Summary & Overview
CPT 33410: Aortic Valve Replacement with Stentless Tissue Valve
CPT code 33410 is a critical billing code for the surgical replacement of the aortic valve with a stentless tissue valve, performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. This advanced cardiothoracic procedure is most often carried out in inpatient hospital settings and is essential for patients with severe aortic valve disease. The code is recognized by major national payers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare, ensuring broad coverage and reimbursement across the United States.
This publication provides a comprehensive overview of 33410, including payer coverage, clinical context, and related coding benchmarks. Readers will gain insight into the procedural specifics, typical sites of service, and how this code fits within the broader landscape of cardiac surgery billing. Policy updates, clinical indications, and comparisons to related CPT codes are also discussed, offering a clear understanding of the code’s role in hospital reimbursement and patient care. The analysis is designed for healthcare professionals, administrators, and policy stakeholders seeking up-to-date information on aortic valve replacement coding and coverage.
CPT Code Overview
CPT code 33410 describes the replacement of the aortic valve using a stentless tissue valve, performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. This procedure is a form of cardiothoracic surgery and is typically conducted in an inpatient hospital setting (Place of Service 21). The use of a stentless tissue valve is significant for patients requiring aortic valve replacement, offering potential benefits in terms of valve function and durability. This code is central to hospital billing and clinical documentation for advanced cardiac surgical interventions.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an adult patient admitted to an inpatient hospital setting with severe aortic valve disease, such as aortic stenosis or insufficiency, requiring surgical intervention. The patient is evaluated by a cardiothoracic surgeon and determined to be a candidate for aortic valve replacement. During the procedure, the surgeon performs replacement of the aortic valve using a stentless tissue valve, with the support of cardiopulmonary bypass. The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment, intraoperative management with bypass, and postoperative care in a cardiac unit. This procedure is most often performed by specialists in thoracic surgery, cardiovascular disease, or general surgery.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
22: Increased Procedural Services. Used when the procedure requires significant additional work beyond the typical service, such as complex anatomy or unexpected complications. -
Modifier
63: Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg. Applied when the patient is an infant weighing less than 4 kilograms, indicating increased complexity and risk.
| Provider Taxonomy Code | Specialty Name |
|---|---|
208G00000X |