Headline: CPT code 33979 — Implantable Ventricular Assist Device Insertion for Single Ventricle

Lead: CPT code 33979 identifies the surgical implantation of an implantable ventricular assist device (VAD) for patients with heart failure or severely reduced ventricular function when a single ventricle is being supported. The code captures a high-acuity cardiovascular procedure with implications for hospital resource use, device management, and post-operative care.

CPT code 33979 represents a major cardiac surgical service used in advanced heart failure management. Nationally, this procedure is significant because of its impact on inpatient surgical capacity, specialized cardiac surgery workforce requirements, and durable medical device utilization. Payors commonly covering services of this type include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will learn clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the types of benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to high-cost, high-complexity cardiac device implantation. The publication offers an overview of coverage considerations and common billing practices, expected service lines, and areas where policy updates and payer rules can affect authorization, payment, and post-implant care coordination. Data not available in the input for specific payer rates, ICD-10 pairings, and associated taxonomies.