CPT code 33031 represents pericardiectomy—surgical excision of the pericardium performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. This high-acuity cardiac surgical code is used for definitive treatment of constrictive pericarditis, recurrent pericardial effusion causing hemodynamic compromise, and other conditions requiring removal of the pericardial sac. Nationally, the code is relevant because it denotes complex, resource-intensive inpatient cardiac surgery with implications for operative staffing, intensive care utilization, and hospital reimbursement.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the operational implications of billing for CPT code 33031. The publication covers expected care setting and service type, common billing modifiers (listed separately), and how CPT code 33031 fits into cardiac surgical service lines. It also outlines what operational stakeholders should know about case complexity, inpatient resource needs, and documentation elements that support billing for this procedure.

Data not available in the input for specific payer rates, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 diagnosis pairings.