CPT code 33971 covers surgical removal of a previously placed intra–aortic balloon from the aorta with concurrent repair of the femoral artery, potentially using a graft. This code is used when a patient has stabilized after intra–aortic balloon support and the device is explanted; placement of the intra–aortic balloon is reported separately. Nationally, this procedure is relevant for acute cardiac care pathways, postoperative vascular management, and hospital billing for advanced mechanical circulatory support.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of clinical context and typical sites of service, along with coverage and coding considerations relevant to hospital and cardiac surgery billing workflows. The publication outlines standard use cases for the code, common modifiers reported with surgical procedures, and the relationship between device placement and removal as separately billable events.

The analysis provides operational benchmarks and policy context useful for revenue cycle, clinical coding, and surgical teams, and flags areas where local payer policies or documentation requirements commonly affect claims for device explantation and femoral artery repair. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.