CPT 35602, in plain terms, covers Bypass graft with synthetic or non-vein material from one carotid artery to the carotid artery on the opposite side. CPT 35602 is referenced in 12 tracked payer policy changes from CareSource, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and 4 other payers. For billers and coders, staying current on payer-specific coverage criteria, reimbursement rules, and prior-authorization requirements for CPT 35602 is critical to clean claim submission. Each entry below links to the full policy analysis with effective dates and action steps.
Official descriptor: CPT 35602 on AAPC
CareSource Georgia Medicaid is requiring prior authorization for 90+ new codes across multiple categories including durable medical equipment, hearing services, inpatient facility services, and outpatient diagnostics/services, effective August 1, 2026. Prior authorization will be mandatory for all nonparticipating providers and inpatient service requests.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan released 35 updated medical policies effective January 2026, with the most critical changes being: (1) CPT code additions/deletions across multiple specialties effective 01/01/2026, (2) new investigational statements for Tibial Nerve Stimulation and Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenting, and (3) updated coverage denials for specific liver transplant indications. Most policies underwent annual reviews with no intent changes, but coding section updates require immediate billing system modifications.
Independence Blue Cross updated MA11.062d to reflect annual CPT code changes effective 01/01/2026. Three CPT codes (33880, 33881, 33883) had narrative revisions; two new codes (33882, 35602) were added for endovascular thoracic aorta repair; and three codes (33884, 33889, 33891) were terminated. Coverage criteria remain unchanged—endovascular stent graft repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms, nonaneurysmal lesions, and rupture remain covered when FDA-approved devices are used.
Independence Blue Cross reissued MA11.062d with CPT code updates effective 01/01/2026: three codes (33880, 33881, 33883) were revised, two codes (33882, 35602) were added as covered, and three codes (33884, 33889, 33891) were terminated. Coverage criteria remain unchanged—endovascular stent graft repair for thoracic aortic aneurysms and nonaneurysmal lesions of the descending thoracic aorta using FDA-approved devices continues to be covered when medically necessary.
Independence Blue Cross updated policy 11.02.17j effective 01/01/2026 to reflect HCPCS/CPT code changes for endovascular stent graft repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Three CPT codes (33880, 33881, 33883) had narratives revised, two codes (33882, 35602) were added, and three codes (33884, 33889, 33891) were terminated. Coverage criteria remain unchanged: endovascular stent graft repair is medically necessary for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, nonaneurysmal lesions, and rupture when FDA-approved devices are used.
Independence Blue Cross has reissued policy 11.02.17j with CPT code updates effective 01/01/2026. Three CPT codes (33880, 33881, 33883) have revised narratives, two codes (33882, 35602) have been added as medically necessary, and three codes (33884, 33889, 33891) have been terminated. The policy maintains coverage for endovascular stent graft repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms, nonaneurysmal lesions, and ruptures when using FDA-approved devices.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina updated 34 medical policies effective January 1, 2026, primarily involving annual reviews and CPT code changes. Multiple policies added new codes while deleting outdated ones, with most changes having no impact on coverage intent.
Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2026, Indiana Medicaid lists the new CPT, CDT and other HCPCS codes from the 2026 annual HCPCS update as either covered or noncovered, and shows whether each one requires prior authorization or NDC. Codes discontinued in the update are listed with alternate code considerations, and the source states that inclusion of an alternate code does not indicate IHCP coverage of that alternate code. The IHCP is awaiting the final posting of the CMS fee schedules that set pricing for these codes, and reimbursement amounts will be posted on the Professional Fee Schedule and Outpatient Fee Schedule once pricing is established.
The Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) set coverage and billing information for procedure codes added in the 2026 annual HCPCS update, effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2026. Codes marked covered in Table 1 do not require prior authorization, codes marked noncovered are not covered for any IHCP program, and C9307 and C9308 require an NDC. Discontinued codes are listed with alternate code considerations, and this bulletin replaces IHCP Bulletin BT2025188.
Aetna considers angioplasty with carotid stenting medically necessary when an FDA-approved carotid stent and an FDA-approved or cleared embolic protection device are used for symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 50% or asymptomatic stenosis of at least 70%, with duplex ultrasound as first-line evaluation, CTA or MRA confirmation when not contraindicated, and neurological assessment before and after stenting. Carotid endarterectomy is considered medically necessary for asymptomatic stenosis greater than 70% or symptomatic stenosis greater than 50%, and endovascular repair of intracranial aneurysms using stent-assisted coiling or flow diverting stents is also considered medically necessary. Intracranial angioplasty is considered medically necessary for medically refractory symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia (cerebral vasospasm) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, while carotid revascularization is considered not medically necessary for members with a disabling stroke (modified Rankin scale 3 or greater), and extracranial vertebral stenting for asymptomatic stenosis, drug-eluting stents for extracranial artery stenosis, intracranial angioplasty and stenting for atherosclerotic stenosis, emergent large artery occlusion and all other indications, and permanent common carotid embolic protection devices are considered experimental, investigational or unproven.
Aetna considers percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the extracranial carotid arteries with an FDA-approved carotid stent and an FDA-approved or cleared embolic protection device medically necessary when the member has symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 50% or asymptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 70%, and the listed criteria are met. Carotid endarterectomy is considered medically necessary for asymptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 70% or symptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 50%, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of intracranial arteries is considered medically necessary for medically refractory symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia (cerebral vasospasm) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intracranial angioplasty or stenting for atherosclerotic stenosis, emergent large artery occlusion and all other indications, and extracranial vertebral angioplasty or stenting for asymptomatic vertebral artery stenosis, are considered experimental, investigational or unproven.
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.
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