Summary & Overview
CPT 33995: Percutaneous Right Heart Ventricular Assist Device Insertion
CPT code 33995 denotes the percutaneous insertion of a ventricular assist device into the right heart using venous access and radiological guidance. This interventional cardiology procedure is used for temporary mechanical circulatory support of the right ventricle and has implications for acute care management in hospitals nationwide. The code is clinically significant due to its role in managing right heart failure, post-operative support, and certain high-risk interventional cardiology cases.
Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service settings, common payer coverage considerations, and the scope of procedural coding for percutaneous right heart VAD insertion. The publication also highlights typical sites of care, relevant modifiers provided in input, and areas where input data was not available.
This summary equips coding professionals, hospital administrators, and policy analysts with the essential national-level context for CPT code 33995, clarifying what the code represents, why it matters for acute cardiac care, and what topics are covered in the full publication (benchmarks, policy updates, and clinical context). Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33995 describes the percutaneous insertion of a ventricular assist device (VAD) into the right heart under radiological guidance. The procedure uses a venous approach, with the device advanced through the skin and venous system into the right-sided cardiac chambers.
-
Service type: Percutaneous ventricular assist device insertion, right heart
-
Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or hospital outpatient setting with interventional radiology or cardiac catheterization capabilities
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with acute right ventricular failure secondary to refractory cardiogenic shock following extensive inferior myocardial infarction is brought to the catheterization laboratory. The interventional cardiology team evaluates him for temporary mechanical circulatory support. Under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance, the operator obtains venous access via the right internal jugular vein and advances a percutaneous right ventricular assist device (VAD) into the right atrium and across the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle to provide right-sided circulatory support. The procedure is performed in an interventional radiology/cardiac catheterization suite or hybrid operating room with continuous hemodynamic monitoring. Post-procedure workflow includes device checks, anticoagulation management, intensive care unit transfer, serial chest radiographs and echocardiography to confirm device position and function, and documentation of indication, access site, fluoroscopy time, and any immediate complications.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default; no modifier | Use when no other modifier applies and the service is billed without special circumstances |
11 | Office or other outpatient service (placeholder per supplier) |