Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) of the Spine

Aetna covers MRI and CT of the spine for clinical evidence of spinal stenosis, suspected spinal cord or cauda equina compression, congenital spinal anomalies/deformities, diagnosis/evaluation of lumbar epidural lipomatosis, and evaluation of recurrent symptoms after spinal surgery. All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not covered; specifically, MRI for unstable injury after a negative cervical CT in neurologically intact blunt trauma is not medically necessary, and dynamic‑kinetic MRI, routine MRI after a normal cervical CT in obtunded/comatose patients, and dual‑energy CT for acute vertebral fractures are investigational.

"Clinical evidence of spinal stenosis"

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