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Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing (CPB 0746, reviewed 2026-10-16)
Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Oct 21, 2026
Summary
Aetna considers ultrasound therapy, including high-frequency ultrasound and non-contact low-frequency ultrasound devices, experimental, investigational, or unproven for wound healing and for reduction of chronic wound pain, because the effectiveness of this approach for these indications has not been established. CPT 97610, low-frequency non-contact non-thermal ultrasound per day, is listed as not covered for the indications in this policy. Examples of ultrasound therapy named in this policy include the FAST procedure, the MIST Therapy System, the Qoustic Wound Therapy System, and the Sonoca 180/185 Wound Care System.
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What to do
Action · 3 steps
01Billing team: Do not bill CPT 97610 for wound healing or reduction of chronic wound pain, because the policy lists it as not covered for these indications.
02Billing team: Do not bill ultrasound therapy for wound healing or chronic wound pain as a covered service, because Aetna considers it experimental, investigational, or unproven for these indications.
03Billing team: Do not bill ultrasound therapy under the ICD-10 diagnosis codes the policy lists as not covered, including atherosclerosis of the lower extremities with ulceration, varicose veins with ulcer, cellulitis and abscess, pilonidal cyst, pressure ulcers (L89.000 to L89.95), open wounds, infections following a procedure, and disruption of surgical wounds.
Codes mentioned
97610I70.231I70.25I70.261I70.269I83.001I83.029L02.01L02.11L02.211L02.219L02.31L02.411L02.419L02.511L02.519L02.611L02.619L02.811L02.818L02.91L03.011L03.91L05.01L05.02L05.91L05.92L89.000L89.95T81.31XAT81.32XST81.40XAT81.49XS
Original notice
Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing (CPB 0746, reviewed 2026-10-16)
aetna.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
Related changes
See all Aetna changes →Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing (CPB 0746, reviewed 2025-11-26)MediumNo effective date · RadiologyWound Imaging and Noninvasive Wound Therapy (CPB 0372, reviewed 2026-05-21)MediumNo effective date · RadiologyElectrical Stimulation for Chronic Ulcers (CPB 0680, reviewed 2026-10-14)MediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyBio-Surgery: Medicinal Leech Therapy and Medical Maggots (CPB 0556, reviewed 2026-09-01)LowNo effective date · SurgeryBrowse every Aetna change in the policy list
Related policy hubs
Aetna policiesWound CareCode 97610Code I70.231Code I70.25Code I70.261Code I70.269Code I83.001Code I83.029Code L02.01Code L02.11Code L02.211Code L02.219Code L02.31Code L02.411Code L02.419Code L02.511Code L02.519Code L02.611Code L02.619Code L02.811Code L02.818Code L02.91Code L03.011Code L03.91Code L05.01Code L05.02Code L05.91Code L05.92Code L89.000Code L89.95Code T81.31XACode T81.32XSCode T81.40XACode T81.49XS