33017 Prcrd drainage 6yr+ without cgen car
Also known as: pericardial drain placement, pericardial catheter, percutaneous pericardial drainage
Percutaneous pericardial drainage in patients 6 years of age or older without congenital heart disease. Needle or catheter placement in pericardial space.
In Plain Language
tube placed around heart to drain fluid
Clinical Context
Used to treat pericardial effusion and tamponade in children and adults without congenital cardiac lesions. Allows continuous drainage and monitoring.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 4.50 |
| Total RVU | 4.50 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 4.50, this code ranks in the 31st percentile among Surgery codes — 1.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33017?
CPT 33017 (Prcrd drainage 6yr+ without cgen car) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous pericardial drainage in patients 6 years of age or older without congenital heart disease. Needle or catheter placement in pericardial space.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33017?
The work RVU for CPT 33017 is 4.50. This code is primarily used by Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology.
When is CPT 33017 used?
Used to treat pericardial effusion and tamponade in children and adults without congenital cardiac lesions. Allows continuous drainage and monitoring.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.