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CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

CPT code 33250 denotes a cardiac procedure that destroys a small area of heart tissue above the ventricles to treat an abnormal heart rhythm, performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. This code captures a common electrophysiology intervention used to manage supraventricular arrhythmias and other focal rhythm disturbances. Nationally, the code is relevant to hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and cardiac specialty practices that provide catheter-based ablation services.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication offers a concise overview of clinical context, coding specifics, and payer coverage patterns where available.

Readers will learn the clinical purpose of CPT code 33250, typical sites of service, and which major payers are commonly involved in coverage and reimbursement. The report also summarizes benchmarking and policy-relevant considerations tied to electrophysiology procedures, and identifies where input data is not available. Data not available in the input.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 33250 describes a cardiac procedure in which the provider destroys a small area of heart tissue located above the ventricles that is responsible for producing an abnormal heart rhythm. The procedure is performed without placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass.

Service type: Cardiac arrhythmia ablation procedure
Typical site of service: Electrophysiology laboratory or cardiac catheterization suite (hospital outpatient department or specialized ambulatory surgical center)

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CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Cardiac arrhythmia ablation procedure
Typical site of service: Electrophysiology laboratory or cardiac catheterization suite (hospital outpatient department or specialized ambulatory surgical center)

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia presents to the electrophysiology lab for catheter ablation. The patient has episodes of palpitations, dizziness, and documented narrow-complex tachycardia on ECG and ambulatory monitor. After pre-procedure evaluation including review of anticoagulation, informed consent, and cessation or adjustment of antiarrhythmic medications per protocol, the patient is brought to the EP suite. Under conscious sedation or general anesthesia (but not cardiopulmonary bypass), vascular access is obtained, intracardiac mapping catheters are placed, and targeted radiofrequency or cryoenergy is delivered to the small region of atrial tissue above the ventricles responsible for the arrhythmia. Post-ablation testing confirms noninducibility of the clinical arrhythmia. The patient is observed in recovery, monitored for access-site complications and arrhythmia recurrence, and discharged same day or after an overnight observation depending on clinical status and institutional protocols.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Normal baseline service	Use when the service is the primary procedure performed without complication.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when additional work beyond the typical service is documented (unusual complexity).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use if general anesthesia is required for an otherwise non-anesthetized procedure and is documented as medically necessary.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the physician's professional interpretation or service separate from technical components.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned and documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances after anesthesia is administered.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when the documentation supports concurrent participation by two surgeons with distinct roles.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants/children	Use if patient is a pediatric case and payer requires this modifier for special handling.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Use when a related operative procedure is performed emergently in the postoperative global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs part of the procedure and documentation supports the assistant role.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimum assistant role is documented.
`82`	Assistant surgeon when qualified resident not available	Use when a non-board-certified assistant surgeon is used because a qualified resident is not available.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services	Use when a qualified nonphysician practitioner performs part of the service and payer accepts this modifier.
`QX`	CRNA service with anesthesiologist absent	Use when a certified registered nurse anesthetist performs anesthesia without medical direction by an anesthesiologist.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Cardiac Electrophysiology	Electrophysiologists perform catheter ablation for arrhythmias.
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease	Interventional cardiologists with EP training may perform ablations in some centers.
208000000X	Internal Medicine	Hospitalists or internists manage pre- and post-procedure medical optimization and follow-up.
363A00000X	Registered Nurse Anesthetist	Provides sedation or anesthesia support in the EP lab when required.
333600000X	Physician Assistant	May assist with procedural support and follow-up under physician supervision.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I47.1`	Supraventricular tachycardia	Common indication for catheter ablation targeting atrial tissue above the ventricles.
`I48.0`	Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation	May require targeted ablation when originating from atrial foci above the ventricles.
`I48.1`	Persistent atrial fibrillation	Considered for ablation therapies when medically indicated and refractory to meds.
`I49.01`	Ventricular fibrillation	Not a direct target for this specific above-ventricular ablation code but relevant in broader arrhythmia management — included for context.
`I45.6`	Pre-excitation syndrome (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White)	Ablation of accessory pathways above the ventricles is a standard curative therapy.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`93613`	Mapping for arrhythmia; including electroanatomic mapping for catheter ablation	Performed before or during ablation to identify arrhythmogenic focus and guide therapy.
`93656`	Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of multiple catheters, with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia and ablation when performed	Often billed when a full diagnostic EP study with induction and ablation are performed in the same setting.
`33208`	Insertion, repositioning, removal of temporary transvenous lead, pacing or cardioversion	May be required peri-procedurally for pacing support or management of bradyarrhythmias during ablation.
`93797`	Physician or other qualified health care professional services for remote monitoring of cardiac device transmission	May be used in follow-up when patients have implanted devices that require monitoring after ablation.
`93010`	Electrocardiographic rhythm strip(s) tracing report, follow-up or routine monitoring	Used pre- and post-procedure for rhythm documentation and immediate clinical assessment.

CPT 33251: Surgical Cardiac Ablation With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

CPT-33254-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33254: Atrial Ablation with Left and Right Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33255-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION-OFF-PUMP

CPT 33255: Atrial Ablation and Reconstruction, Off‑Pump

CPT-33256-ATRIAL-ABLATION-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33256: Atrial Ablation with Left and Right Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33257-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-RECONSTRUCTION-ADD-ON

CPT 33257: Atrial Tissue Ablation and Atrial Reconstruction (Add-On)

CPT-33258-ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION-NO-BYPASS

CPT 33258: Surgical Atrial Ablation with Extensive Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33259-EXTENSIVE-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33259: Extensive Atrial Ablation and Reconstruction

CPT-33261-CARDIAC-VENTRICULAR-ABLATION-CARDIOPULMONARY-BYPASS

CPT 33261: Surgical Ventricular Ablation with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

CPT-33264-IMPLANTABLE-DEFIBRILLATOR-PULSE-GENERATOR-REPLACEMENT-THREE-CHAMBER

CPT 33264: Implantable Defibrillator Pulse Generator Removal and Replacement

CPT-33267-LEFT-ATRIAL-APPENDAGE-EXCLUSION-OPEN-SURGERY

CPT 33267: Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion, Open Surgical Procedure

Showing 1–10 of 11

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Normal baseline service	Use when the service is the primary procedure performed without complication.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when additional work beyond the typical service is documented (unusual complexity).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use if general anesthesia is required for an otherwise non-anesthetized procedure and is documented as medically necessary.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the physician's professional interpretation or service separate from technical components.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned and documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances after anesthesia is administered.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when the documentation supports concurrent participation by two surgeons with distinct roles.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants/children	Use if patient is a pediatric case and payer requires this modifier for special handling.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Use when a related operative procedure is performed emergently in the postoperative global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs part of the procedure and documentation supports the assistant role.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimum assistant role is documented.
`82`	Assistant surgeon when qualified resident not available	Use when a non-board-certified assistant surgeon is used because a qualified resident is not available.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services	Use when a qualified nonphysician practitioner performs part of the service and payer accepts this modifier.
`QX`	CRNA service with anesthesiologist absent	Use when a certified registered nurse anesthetist performs anesthesia without medical direction by an anesthesiologist.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Cardiac Electrophysiology	Electrophysiologists perform catheter ablation for arrhythmias.
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease	Interventional cardiologists with EP training may perform ablations in some centers.
208000000X	Internal Medicine	Hospitalists or internists manage pre- and post-procedure medical optimization and follow-up.
363A00000X	Registered Nurse Anesthetist	Provides sedation or anesthesia support in the EP lab when required.
333600000X	Physician Assistant	May assist with procedural support and follow-up under physician supervision.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I47.1`	Supraventricular tachycardia	Common indication for catheter ablation targeting atrial tissue above the ventricles.
`I48.0`	Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation	May require targeted ablation when originating from atrial foci above the ventricles.
`I48.1`	Persistent atrial fibrillation	Considered for ablation therapies when medically indicated and refractory to meds.
`I49.01`	Ventricular fibrillation	Not a direct target for this specific above-ventricular ablation code but relevant in broader arrhythmia management — included for context.
`I45.6`	Pre-excitation syndrome (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White)	Ablation of accessory pathways above the ventricles is a standard curative therapy.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`93613`	Mapping for arrhythmia; including electroanatomic mapping for catheter ablation	Performed before or during ablation to identify arrhythmogenic focus and guide therapy.
`93656`	Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of multiple catheters, with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia and ablation when performed	Often billed when a full diagnostic EP study with induction and ablation are performed in the same setting.
`33208`	Insertion, repositioning, removal of temporary transvenous lead, pacing or cardioversion	May be required peri-procedurally for pacing support or management of bradyarrhythmias during ablation.
`93797`	Physician or other qualified health care professional services for remote monitoring of cardiac device transmission	May be used in follow-up when patients have implanted devices that require monitoring after ablation.
`93010`	Electrocardiographic rhythm strip(s) tracing report, follow-up or routine monitoring	Used pre- and post-procedure for rhythm documentation and immediate clinical assessment.

CPT 33251: Surgical Cardiac Ablation With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

CPT-33254-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33254: Atrial Ablation with Left and Right Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33255-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION-OFF-PUMP

CPT 33255: Atrial Ablation and Reconstruction, Off‑Pump

CPT-33256-ATRIAL-ABLATION-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33256: Atrial Ablation with Left and Right Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33257-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-RECONSTRUCTION-ADD-ON

CPT 33257: Atrial Tissue Ablation and Atrial Reconstruction (Add-On)

CPT-33258-ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION-ATRIAL-RECONSTRUCTION-NO-BYPASS

CPT 33258: Surgical Atrial Ablation with Extensive Atrial Reconstruction

CPT-33259-EXTENSIVE-ATRIAL-ABLATION-AND-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 33259: Extensive Atrial Ablation and Reconstruction

CPT-33261-CARDIAC-VENTRICULAR-ABLATION-CARDIOPULMONARY-BYPASS

CPT 33261: Surgical Ventricular Ablation with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

CPT-33264-IMPLANTABLE-DEFIBRILLATOR-PULSE-GENERATOR-REPLACEMENT-THREE-CHAMBER

CPT 33264: Implantable Defibrillator Pulse Generator Removal and Replacement

CPT-33267-LEFT-ATRIAL-APPENDAGE-EXCLUSION-OPEN-SURGERY

CPT 33267: Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion, Open Surgical Procedure

Showing 1–10 of 11

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

Sign up for cpt 33250 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 33250: Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Without Bypass

Sign up for cpt 33250 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 33250 describe and where is it usually performed?

Which diagnoses or clinical indications are associated with CPT 33250?

What related CPT codes should be considered when billing for procedures associated with CPT 33250?

Which modifiers are commonly relevant to CPT 33250 and when are they used?

Which payers are commonly involved in coverage for CPT 33250 and does this page provide reimbursement rates?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 33250 describe and where is it usually performed?

Which diagnoses or clinical indications are associated with CPT 33250?

What related CPT codes should be considered when billing for procedures associated with CPT 33250?

Which modifiers are commonly relevant to CPT 33250 and when are they used?

Which payers are commonly involved in coverage for CPT 33250 and does this page provide reimbursement rates?

References