Notes: Aetna does not cover most therapeutic pillows and cushions because they do not meet Aetna's contractual definition of durable medical equipment (DME) in that they are not durable and because they are not primarily medical in nature and not mainly used in the treatment of disease or injury.

Cushions may be covered if it is an integral part of, or a medically necessary accessory to, covered DME.  For example, see CPB 0271 - Wheelchairs and Power Operated Vehicles (Scooters) (wheelchair seat cushions are covered to prevent or treat severe burns or decubiti).

Certain specialized support surfaces may be covered when medically necessary to prevent or treat decubitus ulcers.  For medical necessity criteria for specialized cushions to prevent decubiti, see CPB 0430 - Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces.

The following are some types of pillows and cushions that are not covered by Aetna:

• Backrest cushions and lumbar pillows including lumbar cushions, lumbar pads, lumbar rolls (e.g., Accu-Back Orthopedic Cushion, Back-Huggar, Better Back Support, ChiroFlow Adjustable Back Support, Comfort Core Backrest, Hibak Rest, Lumbo Cushion, Luniform, McCarty's Sacro-East Cushion, Sacro-Ease, Sitback Rest, Slimrest, SunMark Sacro Cushion)
• Cervical pillows (cervical pillow rolls, neck cushions) (e.g., Hot 'n Cold Cervical Pillow, inflatable neck rest cushions, LuLu's Ortho Pillows, Nek-L-O Pillow, Orthopillow, Theracloud Cervical Smart Pillow, Therashield U-neck, Therapeutics, Wal-Pil-O, Wave Pillow, Youth Pillow)
• Custom-molded cushions (e.g., Contour-U Customold Cushion)
• Massage pillows (e.g., Niagara Massage Pillow)
• Positioning pillows (e.g., Bed Wedge, Darbo Deluxe Knee Cushion, Knee Elevator, Leg Spacer, Posture Wedge Cushion, Soothe-A-Ciser, Stress Wedge, Ther-Arc, Tucker wedge/sling, etc.)
• Sleeping pillows (ergonomic pillows, orthopedic pillows, orthopedic foam wedges) (e.g., Accu-Back Ergonomic Sleeping Pillow, Core Pillow, Mediflow Waterbase Pillow)
• Specialized pillows for disabled children (e.g., Grasshopper Pillow, Tumble Form Pillow)
• Standard pillows made of allergy-free materials
• Traction pillows (e.g., Dutchman's roll, flexion pillow, pelvic sacral blocks, sternal roll, etc.)

A number or specialized pillows and cushions have been used for cushioning and positioning in the treatment of decubiti, burns, musculoskeletal injuries and other medical conditions.  Aetna does not generally cover pillows and cushions, regardless of medical necessity, because they do not meet Aetna's definition of covered durable medical equipment, in that pillows and cushions are not made to withstand prolonged use.  In addition, most pillows and cushions are not primarily medical in nature, and are normally of use to persons who do not have a disease or injury.