33720 Repair of heart defect
Also known as: simple heart defect repair, isolated defect repair, straightforward cardiac repair
Surgical repair of a simple congenital heart defect without additional complex involvement.
In Plain Language
fixing single heart birth defect
Clinical Context
Indicated for isolated, anatomically straightforward congenital lesions amenable to direct closure or simple reconstruction.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 26.58 |
| Total RVU | 26.58 |
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 26.58, this code ranks in the 90th percentile among Surgery codes — 3.3x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33720?
CPT 33720 (Repair of heart defect) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a simple congenital heart defect without additional complex involvement.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33720?
The work RVU for CPT 33720 is 26.58. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33720 used?
Indicated for isolated, anatomically straightforward congenital lesions amenable to direct closure or simple reconstruction.
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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.