33987 Artery expos/graft artery
Also known as: artery exposure, artery graft
Arterial exposure and graft placement for a native artery. Provides surgical access and revascularization pathway for arterial reconstruction.
In Plain Language
opening up an artery to place a graft; surgical path to fix blood vessel
Clinical Context
Used when establishing access to the artery or placing a graft to restore blood flow. Common in peripheral arterial disease and revascularization procedures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.94 |
| Total RVU | 3.94 |
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. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 3.94, this code ranks in the 27th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33987?
CPT 33987 (Artery expos/graft artery) is a Surgery code. Arterial exposure and graft placement for a native artery. Provides surgical access and revascularization pathway for arterial reconstruction.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33987?
The work RVU for CPT 33987 is 3.94. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery.
When is CPT 33987 used?
Used when establishing access to the artery or placing a graft to restore blood flow. Common in peripheral arterial disease and revascularization procedures.
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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.