Aetna to cover Caristo’s AI-powered CaRi-Plaque analysis nationwide, alongside other major insurers

Caristo Diagnostics, a global leader in cardiovascular imaging and risk prediction, announced today that Aetna, one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States, has implemented nationwide coverage for CaRi‑Plaque™, the company’s AI‑powered coronary plaque analysis software.

Aetna becomes the latest major insurer to adopt coverage for AI‑enabled coronary plaque assessment, joining Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Collectively, these coverage decisions extend access to advanced coronary plaque analysis technologies to millions of insured Americans, significantly broadening patient access to early, non‑invasive cardiovascular risk assessment.

This coverage expansion aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026 fee schedule, which establishes specific reimbursement pathways for AI‑powered coronary plaque analysis across both hospital outpatient and physician office settings. This national policy progression underscores the accelerating clinical adoption of AI‑driven cardiac imaging tools.

“We are delighted to see major US payors support the clinical adoption of Caristo’s CaRi-Plaque technology in routine clinical pathways. This unanimous support across major U.S. insurers reinforces the shift from reactive to preventive cardiac care—empowering clinicians to identify risk earlier and intervene more effectively.” said Frank Cheng, CEO, Caristo Diagnostics.

CaRi‑Plaque™, which is FDA cleared, performs non‑invasive characterization of coronary anatomy and pathology using routine coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans. The software identifies the presence, extent, and severity of coronary plaques and quantifies luminal stenosis, offering clinicians a deeper and more precise understanding of a patient’s cardiovascular risk profile.

The technology has undergone comprehensive validation through a multi‑center, international clinical study, demonstrating strong consistency between CaRi‑Plaque output and assessments by qualified independent medical expert readers.

CaRi‑Plaque™ is billed under the American Medical Association’s new Category I CPT code 75577, effective January 2026, further streamlining adoption by establishing a clear reimbursement pathway for providers nationwide.

The scope of Aetna’s coverage policy can be viewed here.

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