Endovascular Stent Grafts for Disorders of the Thoracic Aorta
Endovascular stent grafts using FDA-approved devices may be considered medically necessary for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms used according to FDA-approved specifications, for acute complicated (organ or limb ischemia or rupture) type B thoracic aortic dissection, and for traumatic descending aortic tears or rupture. Endovascular stent grafts are investigational for descending aortic disorders that do not meet these criteria, including uncomplicated aortic dissection, and for ascending aortic disorders, including thoracic aortic arch aneurysms. The 05/29/2026 update changed the device description and the policy guidelines on endograft placement and removed the ICD-9 procedure and diagnosis codes from the code reference, with the policy statements unchanged.