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Infectious Diseases: Selected Tests (CPB 1008, reviewed 2026-01-14)

Aetna·Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Neurology +3 more·Medical Policy
Effective date
Jan 14, 2026
We identified it
Aug 19, 2026
Days to comply

Summary

Aetna updated its Infectious Diseases policy (CPB 1008) effective 2026-01-14, designating multiple mNGS tests, multiplex immunoassay panels, and specialized infectious disease tests as experimental/investigational/unproven. RT-QuIC testing for prion disease and syphilis screening tests remain covered. Billing teams must immediately identify and deny or obtain prior authorization for the newly categorized experimental tests listed in the policy.

Action Required

Action needed
By January 14, 2026: Billing team must immediately implement the following: (1) Update billing system to flag and DENY claims for the following non-covered experimental/investigational tests unless prior authorization is obtained from Aetna: mNGS tests (IDbyDNA AlloID, Karius Test, Johns Hopkins mNGS, Mayo MSCSF Test, MicroGenDX variants, NeXGen Fungal/AFB), multiplex immunoassay panels (Accelerate PhenoTest BC Kit variants, FebriDx, IntelliSep, MeMed BV), and other tests (bacterial typing/whole genome sequencing for outbreak investigation, monocyte distribution width/Early Sepsis Indicator, ciprofloxacin/macrolide resistance testing, BIOTIA-ID, FidaLab, IVD CAPSULE PSP, LifeScale Gram Negative Kit, Synovasure PJI Panel, TriVerity, TrexAB). (2) Ensure CPT codes 0035U and 0584U (RT-QuIC prion disease testing) remain COVERED when ICD-10 diagnoses A81.00-A81.09, A81.81-A81.89, A81.9, or F02.80/F02.A0/F02.B0/F02.C0 are documented. (3) Ensure CPT codes 0064U, 0065U, 0210U, 86592, 86593, 86780, and 87285 (syphilis testing) remain COVERED for pregnant women and at-risk populations. (4) Providers and laboratory must NOT submit claims for experimental mNGS and multiplex panels without prior authorization; claims will be denied. (5) Update laboratory requisition forms and EMR templates to indicate which infectious disease tests require prior authorization. Contact Aetna for prior authorization before ordering experimental tests to prevent claim denials and patient liability.

Affected Billing Codes

86592
86593
86780
87285
A81.00
A81.01
A81.02
A81.09
A81.81
A81.89
A81.9
F02.80
F02.A0
F02.B0
F02.C0