Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Question: Can you explain the classification changes for thoracic aneurysm repair in 2012?
Answer: CMS previously grouped all thoracic aneurysm repairs together, under MS-DRG 237 (Major cardiovascular procedures with MCC or thoracic aneurysm repair) and MS-DRG 238 (Major cardiovascular procedures without MCC). These weren't the most accurate classifications, considering that they covered such a wide range of procedures (including both stent placement and open repair for a thoracic aneurysm).
For FY 2012, CMS moved the procedures to higher paying classifications. Now you'll find them under MS-DRG 219 (Cardiac valve and other major cardiothoracic procedure without cardiac catheterization with MCC) and MS-DRG 221 (Cardiac valve and other major cardiothoracic procedure without cardiac catheterization and without CC/MCC).