Policy Update Validates Clinical Value and Expands Patient Access to Innovative Chronic Rhinitis Treatment
Aerin Medical Inc., a leader in minimally invasive solutions for chronic nasal conditions, today announced that Cigna Healthcare will provide coverage for RhinAer® treatment of the posterior nasal nerve (CPT 31242), effective September 15, 2025. This change removes RhinAer from Cigna’s list of procedures deemed experimental, investigational, and unproven, marking a significant step forward in expanding access to a best-in-class treatment option for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of chronic rhinitis.
Starting September 15, over 15 million Cigna members and their healthcare providers will gain access to this clinically proven solution for patients with chronic rhinitis, a persistent inflammatory condition that significantly compromises quality-of-life. Cigna’s policy update highlights the growing recognition of RhinAer’s clinical efficacy and net health benefit as a non-invasive alternative to surgery or long-term, ineffective medication and clinic-based management.
“Cigna’s decision is a pivotal milestone in expanding physician and patient access to RhinAer — already used to treat more than 50,000 patients,” said Matt Brokaw, CEO of Aerin Medical. “Alongside recent coverage expansion by Blue Cross of Idaho, this momentum underscores the compelling evidence for this procedure and its significant benefit for sufferers. We are grateful for our partnership with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and EVP/CEO Dr. Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, and for the significance of our combined voice in elevating awareness of this condition’s burden.”
“Chronic rhinitis takes a substantial toll on patients and Cigna’s decision is a welcome development that empowers physicians to offer critical solutions to appropriate patients,” said Dr. Gavin Setzen, CEO & President of Albany ENT & Allergy Services, P.C., and Associate Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Albany Medical Center, and past president of AAO-HNS. “With strong evidence from 20 peer-reviewed publications and multi-study evidence of three-year durability, we know that RhinAer works. I am pleased that Cigna’s decision supports the adoption of a therapy that elevates the standard of care for patients.”
Information for Providers: The codes 31242 - Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with destruction by radiofrequency ablation, posterior nasal nerve and 31243 - Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with destruction by cryoablation, posterior nasal nerve have been removed from experimental / investigational status and will not require precertification.
For more information about Cigna’s updated medical policy for RhinAer (CPT 31242), visit: https://static.cigna.com/assets/chcp/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_Future/mm_0119_coveragepositioncriteria_rhinoseptoplasty.pdf
About RhinAer
Using temperature-controlled, radiofrequency technology, RhinAer features a thin, wand-like stylus that is inserted via the nostril to deliver precise therapeutic benefits, while sparing surrounding tissues. RhinAer directly disrupts the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) that triggers excessive mucus production, treating an underlying cause of chronic rhinitis. RhinAer provides ENT physicians with a comprehensive solution for the treatment of chronic rhinitis, addressing sources of rhinorrhea and congestion. The procedure can be performed with a local anesthetic during an office visit, with no incisions, minimal to no downtime, and little discomfort. RhinAer initially received FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2019 and CE Mark in 2020. For more information, visit www.RhinAer.com.
About Aerin Medical
Aerin Medical is a privately held, venture-backed company, headquartered in Mountain View, California. Aerin’s mission is to expand access to meaningful relief for millions of patients suffering from chronic ENT conditions. The company’s products, VivAer® for nasal airway obstruction and RhinAer® for chronic rhinitis, leverage Aerin’s proprietary temperature-controlled technology, which allows ENT physicians to reliably improve patients’ symptoms with unique technologies that are appealing alternatives to invasive surgery. More than 150,000 patients have been treated with Aerin Medical products to date. For more information, please visit www.aerinmedical.com and follow Aerin Medical on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Contacts
Media Contact:
Michael Fanucchi
Aerin Medical
mfanucchi@aerinmedical.com
