CPT code 33212: Pacemaker generator, existing single lead2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 33212 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 33212 covers

Code 33212 describes placing a pacemaker pulse generator for a system that already has one transvenous pacing lead. The generator is connected to that retained lead and seated in a surgically created pocket, commonly in the upper chest. Electrophysiologists and other physicians trained in cardiac device implantation perform this work in a hospital or ambulatory surgical setting. The defining distinction is generator-only insertion with one existing lead, rather than implantation of a new lead or replacement of an old generator.

Report 33212 when the operative record supports insertion of the generator and documents the single-lead configuration. Document that the existing lead was retained and connected, and identify the number of leads in the system. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care through day 90. When other procedures subject to the multiple-procedure rule occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and additional procedures at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 33212 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 33212 rate is calculated

Each of 33212’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 33212

33212 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

33212 compared with similar codes

How to choose

33213Pacemaker generatorExisting dual leads

Use 33212 for an existing single-lead system and 33213 for an existing dual-lead system. The lead configuration, not the generator itself, distinguishes these codes.

33221Pacemaker generatorExisting multiple leads

33221 is for generator insertion with an existing multiple-lead system; 33212 is limited to an existing single-lead system.

33227Pacemaker generator exchangeSingle-lead system

33227 covers removal and replacement of a generator in a single-lead system. Use 33212 for generator insertion rather than removal and replacement.

33207Pacemaker insertionVentricular-only system

33207 describes insertion of a new permanent pacemaker system with a ventricular lead. Code 33212 is generator-only insertion with an existing single lead.

Codes related to 33212

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates