907M75.00M75.02M76.60M76.62M23.000M26.601S63.511AS63.519SS76.111AS76.119SS83.200AS83.32XSS83.401AS83.429SS83.501AS83.529S
Original notice
Electrothermal Arthroscopy (CPB 0545, reviewed 2026-07-31)
aetna.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related policy hubs
Aetna policiesOrthopedicsSports MedicineOral & Maxillofacial SurgeryCode S2300Code 29804Code 29806Code 29828Code 29843Code 29847Code 29848Code 29861Code 29863Code 29870Code 29887Code 29891Code 29899Code 29905Code 29906Code 29907Code M75.00Code M75.02Code M76.60Code M76.62Code M23.000Code M26.601Code S63.511ACode S63.519SCode S76.111ACode S76.119SCode S83.200ACode S83.32XSCode S83.401ACode S83.429SCode S83.501ACode S83.529S