Conversion of Anti-Coagulants to Heparin Before and After Elective Surgery (CPB 0200, reviewed 2026-03-25)
Aetna considers continuous intravenous heparin infusion medically necessary for members taking apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban or warfarin who require maintenance of anticoagulation before and after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. For most members, pre-procedure weaning of the oral anticoagulant may be safely accomplished on an outpatient basis. When circumstances arise that might compromise the member's state of anticoagulation such that thrombotic complications may occur, up to 3 inpatient pre-procedure days may be considered medically necessary.