Summary & Overview
CPT 33212: Pacemaker Pulse Generator Placement, Single-Chamber
CPT code 33212 denotes the surgical placement of a new pacemaker pulse generator into a subcutaneous chest pocket for patients with arrhythmia who have a single intracardiac lead. This code captures a common cardiac device implantation procedure with implications for perioperative care, device management, and payment policy across inpatient and outpatient settings. Nationally, pacemaker implantations are a core component of cardiovascular device services and drive utilization in electrophysiology and cardiac surgery practices.
Key payers in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for single-chamber pulse generator placement, typical sites of service, and the service type. The publication outlines benchmarking elements and payer coverage considerations where available, and highlights operational and coding factors relevant to hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and cardiology practices.
This summary provides the clinical and billing baseline for 33212, clarifies where the procedure is commonly performed, and identifies what supplementary details are available and what is not provided in the input. Data not available in the input: associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific reimbursement rates or policy language.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33212 describes the placement of a new pacemaker pulse generator in a subcutaneous pocket on the chest for artificial regulation of the heartbeat in patients with arrhythmia. The procedure is performed when a single intracardiac lead is present (single-chamber system).
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Service type: Device implantation, pacemaker pulse generator replacement/placement for single-chamber lead systems
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or cardiac catheterization/implantation suite; may also be performed in specialized ambulatory surgical centers equipped for cardiac device implantation
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 78-year-old male with symptomatic bradycardia due to sick sinus syndrome is scheduled for implantation of a single‑chamber permanent pacemaker. The patient presents to the electrophysiology laboratory after preoperative evaluation including device counseling, informed consent, anticoagulation management, and preop antibiotic prophylaxis. Under conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care in the procedure suite, the electrophysiologist creates a subcutaneous pocket in the left anterior chest and places a new single‑chamber pacing lead into the right ventricle (or uses an existing single lead depending on scenario) and connects it to a new pacemaker pulse generator. Device testing (sensing, pacing thresholds, and impedance) is performed intraoperatively and the pocket and incision are closed. Postprocedure, the patient is observed in a recovery area or short‑stay unit for lead function, wound status, and hemodynamic stability, with device programming and documentation of parameters prior to discharge to home or an inpatient bed.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no special modifier applies to the service. |
11 | Primary procedure |