Heartflow Plaque Analysis Gains Nationwide Coverage from Aetna
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heartflow, Inc., trading on Nasdaq as HTFL, has announced a significant milestone: Aetna will now cover Heartflow Plaque Analysis across all its business lines, including Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Aetna Better Health Medicaid plans. This broad coverage marks Aetna as the fourth major national insurer to fully align with the standards set by radiology benefit manager EviCore, joining the ranks of Humana, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. As a result, Heartflow Plaque Analysis will now be accessible to the majority of insured lives in the United States.
Details on Coverage and CPT Code Implementation
This new insurance coverage comes shortly after the American Medical Association implemented the Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) payment code 75577 for Heartflow Plaque Analysis, which is effective from January 1, 2026. The CPT code allocates 0.85 relative value units (RVUs) and sets a combined total of 4.00 RVUs for physicians performing this service. This reimbursement is crucial as it establishes a financial framework for the use of Heartflow's innovative technology.
Impact on Patient Care and Access
John Farquhar, President and CEO of Heartflow, commented, “Aetna’s decision to cover Heartflow Plaque Analysis nationwide is a pivotal step in expanding access to our AI-driven plaque quantification and characterization technology. With four major commercial payers and Medicare now recognizing our platform, clinicians will gain earlier, clearer insights into coronary plaque.” This enhanced accessibility promises benefits for patients through early detection and accurate quantification of plaque, leading to tailored treatment strategies and improved prognostic assessments.
Effective Dates and Eligibility
The coverage became effective on December 23, 2025, for Aetna patients who present with acute or stable chest pain and mild-to-moderate narrowing of the coronary arteries (1-69% stenosis) as indicated by coronary CTA imaging. This updated policy not only broadens access but also facilitates earlier diagnosis and personalized risk stratification in managing coronary artery disease (CAD).
Broader Implications for Cardiac Care
The introduction of the new CPT code aligns with increased demand for AI-based plaque analysis technologies. Together, this national payer coverage and reimbursement framework position Heartflow as a leading option in cardiac CT imaging, emphasizing its practicality and clinical adoption.
Evidence Supporting Heartflow Plaque Analysis
Heartflow’s commitment to innovation is highlighted by the real-world evidence demonstrated in the DECIDE Registry, the largest prospective evaluation of Heartflow Plaque Analysis on medical management decisions. This registry found that over 50% of patients experienced changes in their medical management when the Heartflow analysis was included, compared to those managed solely based on CCTA readings.
Understanding Heartflow’s Technology
Heartflow has developed the only FDA-cleared, AI-driven plaque quantification tool that boasts a 95% agreement with the gold standard intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), according to blinded core lab adjudication.
About Heartflow, Inc.
Heartflow is at the forefront of transforming the management of coronary artery disease, leveraging advanced AI to create personalized 3D heart models from coronary CTA images. These models provide actionable insights concerning plaque location, volume, composition, and their effects on blood flow, all without the need for invasive procedures. Health practitioners can learn more about Heartflow's innovative solutions by visiting heartflow.com.
Contact Information
- Media Contact: Elliot Levy, elevy@heartflow.com
- Investor Contact: Nick Laudico, nlaudico@heartflow.com