Chest Physiotherapy and Airway Clearance Devices (CPB 0067, reviewed 2026-03-18)
Summary
Aetna considers chest physiotherapy by a respiratory therapist medically necessary at the initial home prescription, to stabilize the member and train family members or caregivers, and when the member's pulmonary condition is unstable. Aetna considers airway oscillating devices, mechanical percussors, PEP masks and postural drainage boards medically necessary for listed conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, immotile cilia syndrome, asthma and COPD. High-frequency chest compression systems and mechanical in-exsufflation devices are considered medically necessary only for the specific neuromuscular, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, immotile cilia and lung transplant criteria in the policy, and the Intrapulmonary percussive ventilator, BiWaze Clear System, Volara OLE device, Simeox device and high-frequency chest compression for other indications are considered experimental, investigational or unproven.
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