33315 Exploratory heart surgery
Also known as: cardiac exploration with bypass, exploratory cardiac surgery on pump
Exploratory or diagnostic heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, allowing detailed examination of heart and coronary vessels under controlled conditions.
In Plain Language
opening heart with heart-lung machine support for detailed examination
Clinical Context
Used for complex diagnostic situations or when bypass is needed for safe visualization.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 34.13 |
| Total RVU | 34.13 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 34.13, this code ranks in the 95th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.3x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33315?
CPT 33315 (Exploratory heart surgery) is a Surgery code. Exploratory or diagnostic heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, allowing detailed examination of heart and coronary vessels under controlled conditions.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33315?
The work RVU for CPT 33315 is 34.13. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33315 used?
Used for complex diagnostic situations or when bypass is needed for safe visualization.
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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.