Summary & Overview
CPT 33272: Removal of Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator Electrode
CPT code 33272 designates the surgical removal of a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator electrode without replacement. This procedure is relevant to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that manage patients with implanted defibrillator systems, and it carries implications for coding accuracy, facility billing, and device management nationally. Accurate use of CPT code 33272 supports proper claims processing and ensures procedural records reflect lead extraction without concurrent replacement.
Key payers commonly involved in coverage and claims adjudication include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on the clinical context of lead extraction, the typical sites of service where this procedure occurs, and the most relevant payers for national coverage considerations. The publication outlines common modifiers used with surgical procedures, highlights coding relationships and potential related services, and presents benchmarks and policy items when available. If specific payer policies or rates are not provided, the section indicates that data is not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33272 describes the removal of a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator electrode from the patient’s heart without replacement. This procedure involves extraction of the implanted defibrillator lead that was positioned subcutaneously to provide defibrillation therapy.
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Service type: Surgical lead removal/extraction procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with a previously implanted subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) presents for elective device removal due to infection at the generator pocket and recurrent pocket erosion. The patient has a history of nonischemic cardiomyopathy with prior sustained ventricular tachycardia. After preoperative evaluation including device interrogation, blood cultures, and imaging to localize pocket infection, the electrophysiology team schedules removal of the S-ICD lead and generator under monitored anesthesia care. Intraoperative workflow includes sterile prep, incision over the generator and subcutaneous tunnel, release of adhesions, extraction of the subcutaneous electrode without reimplantation, inspection for retained fragments, hemostasis, irrigation, and layered wound closure. Postoperative care includes device interrogation documentation, wound care instructions, targeted antibiotic therapy guided by cultures, and coordination for future reimplantation or alternative therapy if indicated. Typical site of service is an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room depending on patient comorbidity and infection severity.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no specific modifier applies and standard reporting of the procedure is appropriate. |