Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids

Aetna covers intralesional 5‑fluorouracil, cryotherapy, and intralesional corticosteroids for keloids (and destruction CPT 17110/17111 for keloids that are painful/ulcerated/pruritic and causing functional impairment), and fractional ablative laser for burn, traumatic, or post‑surgical scars only for documented significant functional impairment; numerous other treatments (e.g., stem‑cell therapies, non‑ablative lasers, microneedling, many topical agents, botulinum, photodynamic therapy, etc.) are listed as experimental/investigational and excluded. Coverage is contingent on meeting medical‑necessity/selection criteria (see CPB 0031 and the policy table), documentation of functional impairment, and prior failure of conventional treatments (e.g., hypoallergenic tape or silicone gel/sheeting) where specified.

"Treatment of traumatic or surgical scars with non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL, 1,500-nm) or ablative fractional laser (AFL, 10,600-nm) — Chitgopeker et al, 2020 (split-scar study in 100 patients)"