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Independence Blue CrossMedicare Advantage · Administrative · Medical Policy · NJ · Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular SurgeryLow impact

MA11.013c, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF)

Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Jun 19, 2026

Summary

This is a reissue with no substantive changes to Independence Blue Cross Medicare Advantage policy MA11.013c regarding percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure for non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The policy confirms Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) eligibility for patients enrolled in CMS-approved clinical studies and requires Modifier Q0 with CPT 33340 for billing investigational services. No new coverage or billing requirements have been implemented.

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What to do

Action · 5 steps
01No immediate action required.
02This is a routine annual reissue with no changes to coverage or billing requirements.
03Billing team should maintain current processes: continue requiring Modifier Q0 with CPT 33340 for percutaneous LAA closure claims submitted under CMS-approved CED clinical trials.
04Verify patients are enrolled in approved CED studies before claim submission by referencing the CMS CED study list at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/evidence/left-atrial-closure.
05No updates to billing software, prior authorization procedures, or documentation requirements are necessary.

Codes mentioned

33340I48.0I48.11I48.19I48.20I48.21I48.91

Original notice

MA11.013c, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF)
medpolicy.ibx.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all Independence Blue Cross changes →
MA11.013c, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF)LowEffective Jan 1, 2024 · Medical Policy11.02.26c, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial FibrillationLowNo effective date · Medical Policy11.02.26c, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial FibrillationLowNo effective date · Medical PolicyMA11.060h, Catheter Ablation of Cardiac ArrhythmiasLowNo effective date · Medical PolicyBrowse every Independence Blue Cross change in the policy list

Related policy hubs

Independence Blue Cross policiesNJ policy changesCardiologyCardiothoracic SurgeryVascular SurgeryCode 33340Code I48.0Code I48.11Code I48.19Code I48.20Code I48.21Code I48.91

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