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AetnaCommercial · Coverage · Medical Policy · Cardiology, Neurology, Vascular Surgery +6 moreLow impact

Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy (CPB 0796, reviewed 2026-10-30)

Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Nov 6, 2026

Previous versions

Summary

Aetna's Clinical Policy Bulletin 0796 (reviewed 2026-10-30) lists Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and near-infrared intravascular ultrasound as experimental, investigational, or unproven for a long list of indications, and identifies specific CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 codes tied to those non-covered uses. The bulletin contains no source-stated effective date for the change, so it should be treated as a review of existing guidance rather than a dated new requirement.

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What to do

Action · 4 steps
01Billing team: Check current applicability, since the source gives no effective date.
02Review charge entry for NIR spectroscopy services (e.g., codes 0640T, 0859T, 0860T) and for intravascular NIR imaging, and where the indication matches a listed non-covered use (e.g., peripheral artery disease screening, wound assessment, mood or psychiatric disorder evaluation), confirm with the payer's current policy before scheduling or billing.
03Providers and front desk staff should be told that these uses are listed as not covered, and documentation should show the clinical indication.
04Monitor Aetna's next notice for any update to this bulletin.

Codes mentioned

S206892978929799262692627

Original notice

Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy (CPB 0796, reviewed 2026-10-30)
aetna.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
View original ↗

Related changes

See all Aetna changes →
Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy (CPB 0796, reviewed 2025-11-19)MediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyIntravascular Ultrasound (CPB 0382, reviewed 2026-05-26)MediumNo effective date · RadiologyIntravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (CPB 0829, reviewed 2026-04-27)MediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyAural Rehabilitation (CPB 0034, reviewed 2026-03-10)MediumNo effective date · Medical PolicyBrowse every Aetna change in the policy list

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