Cerebral Perfusion Studies (CPB 0663, reviewed 2026-10-14)
Summary
Aetna's Cerebral Perfusion Studies policy (CPB 0663) sets when CT and MRI perfusion studies of the brain are medically necessary. CT perfusion is covered for evaluating acute stroke (less than 24 hours) including hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, follow-up of cerebral ischemia or infarction, planning and evaluating therapy for arterial occlusive disease, identifying cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after revascularization, and evaluating the vascular status of solid tumors where MRI is degraded by susceptibility artifact. MRI perfusion is covered for diagnosing and following mass lesions such as glioma, and for assessing acute stroke penumbra, hemodynamic significance of cervical or intracranial stenosis, revascularization efficacy and vasospasm. The policy lists many other uses as experimental, investigational or unproven, including CT perfusion for confirmation of brain death, evaluation of head trauma, and evaluation of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Get alerts when payers change rules like this one
We check Aetna and other payers every day and email you when a change matches your specialty and state.