02NW0ZZRelease Thoracic Aorta, Descending, Open Approach
- Billable / Specific Code
02NW0ZZ is a billable ICD-10-PCS procedure code for Release Thoracic Aorta, Descending, Open Approach. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRGs 252, 253, 254. The root operation Release involves freeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by the use of force.
Code Identity
PCS Table Breakdown
Each ICD-10-PCS code is built from seven characters, each an axis of the procedure. Hover or tap the icons for the official CMS definitions.
| Position | Designation | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Section | 0 | Medical and Surgical |
| 2 | Body System | 2 | Heart and Great Vessels |
| 3 | Operation | N | Release |
| 4 | BodyPart | W | Thoracic Aorta, Descending |
| 5 | Approach | 0 | Open |
| 6 | Device | Z | No Device |
| 7 | Qualifier | Z | No Qualifier |
Convert to ICD-9-PCS
Closest ICD-9-PCS equivalents for 02NW0ZZ under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code History
- 02NX0ZZ — Release Thoracic Aorta, Ascending/Arch, Open Approach
Similar Procedure Codes
Questions About 02NW0ZZ
Is 02NW0ZZ a billable code?
Yes. 02NW0ZZ is a complete seven-character ICD-10-PCS code, specific enough to report Release Thoracic Aorta, Descending, Open Approach on inpatient claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What do the characters in 02NW0ZZ mean?
02NW0ZZ breaks down character by character: the 1st character 0 is the Section (Medical and Surgical); the 2nd character 2 is the Body System (Heart and Great Vessels); the 3rd character N is the Operation (Release); the 4th character W is the BodyPart (Thoracic Aorta, Descending); the 5th character 0 is the Approach (Open); the 6th character Z is the Device (No Device); the 7th character Z is the Qualifier (No Qualifier).
What MS-DRG does 02NW0ZZ group to?
On an inpatient stay, Release Thoracic Aorta, Descending, Open Approach maps to MS-DRGs 252, 253, 254, with relative weights from 1.7817 to 3.4883. The MS-DRG sets the fixed Medicare payment for the stay.
What is the ICD-9-PCS equivalent of 02NW0ZZ?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, Release Thoracic Aorta, Descending, Open Approach crosswalks to ICD-9-PCS 39.91. The mapping is approximate, so confirm it fits the documentation.
