Thalamotomy

Aetna covers unilateral thalamotomy — including MRgFUS for severe essential tremor and Gamma Knife for severe essential tremor or refractory Parkinsonian tremor when unilateral criteria are met — and thalamotomy as a last resort for malignant cancer pain, but deems bilateral thalamotomy and thalamotomy for non‑malignant pain or other unlisted indications (e.g., OCD, most non‑ET tremors, focal hand dystonia) experimental and not covered. Coverage requires prior positive response then refractory symptoms to medication, screening by a movement‑disorders neurologist confirming failure of appropriate non‑surgical therapies, severe/incapacitating tremor or rigidity (and for malignant pain: advanced cancer with limited life expectancy, exhausted radiotherapy, failed medical/targeted interventions, and no technical contraindications).

" - Options for radiotherapy have been exhausted; and"