Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing: Selected Indications

Aetna covers PCR testing for select indications — acanthamoeba in corneal ulceration; Actinomyces species ID in tissue; adenovirus for myocarditis or infection in immunocompromised/transplant patients; ALK testing as an alternative to FISH to select patients for ALK inhibitor therapy; and avian influenza A (H5N1) only for symptomatic persons with travel/contact to a country with documented H5N1 within 10 days of symptom onset — and excludes testing required for employment/school/recreation and C. difficile testing for asymptomatic persons or as a “test of cure.” Qualitative PCR for Acinetobacter baumannii and PCR for Aspergillus (e.g., MycoDART) are considered experimental/investigational, and screening tests are covered only if the member’s plan includes preventive benefits.

"Acanthamoeba in corneal ulceration"

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