Cold Laser and High-Power Laser Therapies (CPB 0363, reviewed 2026-07-15)
Summary
Aetna's clinical policy bulletin CPB 0363 addresses cold laser (low-level laser therapy, class III) and high-power laser (class IV) therapies. Aetna considers low-level laser therapy medically necessary for prevention of oral mucositis in persons undergoing cancer treatment with an increased risk of oral mucositis, including chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Aetna considers cold laser therapy, high-power laser therapy, and low-level laser therapy using dynamic photonic and dynamic thermokinetic energies experimental, investigational, or unproven for other indications, including Achilles tendinopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder impingement syndrome, tinnitus, and tendon repair, because there is inadequate evidence of their effectiveness for those indications. CPT 97037 and HCPCS S8948 are listed as not covered for the indications in the policy.
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