diff --git a/.github/scripts/notify-pr-merge-review.mjs b/.github/scripts/notify-pr-merge-review.mjs
index 714a43c5a05..63ca5cc4895 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/notify-pr-merge-review.mjs
+++ b/.github/scripts/notify-pr-merge-review.mjs
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@ export function green(pr, requiredNames = minimumChecks) {
   const passed = (check) => check.__typename === "StatusContext"
     ? check.state === "SUCCESS"
     : check.__typename === "CheckRun" && check.status === "COMPLETED" && check.conclusion === "SUCCESS";
-  // A skipped routing lane is normal. A skipped required aggregate is not a pass.
+  // Optional skipped/neutral checks can mean no work or unavailable coverage.
+  // They permit assessment, not approval. Required checks must really succeed.
   return relevant.every((check) => passed(check) || (check.__typename === "CheckRun" &&
-      check.status === "COMPLETED" && check.conclusion === "SKIPPED")) &&
+      check.status === "COMPLETED" && ["SKIPPED", "NEUTRAL"].includes(check.conclusion))) &&
     [...new Set([...minimumChecks, ...requiredNames])].every((name) =>
       relevant.some((check) => (check.name ?? check.context) === name && passed(check)));
 }
diff --git a/.github/scripts/tests/notify-pr-merge-review.test.mjs b/.github/scripts/tests/notify-pr-merge-review.test.mjs
index 0f128a86735..baff48c312b 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/tests/notify-pr-merge-review.test.mjs
+++ b/.github/scripts/tests/notify-pr-merge-review.test.mjs
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@ test("waits for pending checks and statuses, permits skipped optional routing la
   }
   assert.equal(green(candidate({ statusCheckRollup: [...candidate().statusCheckRollup,
     check("not selected", "SKIPPED"), { __typename: "StatusContext", context: "security", state: "SUCCESS" }] })), true);
+  assert.equal(green(candidate({ statusCheckRollup: [...candidate().statusCheckRollup,
+    check("optional scanner coverage", "NEUTRAL")] })), true);
 });
 
 test("excludes its own notification and profiling exporter, but not other workflows", () => {
diff --git a/doc/PR-MERGE-REVIEW-WEBHOOK.md b/doc/PR-MERGE-REVIEW-WEBHOOK.md
index 9406f756164..a1eab6bd0eb 100644
--- a/doc/PR-MERGE-REVIEW-WEBHOOK.md
+++ b/doc/PR-MERGE-REVIEW-WEBHOOK.md
@@ -36,9 +36,10 @@ When adding another PR verification workflow, add its name to `workflow_run`.
 
 The notifier reads the current PR's status rollup and branch rules. Both
 `ci / verify` and `ci / e2e`, plus any additional required checks, must succeed.
-Other checks must succeed or be explicitly skipped. A neutral result is not a
-pass. Skipped optional routing lanes do not imply that their tests ran. The
-advisory routine evaluates actual coverage and reviews before recommending merge.
+Other checks must succeed or finish as skipped or neutral. Optional skipped or
+neutral checks permit an assessment; they do not prove successful verification.
+For example, a neutral scanner can mean coverage is unavailable. The advisory
+routine evaluates these evidence gaps and reviews before recommending merge.
 The notification workflow itself and the optional CI profile exporter are
 excluded from verification checks to avoid feedback loops.