Cigna Expands Coverage of Glaucoma Surgical Procedures to Include Canaloplasty and Goniotomy (Trabeculotomy)

Cigna has updated its 'Glaucoma Surgical Procedure' policy to cover both ab interno canaloplasty and goniotomy (trabeculotomy) procedures for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma, effective June 15, 2023.

“We are pleased that Cigna’s clinical review resulted in expanded coverage of certain non-implant, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (“MIGS”) procedures including canaloplasty and goniotomy for its patients,” Paul Badawi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sight Sciences, said in a company news release. “As a result of this positive coverage policy, Cigna’s members will have access to the OMNI outflow restorative procedure that addresses all three points of resistance when deemed medically necessary by their ophthalmologist. We believe Cigna’s decision affirms the shift towards safer, less invasive, but more comprehensive surgical inventions, and cements the role that OMNI’s technology serves within the glaucoma treatment paradigm for surgeons and patients.”

Cigna is one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States with close to 15 million people covered.

“We are pleased that Cigna has expanded coverage and increased patient access to more minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries,” said Elena Sturman, President and CEO of The Glaucoma Foundation. “Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. Improving access to less invasive outflow restorative procedures is an important addition for glaucoma patients.”

Cigna Healthcare’s updated Glaucoma Surgical Procedures policy can be found here.