CommercialCoverageLow impact
Broth Culture Testing for Interstitial Cystitis (CPB 0695, reviewed 2026-10-14)
Aetna·Urology·Medical Policy
We identified it
Oct 17, 2026
Summary
Aetna's CPB 0695 (reviewed 2026-10-14) maintains that broth culture testing for interstitial cystitis is experimental, investigational, or unproven due to inadequate evidence of effectiveness in diagnosis and management. This is a policy reaffirmation, not a change. Billing teams should continue denying claims for broth culture testing when billed for interstitial cystitis diagnosis using ICD-10 codes N30.10–N30.11.
Action Required
Verify current applicability: Billing team should confirm whether the practice has implemented claim denial logic for broth culture testing (CPT 87086, 87088, 87181–87190; HCPCS P7001) when linked to interstitial cystitis diagnoses (ICD-10 N30.10, N30.11) under Aetna coverage. No new effective date is stated in this policy review. If broth culture claims for IC are currently being submitted or paid, flag them for denial based on experimental/investigational status under this Aetna policy.