CPT code 33216: ICD lead insertion, single transvenous lead2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 33216 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 33216 covers

A cardiac electrophysiologist or other qualified physician places one transvenous electrode for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, advancing it through venous access into the heart and securing it in position. The work is typically performed in a hospital electrophysiology laboratory or operating room. This code describes lead placement, such as adding a new ICD lead to an existing system; it is distinct from implanting the complete generator-and-lead system.

Report the single-lead service when documentation supports insertion of one ICD electrode, not two leads, repositioning, or repair of an existing lead. The operative report should identify the device purpose, number of leads inserted, and relevant placement work. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; co-surgeons and team surgery 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 33216 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 33216 rate is calculated

Each of 33216’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 33216

33216 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

33216 compared with similar codes

How to choose

33217Lead insertionTwo permanent-system electrodes

Choose 33216 for one transvenous ICD lead and 33217 for two. The operative record should establish the number inserted.

33249Defibrillator implantComplete transvenous system

33249 represents implantation of the complete transvenous ICD system. 33216 represents single-lead insertion, not the complete generator-and-lead implant.

33215Lead repositioningPacing-defibrillator lead

33215 is for repositioning an existing pacing-defibrillator lead; 33216 is for insertion of a new single lead.

33240Defibrillator generatorSingle existing lead

33240 covers ICD pulse-generator insertion or replacement. It does not describe insertion of a new transvenous lead.

Codes related to 33216

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