SCAI, along with ACC, SIR, SVS, and OEIS, has been advocating with Aetna to review their peripheral interventions policy specifically as it relates to atherectomy. As of the August 15th policy update, Aetna has removed the following from their experimental, investigational, and unproven list:  

• Atherectomy in combination with drug-coated balloon for the treatment of femoro-popliteal lesions; 
• The use of drug-eluting balloons for in vein grafts and dialysis/vascular accesses, and for the treatment of primary lesion/occlusion of other peripheral arteries because its long-term effectiveness has not been established. 

Additionally, Aetna has informed SCAI that they are working with eviCore to modify their clinical guidelines to indicate that atherectomy may be used as a standalone treatment modality for claudication and to clarify the application of atherectomy without stenting. These changes will be published in December.  

SCAI applauds Aetna and eviCore’s decisions to expand their policy guidelines. SCAI will continue to advocate for coverage of peripheral interventions.