2026 MIPS Measure #168: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): Surgical Re-Exploration

Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG surgery who require a return to the operating room (OR) for mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native vessel, graft or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention or other cardiac reason during the current hospitalization.

This measure is to be submitted each time an isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure is performed during the performance period. It is anticipated that Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who provide services for isolated CABG will submit this measure. This measure is intended to reflect the quality of the surgical services provided for isolated CABG or isolated reoperation CABG patients. Isolated CABG refers to CABG using arterial and/or venous grafts only.

All patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery

All patients aged 18 years and older on date of surgery

AND

Patient procedure during the performance period (CPT): 33509, 33510, 33511, 33512, 33513, 33514, 33516, 33533, 33534, 33535, 33536

WITHOUT

Telehealth Modifier (including but not limited to): GQ, GT, 95, POS 02, POS 10

OR

Patient procedure during the performance period (CPT): 33509, 33510, 33511, 33512, 33513, 33514, 33516, 33533, 33534, 33535, 33536

AND

Patient procedure during the performance period (CPT): 33530

Patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery who require a return to the OR for mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native vessel, graft or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention or other cardiac reason during the current hospitalization

Performance Met:

Re-exploration required due to mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native, vessel, graft, or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention, or other cardiac reason (G8577)

OR

Performance Not Met:

Re-exploration not required due to mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native, vessel, graft, or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention, or other cardiac reason (G8578)

In 2000, CABG surgery was performed on more than 350,000 patients at a cost of close to $20 billion. Re-exploration after surgery is a serious complication that impacts length of stay, efficient use of resources, and increases risk for additional complications and death. As one of several major complications of cardiac surgery, repeat surgery is particularly worrisome for consumers and is an inefficient use of resources.

Re-exploration after surgery is a serious complication that impacts length of stay, efficient use of resources, and increases risk for additional complications and death. This measure is currently in use by approximately 65% of providers in the United States who perform cardiac surgery and report data to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database.