Summary & Overview
Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures without Intraluminal Device with MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview
DRG 250 covers percutaneous cardiovascular procedures without placement of an intraluminal device when a Major Complication or Comorbidity is present, encompassing diagnostic and therapeutic catheter-based interventions complicated by severe coexisting conditions. This grouping matters for inpatient reimbursement because the Major Complication or Comorbidity component drives higher Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group payment relative to less complex cases.
DRG 250 Overview
DRG 250 groups inpatient cases for percutaneous cardiovascular procedures without implantation of an intraluminal device when a Major Complication or Comorbidity is present. This includes transcatheter diagnostic or therapeutic vascular interventions performed without placing stents or other intraluminal devices and complicated by significant comorbid conditions. It matters for Medicare payment because the presence of a Major Complication or Comorbidity increases resource use and typically results in higher Diagnosis-Related Group reimbursement relative to cases without such complications. Accurate coding of the principal procedure and the Major Complication or Comorbidity is essential for correct assignment of the Diagnosis-Related Group and associated payment.
National Payment Rates
Across commercial payers, negotiated rates for DRG 250 range from as low as $370 (BCBS minimum) up to $91K (Anthem maximum), with mean payer averages clustering between $22K and $35K; the widest spread in observed allowed amounts is between BCBS and Anthem. See the payer-specific table and chart below for full distribution and quartiles by Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and Anthem.
The CMS 2023 data represent national Medicare fee-for-service inpatient payments reported under the CMS Provider Utilization and Payment Data program. The table below shows average total payment ($21.8k), average submitted covered charges ($128.1k), average Medicare payment ($18.3k), and total discharges (3.5k).