Summary & Overview
Aortic and Heart Assist Procedures Except Pulsation Balloon without MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview
DRG 269 encompasses aortic and mechanical heart assist procedures other than intra-aortic balloon pump placement without a Major Complication or Comorbidity. This Diagnosis-Related Group defines a bundled inpatient payment category important for Medicare inpatient reimbursement and reflects resource intensity for durable mechanical circulatory support procedures.
DRG 269 Overview
DRG 269 covers inpatient admissions for aortic and mechanical heart assist device procedures, excluding intra-aortic balloon pump placement, when no Major Complication or Comorbidity is present. This Diagnosis-Related Group captures cases with significant resource use related to implantation, exchange, or removal of ventricular assist devices and other durable mechanical circulatory support. It matters for Medicare payment because it groups clinically similar procedures to determine bundled inpatient reimbursement under prospective payment policies. Accurate clinical documentation and coding affect assignment to this Diagnosis-Related Group and therefore the inpatient payment level.