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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesPacemaker or Implantable Defibrillator ProceduresCPT cpt-33234-pacemaker-lead-removal-single-lead
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    CPT 33234: Removal of Single Atrial or Ventricular Pacemaker Lead

    Medicare pays $433 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 33234 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes an incision to open the pacemaker pocket and disconnects and removes a single atrial or ventricular electrode lead; this is a lead removal service typically performed as a minor surgical procedure in an operating room, procedure suite, or similar ambulatory surgical setting during management of pacemaker hardware.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA), Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment, Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 78-year-old male with a dual-chamber pacemaker presents with worsening pocket pain, suspected lead malfunction, and intermittent loss of capture of the atrial lead. The electrophysiology team evaluates device interrogation showing high pacing thresholds and nonphysiologic sensing on the atrial channel. After discussion, the plan is to open the pacemaker pocket in the operating room, disconnect and remove the malfunctioning single atrial lead, and preserve the ventricular lead. The patient receives preoperative antibiotics, conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care, and intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure includes incision and pocket exposure, lead disconnection from the generator header, gentle traction and/or use of simple extraction tools to remove the single lead, hemostasis, pocket revision as needed, and reconnection or replacement of the generator or lead management as planned. Postoperative workflow includes device interrogation to confirm function of remaining lead(s), wound closure and dressing, short observation for bleeding or hematoma, and outpatient follow-up for wound check and device programming adjustments.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    33206Insertion or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); atrialPerformed when a new atrial lead is implanted following removal of a malfunctioning atrial lead
    33207Insertion or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); ventricularPerformed when a ventricular lead is inserted or replaced as part of device revision or upgrade
    33210Insertion of pacemaker pulse generator only; with existing leadsUsed when the generator is replaced while existing leads remain after lead removal of the contralateral or same-side lead
    33212Removal of pacemaker pulse generator onlyUsed when only the generator is removed and leads are left in place or managed separately
    33405Extraction of intracardiac device lead, open surgical removalUsed for complex surgical open extraction when simple transvenous removal is not feasible; alternative for difficult leads
    33235Insertion of temporary transvenous electrode lead, open or percutaneousMay be used when temporary pacing is required intraoperatively or postoperatively during lead management

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    207RR0500XRheumatology PhysicianAn internist who treats diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons. This specialist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, comm…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    364SI0800XInformatics Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    102X00000XPoetry TherapistA medical or mental health professional who has attained credentials after satisfactorily completing a poetry therapy training program approved by the…
    291U00000XClinical Medical Laboratory(1) A clinical laboratory is a facility for the biological, microbiological, serological, chemical, immunohematological, hematological, biophysical, c…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 2

    6 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessmentblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-33202-EPICARDIAL-ELECTRODE-INSERTION-OPEN-INCISION

    CPT 33202: Epicardial Electrode Placement via Open Incision

    CPT-33203-ENDOSCOPIC-EPICARDIAL-ELECTRODE-INSERTION

    CPT 33203: Epicardial Electrode Placement via Endoscopic Approach

    CPT-33206-PERMANENT-PACEMAKER-GENERATOR-ATRIAL-LEAD-INSERTION

    CPT 33206: Permanent Pacemaker Generator Insertion with Atrial Lead

    CPT-33207-PERMANENT-PACEMAKER-RIGHT-VENTRICLE-IMPLANT

    CPT 33207: Permanent Pacemaker Insertion with Right Ventricular Lead

    CPT-33208-PERMANENT-PACEMAKER-RIGHT-ATRIAL-AND-VENTRICULAR-LEADS

    CPT 33208: Permanent Pacemaker Insertion, Atrial and Ventricular Leads

    CPT-33210-TEMPORARY-PACEMAKER-INSERTION-REPLACEMENT

    CPT 33210: Temporary Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement

    CPT-33211-TEMPORARY-TRANSVENOUS-DUAL-CHAMBER-PACING

    CPT 33211: Temporary Transvenous Dual-Chamber Pacing Electrodes

    CPT-33212-PACEMAKER-PULSE-GENERATOR-SINGLE-CHAMBER-IMPLANTATION

    CPT 33212: Single‑Chamber Pacemaker Pulse Generator Placement

    CPT-33213-DUAL-PACEMAKER-PULSE-GENERATOR-INSERTION

    CPT 33213: Dual-Chamber Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion

    CPT-33214-PACEMAKER-SINGLE-TO-DUAL-CHAMBER-CONVERSION

    CPT 33214: Conversion of Single-Chamber Pacemaker to Dual-Chamber System

    Showing 1–10 of 38

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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