CPT code 33982 denotes replacement of the implanted pump component of a previously placed ventricular assist device (VAD) in a single ventricle, performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. This technically complex, operative procedure is an important part of advanced mechanical circulatory support management and has implications for coding accuracy, hospital surgical workflow, and resource utilization across tertiary care centers. Nationally, correct use of this code affects procedural volume reporting and payment for high-acuity cardiac surgical services.

Key payers in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for pump-exchange procedures, expected sites of service, and coding considerations tied to VAD management. The publication provides benchmarks where available, notes recent policy and reimbursement developments affecting VAD procedural coding, and explains how 33982 relates to broader surgical and quality reporting for advanced heart-failure care.

This summary is aimed at hospital billing teams, cardiac surgeons, health policy analysts, and revenue cycle stakeholders seeking a national perspective on clinical coding, documentation priorities, and payer coverage patterns for VAD pump replacement without cardiopulmonary bypass.