Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS)

TRICARE covers LVRS for patients with severe upper lobe predominant emphysema or severe non-upper lobe emphysema with low exercise capacity. Patients must meet the following selection criteria:

1. History and physical exam consistent with emphysema
2. Patient has not smoked for 4 or more months
3. For patients with cardiac ejection fraction less then 45%, there is no history of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction within six months of consideration for surgery;
4. The patient completes a pre-operative workup

Contact your regional contractor for specific limitation and exclusion criteria.