Intraoral Appliances for Headaches (027)

Number: 027 
(Update)

Subject: Intraoral Appliances for Headaches

Date: June 9, 2014

Important Note

This Clinical Policy Bulletin explains how we determine whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary. We made these decisions based on a review of currently available clinical information including:

• Clinical outcome studies in the peer-reviewed published medical and dental literature
• Regulatory status of the technology
• Evidence-based guidelines of public health and health research agencies
• Evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations
• Views of physicians and dentists practicing in relevant clinical areas
• Other relevant factors 

We expressly reserve the right to revise these conclusions as clinical information changes, and welcome further relevant information.

Each benefits plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their dentists will need to consult the member's benefits plan to determine if any exclusions or other benefits limitations apply to this service or supply. The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not guarantee that this service or supply is covered (that is, will be paid for by Aetna) for a particular member. The member's benefits plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary. If there is a discrepancy between this policy and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern. In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a state, the federal government or CMS for Medicare and Medicaid members.

Policy

Aetna considers intra-oral appliances (e.g., the Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition-Tension Suppression System) experimental and investigational for the treatment of headaches and trigeminal neuralgia because their effectiveness for these indications has not been established.

See CPB here

Revision Dates

Original policy: November 4, 2004
Updated: September 25, 2006; August 26, 2008; June 27, 2011; July 12, 2012; August 12, 2013; June 9, 2014 
Revised: November 16, 2009

Medical Clinical Policy Bulletin 0688: Intraoral Appliances for Headaches and Trigeminal Neuralgia. The CPB was updated with additional background information and references on November 11, 2013.

Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.

CPT only copyright 2010 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.