CPT code 33517 denotes a single venous coronary artery bypass graft performed as part of a combined venous and arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation. This surgical revascularization procedure uses a vein graft — often harvested from the leg — to bypass an occluded or damaged coronary artery, restoring myocardial blood flow and alleviating symptoms such as angina. Nationally, CABG procedures remain a core component of surgical cardiac care for multivessel coronary disease and acute ischemia management, making accurate coding essential for clinical documentation, quality measurement, and payer reimbursement.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and an overview of common modifiers used with cardiac surgical codes. The publication outlines coding nuances relevant to combined venous and arterial grafting and highlights what stakeholders need to know about documentation and billing classification for this specific CABG variant. Where input data is missing, the report notes that information is not available. The content is aimed at clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear national summary of CPT code 33517 and its role in cardiac surgical services.