Traditional MedicareCoverageMedium impact
Ventricular Assist Devices
Medicare/CMS - NCD·Cardiothoracic Surgery, Critical Care, Cardiology·National Coverage Determination
We identified it
Oct 27, 2026
Summary
This is a National Coverage Determination (NCD 20.9.1) for Ventricular Assist Devices that was last updated on 2026-10-26. The policy document itself does not contain specific change details, billing codes, effective dates, or actionable requirements in the provided extract. The billing team should access the full CMS policy text at the provided URL to determine current coverage criteria, coding requirements, and any recent modifications to VAD coverage rules.
Action Required
Billing team should review the complete National Coverage Determination 20.9.1 for Ventricular Assist Devices at https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/data/ncd?ncdid=360&ncdver=2 to confirm current coverage policies, required documentation, applicable billing codes, and any prior authorization requirements. Verify whether this update (dated 2026-10-26) represents a substantive policy change or a routine review. Document the current coverage criteria in the practice's billing compliance procedures and ensure all VAD-related claims are adjudicated according to the most recent determination.