Summary & Overview
CPT 33881: Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aorta, No Left Subclavian Coverage
CPT code 33881 denotes an endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta using an endograft or stent graft, deployed without covering the origin of the left subclavian artery. Nationally, this code identifies a high-acuity vascular intervention that combines image-guided endovascular technique with device selection and intraoperative imaging interpretation. It is used across hospital and hybrid operating environments for thoracic aortic pathology requiring stent graft repair, and it carries implications for facility remuneration and device-related payment considerations.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical intent and coding scope for CPT code 33881, plus national benchmarking context and common billing considerations related to imaging, device use, and site-of-service impacts. The publication summarizes where this code fits within endovascular aortic care pathways, highlights typical resource use and procedure components captured by the code, and outlines topics for payers and provider billing teams to monitor, including coding specificity and documentation elements tied to preprocedure sizing and intraoperative imaging.
Data not available in the input: Associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and detailed payer-specific reimbursement rates.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33881 describes an endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta using a stent graft delivered and deployed without covering the origin of the left subclavian artery. The procedure includes preprocedure sizing and device selection, nonselective catheterization, and all imaging guidance and interpretation necessary to complete the repair. The service involves repairing part of the thoracic aorta and may include extension of the graft distally toward the celiac artery as needed.
Service type: Endovascular aortic repair (thoracic)
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or hybrid endovascular suite, as the procedure requires fluoroscopic imaging and device deployment capabilities.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension and peripheral artery disease presents with an enlarging thoracic aortic aneurysm involving the descending thoracic aorta, confirmed by CTA demonstrating a fusiform aneurysm distal to the left subclavian artery origin. The vascular surgery and interventional cardiology teams plan an endovascular thoracic aortic repair using a stent graft delivered and deployed without covering the origin of the left subclavian artery. Preprocedure workflow includes multidisciplinary evaluation, informed consent, device sizing and selection from preoperative CTA measurements, and anesthesia planning (general or monitored anesthesia care). In the hybrid operating room or interventional suite, vascular access is obtained (commonly femoral), nonselective aortic catheterization and angiography are performed, the endograft is advanced and deployed under fluoroscopic guidance, and completion angiography confirms graft position and exclusion of the aneurysm. Postprocedure care includes vascular access site monitoring, imaging surveillance, blood pressure control, and discharge planning with scheduled CTA surveillance.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard reporting | Use when no specific modifier applies to the service. |
11 |