33951 Ecmo/ecls insj prph cannula
Also known as: ECMO peripheral cannulation, ECLS peripheral insertion, peripheral ECMO access
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support insertion of peripheral venous and/or arterial cannula; percutaneous or open insertion of peripheral cannulae for ECMO access.
In Plain Language
Placement of life support tubing in arm or leg vein; Peripheral heart-lung machine connection
Clinical Context
Percutaneous or open insertion of peripheral (femoral or other) venous and/or arterial cannulae for ECMO support establishment in patients requiring extracorporeal circulation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.95 |
| Total RVU | 7.95 |
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 7.95, this code ranks in the 50th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33951?
CPT 33951 (Ecmo/ecls insj prph cannula) is a Surgery code. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support insertion of peripheral venous and/or arterial cannula; percutaneous or open insertion of peripheral cannulae for ECMO access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33951?
The work RVU for CPT 33951 is 7.95. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Critical Care.
When is CPT 33951 used?
Percutaneous or open insertion of peripheral (femoral or other) venous and/or arterial cannulae for ECMO support establishment in patients requiring extracorporeal circulation.
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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.