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CPT 33966: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Child ≥6 Years

Headline: CPT code 33966: Pediatric Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation

Lead: CPT code 33966 denotes the percutaneous or incision-based removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in children aged six years and older. The code captures a distinct pediatric surgical service tied to management of extracorporeal support devices and is relevant to hospitals, surgical teams, and payers overseeing pediatric cardiac and extracorporeal care.

CPT code 33966 represents a targeted surgical procedure used to extract peripheral cannulae placed for extracorporeal circulation in pediatric patients. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure matters for procedural tracking, resource planning in pediatric cardiac programs, and claims processing for hospital-based surgical services. The analysis covers major national payers: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will learn the clinical scope and billing context for CPT code 33966, typical sites where the service is delivered, common modifier usage patterns (listed separately), and gaps where input data is not provided. The summary provides benchmarks and policy-relevant points where available; if certain data elements are not provided in the source input, the report states "Data not available in the input." This publication is intended to clarify coding intent, service context, and payer coverage considerations for stakeholders processing or reviewing claims for pediatric extracorporeal cannula removal.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 33966 describes the percutaneous or open removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in a child six years and older. This procedure involves extracting a vascular cannula inserted for extracorporeal support, performed either through the skin percutaneously or via a small incision.

Service type: Surgical removal of extracorporeal circulation peripheral cannula in a pediatric patient (age ≥ 6 years)
Typical site of service: Operating room, procedure suite, or other hospital-based surgical setting where extracorporeal circulation devices are managed

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CPT 33966: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Child ≥6 Years

Headline: CPT code 33966: Pediatric Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical removal of extracorporeal circulation peripheral cannula in a pediatric patient (age ≥ 6 years)
Typical site of service: Operating room, procedure suite, or other hospital-based surgical setting where extracorporeal circulation devices are managed

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is a child aged six years or older who previously required extracorporeal circulation (ECMO or cardiopulmonary bypass) and now needs removal of a peripheral cannula placed percutaneously or via a small skin incision. Common scenarios include recovery after pediatric cardiac surgery, resolution of respiratory failure managed with ECMO, or removal after temporary circulatory support following trauma or sepsis. The clinical workflow begins with pre-procedure assessment (vital signs, anticoagulation status, coagulation studies), informed consent from the parent/guardian, and preparation in an operating room, interventional suite, or procedure room depending on patient stability. The child is positioned and monitored, local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used per team decision, and the cannula is removed percutaneously or through a small incision with direct compression, vessel repair if needed, and sterile dressing application. Post-procedure care includes hemostasis monitoring, limb perfusion checks, documentation of cannula removal details (site, size, complications), and discharge instructions to the inpatient unit or ICU. Billing reflects a single procedure to remove a peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation in a child six years and older using 33966.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier (default)	Use when no special circumstances apply.
`11`	Decision for surgery (default)	Use to indicate the default reporting for an elective, uncomplicated procedure.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typically required.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is medically necessary for an otherwise minor procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another service at a distinct anatomic site or session is performed and must be separately identified.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Not typically applicable to `33966` (patient must be ≥6 years) but included if coding systems require exclusion; generally not used for this code.
`66`	Surgical team approach	Use when a team approach is used for complex cases with documented team participation.
`78`	Return to the operating room for a related procedure during the global period	Use when the patient returns to OR for a related procedure within the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is documented.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist service	Use to indicate services furnished by these practitioners when allowed by payer policy.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2080P0800X`	Pediatric Surgery	Common specialty performing cannula removal after pediatric cardiac or ECMO care.
`207RC0000X`	Cardiovascular Surgery	Surgeons removing cannulas after cardiopulmonary bypass or ECMO.
`207L00000X`	Pediatric Cardiology	May perform removal in catheterization lab or coordinate care for ECMO decannulation.
`363LF0000X`	Critical Care Medicine	Intensivists who manage ECMO decannulation in the ICU setting.
`208D00000X`	Thoracic Surgery	May be involved for thoracic cannulation sites or complex removals.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`33966`	Removal of peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation, percutaneous or through skin incision; child 6 years or older	Primary procedure described; documents removal of a peripheral ECMO/cardiopulmonary bypass cannula in the specified age group.
`33967`	Removal of peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation, percutaneous or through skin incision; infant, less than 6 years of age	Pediatric age-based counterpart for infants under 6 years; used when patient age falls below the `33966` threshold.
`36593`	Replacement, subcutaneous port or catheter, with subcutaneous tunneling and external catheter removal/placement (tunneled central venous catheter)	May be performed before or after cannula removal when central venous access is established or exchanged.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Commonly performed for coagulation studies (PT/INR, aPTT) prior to cannula removal to confirm hemostatic status.
`99460`	Initial hospital care, per day, for evaluation and management of normal newborn infant; 1st day of life	Example inpatient E/M codes are used for perioperative management; select appropriate pediatric inpatient E/M code for pre/post-procedure care.
`99291`	Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes	Used when critical care services are provided in the ICU surrounding decannulation events.

CPT 33964: Reposition Central Cannula for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric

CPT-33965-PEDIATRIC-EXTRACORPOREAL-CANNULA-REMOVAL

CPT 33965: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric

CPT-33967-PERCUTANEOUS-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 33967: Percutaneous Insertion of Intra–Aortic Balloon Catheter

CPT-33968-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-PERCUTANEOUS

CPT 33968: Percutaneous Intra-Aortic Balloon Removal

CPT-33969-PEDIATRIC-OPEN-PERIPHERAL-CANNULA-REMOVAL-EXTRACORPOREAL

CPT 33969: Open Removal of Peripheral Extracorporeal Cannula, Pediatric

CPT-33970-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-INSERTION-FEMORAL-ARTERY

CPT 33970: Intra–Aortic Balloon Insertion via Femoral Artery

CPT-33971-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-FEMORAL-ARTERY-REPAIR

CPT 33971: Intra–Aortic Balloon Removal with Femoral Artery Repair

CPT-33973-ASCENDING-AORTIC-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-INSERTION

CPT 33973: Ascending Aortic Insertion of Intra–Aortic Balloon

CPT-33974-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-ASCENDING-AORTIC-REPAIR

CPT 33974: Removal of Intra–Aortic Balloon with Ascending Aortic Repair

CPT-33975-VENTRICULAR-ASSIST-DEVICE-IMPLANTATION-SINGLE-VENTRICLE

CPT 33975: Ventricular Assist Device Implantation, Single Ventricle

Showing 1–10 of 28

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier (default)	Use when no special circumstances apply.
`11`	Decision for surgery (default)	Use to indicate the default reporting for an elective, uncomplicated procedure.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typically required.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is medically necessary for an otherwise minor procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another service at a distinct anatomic site or session is performed and must be separately identified.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Not typically applicable to `33966` (patient must be ≥6 years) but included if coding systems require exclusion; generally not used for this code.
`66`	Surgical team approach	Use when a team approach is used for complex cases with documented team participation.
`78`	Return to the operating room for a related procedure during the global period	Use when the patient returns to OR for a related procedure within the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is documented.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist service	Use to indicate services furnished by these practitioners when allowed by payer policy.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2080P0800X`	Pediatric Surgery	Common specialty performing cannula removal after pediatric cardiac or ECMO care.
`207RC0000X`	Cardiovascular Surgery	Surgeons removing cannulas after cardiopulmonary bypass or ECMO.
`207L00000X`	Pediatric Cardiology	May perform removal in catheterization lab or coordinate care for ECMO decannulation.
`363LF0000X`	Critical Care Medicine	Intensivists who manage ECMO decannulation in the ICU setting.
`208D00000X`	Thoracic Surgery	May be involved for thoracic cannulation sites or complex removals.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`33966`	Removal of peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation, percutaneous or through skin incision; child 6 years or older	Primary procedure described; documents removal of a peripheral ECMO/cardiopulmonary bypass cannula in the specified age group.
`33967`	Removal of peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation, percutaneous or through skin incision; infant, less than 6 years of age	Pediatric age-based counterpart for infants under 6 years; used when patient age falls below the `33966` threshold.
`36593`	Replacement, subcutaneous port or catheter, with subcutaneous tunneling and external catheter removal/placement (tunneled central venous catheter)	May be performed before or after cannula removal when central venous access is established or exchanged.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Commonly performed for coagulation studies (PT/INR, aPTT) prior to cannula removal to confirm hemostatic status.
`99460`	Initial hospital care, per day, for evaluation and management of normal newborn infant; 1st day of life	Example inpatient E/M codes are used for perioperative management; select appropriate pediatric inpatient E/M code for pre/post-procedure care.
`99291`	Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes	Used when critical care services are provided in the ICU surrounding decannulation events.

CPT 33964: Reposition Central Cannula for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric

CPT-33965-PEDIATRIC-EXTRACORPOREAL-CANNULA-REMOVAL

CPT 33965: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric

CPT-33967-PERCUTANEOUS-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 33967: Percutaneous Insertion of Intra–Aortic Balloon Catheter

CPT-33968-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-PERCUTANEOUS

CPT 33968: Percutaneous Intra-Aortic Balloon Removal

CPT-33969-PEDIATRIC-OPEN-PERIPHERAL-CANNULA-REMOVAL-EXTRACORPOREAL

CPT 33969: Open Removal of Peripheral Extracorporeal Cannula, Pediatric

CPT-33970-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-INSERTION-FEMORAL-ARTERY

CPT 33970: Intra–Aortic Balloon Insertion via Femoral Artery

CPT-33971-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-FEMORAL-ARTERY-REPAIR

CPT 33971: Intra–Aortic Balloon Removal with Femoral Artery Repair

CPT-33973-ASCENDING-AORTIC-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-INSERTION

CPT 33973: Ascending Aortic Insertion of Intra–Aortic Balloon

CPT-33974-INTRA-AORTIC-BALLOON-REMOVAL-ASCENDING-AORTIC-REPAIR

CPT 33974: Removal of Intra–Aortic Balloon with Ascending Aortic Repair

CPT-33975-VENTRICULAR-ASSIST-DEVICE-IMPLANTATION-SINGLE-VENTRICLE

CPT 33975: Ventricular Assist Device Implantation, Single Ventricle

Showing 1–10 of 28

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 33966: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Child ≥6 Years

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 33966: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Child ≥6 Years

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References