Summary & Overview
CPT 33965: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric
CPT code 33965 represents percutaneous or incision-based removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in children from birth through five years. This pediatric surgical code captures a discrete device-removal procedure tied to extracorporeal support and matters nationally because it informs clinical documentation, coding consistency, and payment for a time-sensitive, specialized pediatric intervention. Key payers considered in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for 33965, documentation elements that support correct code assignment, and typical sites of service where the procedure occurs. The publication provides national benchmarking detail where available, notes on common billing modifiers, and discussion of payer coverage patterns and policy considerations relevant to pediatric extracorporeal device removal. The content is intended to help coding professionals, hospital billing teams, and clinical leadership understand how this code is used, what documentation supports it, and how major payers approach reimbursement and claims processing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33965 describes removal of a peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation, performed percutaneously or through a skin incision, in a child from birth through five years of age. This procedure involves extraction of a cannula used for extracorporeal support in a pediatric patient within the specified age range.
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Service type: Surgical procedure involving device removal for extracorporeal circulation in pediatric patients.
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Typical site of service: Operating room, procedural suite, or other acute care setting where pediatric surgical procedures are performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an infant or toddler (birth through five years) who previously required extracorporeal circulation support and now needs removal of a peripheral cannula. The child arrives to the pediatric operating room or pediatric interventional suite after stabilization in the neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit. Pre-procedure preparation includes confirmation of the indication for cannula removal, review of anticoagulation status, assessment of insertion site for infection or bleeding, and appropriate monitoring equipment for pediatric vitals. The procedure is performed percutaneously or via a small skin incision under appropriate anesthesia or sedation for age and clinical condition. Hemostasis is achieved by direct pressure or suturing; vascular integrity and distal perfusion are assessed before discharge to the unit. Documentation includes cannula size and site, technique (percutaneous or open), anesthesia type, any complications, and estimated blood loss.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default or no modifier | Use when no other modifier applies and standard reporting is required |
11 | Professional component |