Summary & Overview
CPT 33289: Permanent Wireless Pulmonary Artery Pressure Sensor Implantation
CPT code 33289 covers the permanent implantation of a wireless sensor in the pulmonary artery during catheterization, including calibration and, when performed, right heart catheterization and pulmonary arteriography with radiological supervision and interpretation. This intervention enables continuous or intermittent hemodynamic monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures and has implications for chronic management of conditions such as heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Nationally, the code matters because it captures an advanced implantable diagnostic service that intersects cardiology, interventional cardiology, and remote monitoring programs.
Key payers included in this overview are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of what the code represents clinically, an outline of typical service settings, and the payer landscape covered. The publication provides benchmarks and comparative coverage context, summaries of relevant policy and reimbursement considerations, and clinical context for when the service is typically used. Data elements not provided in the input—such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and related procedure codes—are noted as unavailable in the input. The content is intended for national audiences including clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear summary of CPT code 33289 and its role in monitoring pulmonary artery pressures.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33289 describes the permanent implantation of a wireless sensor into the pulmonary artery (PA) during catheterization for ongoing monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures, including calibration of the sensor. The procedure as described includes both right heart and pulmonary artery catheterization and pulmonary arteriography with radiological supervision and interpretation (RS&I) when those services are performed.
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Service type: Implantation of a permanent wireless pulmonary artery pressure sensor during catheterization with calibration
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Typical site of service: Hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory or outpatient/ambulatory catheterization suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure (NYHA class III) and recurrent hospitalizations for volume overload is referred for implantation of a wireless pulmonary artery pressure sensor during right heart catheterization. The interventional cardiology team performs right heart catheterization with pulmonary artery catheter placement under fluoroscopic guidance, permanently implants the wireless PA sensor into a branch of the pulmonary artery, calibrates the device, and obtains radiological supervision and interpretation (RS&I) images when indicated. Typical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation (anticoagulation review, informed consent, baseline hemodynamics), sterile catheterization in a cardiac catheterization lab or hybrid operating room, device deployment and calibration, post-implant fluoroscopic and hemodynamic confirmation, and short inpatient or same-day observation for access site monitoring and device function verification. Typical site of service is an outpatient or inpatient cardiac catheterization laboratory or hybrid operating room.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard reporting | Use when no special circumstance modifier applies. |
| 11 | Office or other outpatient service as the usual and customary service | Use when the service represents the provider's usual, uncomplicated service setting (if accepted by payer). |