Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography

Aetna covers MRCP for preoperative evaluation of the common bile duct before laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with elevated transaminases or CBD dilatation, for diagnostic-only evaluation of suspected pancreaticobiliary disease, for patients allergic to iodine-based contrast or with atopy, when altered biliary anatomy precludes ERCP, and after unsuccessful ERCP. MRCP for other indications (e.g., autoimmune pancreatitis, PSC monitoring) and quantitative MRCP (qMRCP; CPT 0723T/0724T) are considered experimental/investigational and not covered, and MRCP without IV contrast is not acceptable for pancreatic cancer staging (ICD‑10 C25.*) except when gadolinium is contraindicated (e.g., renal failure).

"Adjunctive imaging in suspected autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) to evaluate main pancreatic duct narrowing, MPD integrity (secretin-MRCP may demonstrate duct-penetrating sign), and parenchymal featur..."