CPT code 33955 defines open insertion of a central cannula via sternotomy or thoracotomy for extracorporeal circulation in children from birth through five years. This pediatric cardiothoracic surgical code is critical for billing and clinical documentation when establishing cardiopulmonary bypass in very young patients. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects hospital and surgeon reporting, claims adjudication, and aggregate pediatric cardiac procedural volumes.

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 settings where the service occurs, and the common modifiers associated with surgical coding. The publication summarizes benchmarks and coding practice considerations relevant to hospitals and surgical teams, highlights documentation elements tied to pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass, and outlines areas where policy updates or payer edits commonly affect payment. Data not available in the input for specific payer fee schedules, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 diagnosis pairings are omitted.