Summary & Overview
CPT 33202: Epicardial and Pericardial Electrode Insertion
CPT code 33202 designates open surgical insertion of one or more electrodes on the epicardial surface and pericardium. It captures procedures where pacing or sensing leads are placed directly on the heart via an open incision, typically during thoracic or cardiac surgical procedures. This code is significant nationally because it documents invasive, operative cardiac device work that has implications for hospital billing, resource use, and surgical quality measurement.
Key national payers commonly involved in reimbursement for these services include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find benchmark context for how this operative code is classified, guidance on typical sites of service and clinical circumstances that prompt epicardial lead placement, and a concise overview of associated billing considerations.
The publication outlines clinical context for epicardial electrode insertion, clarifies where the procedure is typically performed, and summarizes the kinds of analyses and policy topics relevant to this code — including utilization benchmarks, coding specificity, and payer coverage patterns where available. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33202 describes the insertion of one or more electrodes on the epicardial surface and pericardium through an open incision. The procedure involves direct surgical placement of pacing or sensing leads onto the exterior surface of the heart and surrounding pericardial tissue.
-
Service type: Open surgical epicardial electrode placement
-
Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient operating room or surgical suite where open thoracic procedures are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult undergoing open‑chest cardiac surgery who requires epicardial electrode placement for intraoperative and postoperative cardiac monitoring or temporary pacing. For example, a 68‑year‑old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy and symptomatic bradyarrhythmia undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through median sternotomy receives one or more epicardial pacing wires placed on the epicardial surface and pericardium before chest closure. The clinical workflow: preoperative assessment and consent, general anesthesia and median sternotomy, definitive cardiac procedure (e.g., CABG, valve repair/replacement), insertion of epicardial electrodes through the open incision onto the epicardium/pericardium as needed, securing leads and externalizing wires for temporary postoperative pacing or monitoring, chest closure, postoperative monitoring in the cardiac ICU with pacing/monitoring as indicated, and removal of temporary epicardial wires at the bedside when clinically appropriate.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Unmodified claim | Standard reporting when no modifiers apply |
11 | Constitutes a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same date of the procedure |