Orthopedic Implant Movement Analysis — CPB 0888 | AETNA Coverage Update

Aetna modified CPB 0888 covering radiostereometric analysis (RSA) and CT-based implant motion analysis, effective January 5, 2026. CPT codes 0348T, 0349T, 0350T, and 0946T are all non-covered under this policy. Here's what billing teams need to know.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, updated CPB 0888 — its clinical policy bulletin governing orthopedic implant movement analysis — to classify RSA and CT-based motion analysis as experimental, investigational, or unproven across a broad list of indications. The policy covers spinal, upper extremity, and lower extremity RSA (0348T, 0349T, 0350T), plus the newer CT-based implant movement analysis code 0946T. If your practice bills these codes for Aetna members, expect denials across the board.

Quick-Reference Table

Aetna Radiostereometric Analysis Coverage Criteria and Medical Necessity Requirements 2026

The short answer: Aetna finds no medical necessity basis for RSA or CT-based implant motion analysis. At all. For any indication listed in CPB 0888.

This Aetna radiostereometric analysis coverage policy does not establish a covered subset of patients or a pathway to prior authorization approval. The policy is a flat denial. Aetna reviewed the clinical evidence and concluded that effectiveness has not been established for any of the indications it reviewed.

That's a harder stance than some payers take on emerging imaging technologies. You won't find a "covered when medically necessary with documentation" clause here. There is no prior authorization pathway because Aetna doesn't consider these services reimbursable in the first place. If your billing team has been submitting these codes hoping for case-by-case approvals, stop. The policy is clear, and appeals based on medical necessity arguments face an uphill climb when the payer's own CPB uses "experimental, investigational, or unproven" language.

The coverage policy applies to RSA across all body regions — spine (0348T), upper extremities including shoulder, elbow, and wrist (0349T), and lower extremities including hip, knee, and ankle (0350T). It also covers the CT-based variant under 0946T, which uses paired CT exams rather than fluoroscopic RSA. Two different technologies, same coverage outcome: not covered.

Aetna RSA and CT Implant Analysis Exclusions and Non-Covered Indications

The list of non-covered indications in CPB 0888 is long and specific. Aetna explicitly names 13 categories where RSA and CT-based implant motion analysis fail to meet its evidence threshold. This isn't a vague blanket exclusion — they name the procedures and diagnoses directly.

Here's what the policy calls out by name:

The real issue here is breadth. This isn't a targeted exclusion for one fringe application — it covers the most common clinical scenarios where RSA gets ordered. Post-TKA migration analysis. Shoulder arthroplasty wear. Spinal stability after fusion. If your orthopedic surgeons are ordering RSA for any of these reasons on Aetna members, the claim will deny.

CT-based implant motion analysis under 0946T gets the same treatment. Aetna addressed it separately in the policy, which tells you they anticipated billing on this newer code. Don't assume the CT-based approach gets a different result — it doesn't.

Coverage Indications at a Glance

Aetna Radiostereometric Analysis Billing Guidelines and Action Items 2026

This policy has a January 5, 2026 effective date, which means it's already active. If you haven't audited your claims pipeline yet, do it today.

CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 Codes for Orthopedic Implant Movement Analysis Under CPB 0888

Not Covered / Experimental CPT Codes

Key ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes

These diagnosis codes appear in the policy. They're relevant for identifying claims at risk and coding RSA orders correctly — even on claims that will deny.