CPT code 33820 identifies a surgical procedure to repair an opening between the major blood vessels leading from the heart by ligation and suture closure of the ductus or similar vascular opening. This code captures a definitive operative intervention often performed to correct congenital or acquired shunts that can compromise cardiopulmonary function. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for clinical registries, quality tracking, and facility case mix reporting for cardiac surgery services.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the common modifiers associated with surgical billing for this service. The publication also summarizes national benchmarking and payment considerations where available, highlights coding nuances relevant to operative documentation, and notes areas where input data were not provided.

The piece is intended for health system coding managers, clinical billing teams, and policy analysts who require a clear, nationally oriented reference for CPT code 33820 — its clinical meaning, billing context, and where it fits within surgical service lines and inpatient cardiac care.