CPT code 33019 covers percutaneous pericardial drainage with placement of an indwelling catheter, a procedure used to remove fluid from the pericardial space and allow ongoing drainage. This procedure matters nationally because pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade are time-sensitive conditions with significant morbidity and mortality; timely, coded drainage enables appropriate clinical management, facility resource allocation, and payer adjudication. Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical service represented by CPT code 33019, typical sites of service, and why accurate coding is important for clinical documentation and billing workflows. The publication provides benchmarks where available, notes on coding context and clinical indications, and highlights policy considerations that affect coverage and utilization review at national payers. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.