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Radiofrequency Tumor Ablation (CPB 0492, reviewed 2026-07-29)

Aetna·Oncology, Radiation Oncology, General Surgery +6 more·Surgery
Effective date
Jul 29, 2026
We identified it
Aug 15, 2026
Days to comply

Summary

Aetna updated its Radiofrequency Tumor Ablation policy (CPB 0492) effective 2026-07-29, clarifying covered and non-covered indications. The policy maintains coverage for specific oncologic and benign conditions (e.g., HCC ≤5cm, renal cell carcinoma, thyroid nodules) but explicitly lists numerous experimental/investigational procedures and indications that are NOT covered, including RFA for biliary obstructions, pancreatic tumors, and curative treatment in surgical candidates. Billing teams must verify medical necessity against the specific approved indications and ensure claims include appropriate supporting documentation.

Action Required

Action needed
By 2026-07-29: Billing team must update claim submission protocols to enforce Aetna's specific medical necessity criteria for radiofrequency ablation procedures. (1) COVERED INDICATIONS: Configure billing system to allow claims only when diagnosis codes and clinical documentation support one of the listed approved indications (e.g., solitary HCC ≤5cm, renal cell carcinoma ≤4cm in high-risk patients, adrenocortical carcinoma, benign thyroid nodules >2cm). (2) NOT COVERED/EXPERIMENTAL: Block or flag for review any claims for CPT 47370, 47380, 47382, 32998, 50592, and related codes when paired with non-covered diagnosis codes, including: biliary obstructions (K83.1), pancreatic cancer/neoplasms (C25.x, D13.2, D13.6, D01.7), renal cysts (N28.1, Q61.x), adrenal metastases from primary tumors other than adrenocortical carcinoma, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, spinal metastases, or thymoma. (3) REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION: Providers must document that patients meet specific criteria (e.g., high-risk surgical candidate status, GFR ≤60 ml/min/m², solitary kidney status, size limitations). (4) PRIOR AUTHORIZATION: Implement pre-authorization protocol for all RFA procedures; do not submit claims for experimental combinations (e.g., RFA + trans-arterial chemoembolization, RFA + vertebral cement augmentation, ERCP + pancreatoscopy + RFA). Failure to comply will result in claim denials. Update encounter forms and provider alerts to reinforce approved indications.

Affected Billing Codes

20982
32998
43270
44369
47370
47380
47381
47382
50592
53850
53852
C1886
10004
10005
10006
10007
10008
10009
10010
10011
10012
10013
10014
10015
10016
10017
10018
10019
10020
10021