Summary & Overview
CPT 33510: Coronary Artery Bypass, Single Venous Graft
CPT code 33510 is a critical billing code for coronary artery bypass surgery involving a single venous graft. This procedure is a cornerstone in the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease, offering patients improved blood flow and reduced risk of cardiac events. The code is widely recognized across major national payers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare, ensuring broad coverage for patients undergoing this life-saving intervention.
This publication provides a comprehensive overview of 33510, detailing its clinical context, typical site of service, and its role within cardiothoracic surgery. Readers will gain insights into payer coverage, relevant policy updates, and benchmarks for utilization. The analysis also highlights common billing modifiers and associated taxonomies, offering clarity on coding practices and physician specialties involved. Additionally, the publication outlines related CPT codes for multi-graft procedures and lists key ICD-10 diagnoses commonly linked to coronary artery bypass surgery.
Healthcare professionals, administrators, and policy analysts will find this resource valuable for understanding national trends, payer policies, and clinical applications of 33510. The information supports accurate coding, reimbursement, and compliance in the evolving landscape of cardiovascular surgical care.
CPT Code Overview
CPT code 33510 represents a coronary artery bypass procedure using a single venous graft. This code is used in cardiothoracic surgery to treat patients with coronary artery disease by bypassing blocked arteries with a vein graft. The procedure is typically performed in an inpatient hospital setting (Place of Service 21), reflecting its complexity and the need for specialized postoperative care. This code is central to the management of advanced cardiovascular conditions requiring surgical intervention.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an adult patient admitted to an inpatient hospital setting with significant atherosclerotic heart disease affecting the native coronary arteries. The patient may present with symptoms such as chest pain, unstable angina, or evidence of myocardial ischemia. After diagnostic evaluation, the patient is determined to require surgical revascularization. The procedure performed is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using a single venous graft, as described by CPT code 33510. The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment, intraoperative bypass using a vein graft to restore blood flow to a blocked coronary artery, and postoperative care in a cardiothoracic unit.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
51(Multiple Procedures): Used when more than one procedure is performed during the same operative session. Indicates that33510is one of several procedures. -
Modifier
59(Distinct Procedural Service): Used to identify procedures/services that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. Indicates that33510is distinct from other services performed.
| Provider Taxonomy Code | Specialty Name |
|---|---|
208G00000X | Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) |
207RC0000X | Cardiovascular Disease Physician |
208600000X | Surgery Physician |
Related Diagnoses
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I25.10- Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris- Indicates coronary artery disease without angina; relevant for patients needing bypass due to ischemia.
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I25.110- Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery with unstable angina pectoris- Represents patients with coronary artery disease and unstable angina, a common indication for urgent CABG.
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I25.119- Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery with unspecified angina pectoris- Used when angina is present but not further specified; relevant for CABG candidates.
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I25.700- Atherosclerosis of coronary artery bypass graft(s), unspecified, with unstable angina pectoris- Indicates disease in existing bypass grafts with unstable angina; may require repeat bypass surgery.
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I25.709- Atherosclerosis of coronary artery bypass graft(s), unspecified, with unspecified angina pectoris- Used for patients with graft disease and unspecified angina; relevant for those needing additional grafting.
Related CPT Codes
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33511- CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS, VEIN ONLY; 2 CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS- Used when two venous grafts are placed during CABG. Related to
33510as an extension for additional grafts.
- Used when two venous grafts are placed during CABG. Related to
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33512- CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS, VEIN ONLY; 3 CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS- Used for three venous grafts. Selected when more extensive bypass is required.
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33513- CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS, VEIN ONLY; 4 CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS- Used for four venous grafts. Indicates a more complex procedure than
33510.
- Used for four venous grafts. Indicates a more complex procedure than
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33514- CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS, VEIN ONLY; 5 CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS- Used for five venous grafts. Represents further extension of the procedure.
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33516- CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS, VEIN ONLY; 6+ CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS- Used when six or more venous grafts are placed. Selected for extensive coronary disease.
These codes are alternatives to 33510 based on the number of grafts performed. Only one of these codes is typically used per patient per procedure, depending on the clinical need.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
For CPT code 33510, the national mean rate for Medicare is $1,823.97, while the average commercial benchmark (BUCA) is $2,542.07. This indicates that commercial payers generally reimburse at higher rates than Medicare for this procedure.
Rate dispersion, measured by the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, varies significantly across payers. Medicare shows the tightest range ($139.00), suggesting more consistent reimbursement levels. UnitedHealth Group has the widest dispersion ($2,046.50), reflecting greater variability in rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna also display moderate ranges, while Cigna and BUCA have broader spreads.
The table and chart below present a detailed breakdown of national benchmarks for each payer, including mean rates and percentile values.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.