Trigeminal Neuralgia: Treatments

Aetna covers surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia—specifically balloon compression and stereotactic radiosurgery (CyberKnife or Gamma Knife)—only when TN has persisted ≥6 months despite conservative pharmacotherapy with carbamazepine, phenytoin, and baclofen or the patient cannot tolerate these meds (and radiosurgery selection criteria are met). Procedures and therapies not meeting these criteria—including the long list of interventions in the policy (e.g., botulinum toxin, pulsed radiofrequency, peripheral neurectomy, various neuromodulation techniques, topical ambroxol/lidocaine) and the specified CPT/HCPCS codes—are considered experimental/investigational and not covered.

"Trigeminal neuralgia (ICD-10: G50."

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