CPT code 33217: Lead insertion, two permanent-system electrodes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Michigan
Report this service for placement of two transvenous electrodes for a permanent pacemaker or implantable defibrillator when lead insertion is coded separately.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 33217 in Michigan.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 33217 covers
This procedure places two electrodes through the venous system for a permanent pacing or defibrillation system. A cardiac electrophysiologist or other qualified physician typically performs it in a hospital or electrophysiology setting. The code represents electrode insertion, not the pulse generator; it is distinct from a complete-system implantation code. The two leads may serve the system’s required sensing, pacing, or defibrillation functions, depending on the device and clinical plan.
Select the code based on the number of electrodes inserted and whether the service is lead-only work rather than implantation of a complete system. The operative report should identify the permanent device type, the number of transvenous electrodes placed, and the procedure performed. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare 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 33217 pays more and less in Michigan
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | Unavailable | $356.21 |
| Rest of Michigan | Unavailable | $326.74 |
How the 33217 rate is calculated
Each of 33217’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.
How the rate is built · 33217
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.45
5.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.15
3.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.29
1.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
9.8900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$330.33
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 33217
33217 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 33217
Lead insertion, two permanent-system electrodes
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.09/0.84/0.07 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 33217
Lead insertion, two permanent-system electrodes
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
33217 without 51 · national facility
$330.33
Lead insertion, two permanent-system electrodes
33217-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$165.17
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
33217 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 33216ICD lead insertionSingle transvenous lead
- Use 33217 for two transvenous electrodes and 33216 for one. The operative report should support the number inserted.
- 33208Pacemaker implantAtrial and ventricular leads
- 33208 represents implantation of a complete dual-chamber pacemaker system. This code is for two electrodes when lead insertion is reported separately, not a substitute for coding a complete system.
- 33249Defibrillator implantComplete transvenous system
- 33249 represents a complete transvenous implantable defibrillator system insertion or replacement. Use 33217 for two electrode insertions only when the documented service is separately coded lead work.
- 33211Temporary pacingDual-chamber transvenous leads
- 33211 concerns temporary dual-electrode transvenous pacing. This code concerns electrodes for a permanent pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
33217 billing questions
How does this differ from code 33216?
Code 33217 represents insertion of two transvenous electrodes for a permanent pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. Code 33216 is the corresponding one-electrode service.
Does this code include the pulse generator?
No. It describes insertion of two electrodes, not the generator. Code the generator service separately only when the documented procedure and applicable code descriptor support it.
Should this be reported for a complete pacemaker implantation?
When the physician implants a complete dual-chamber pacemaker system, consider the complete-system code, such as 33208, rather than separately coding lead placement as though it were a lead-only procedure.
Can modifier 50 be used for two leads?
No. Two electrodes are part of the service represented by this code; CMS indicates that bilateral adjustment is inappropriate.
What documentation supports reporting two electrodes?
The operative report should establish that two transvenous electrodes were inserted for a permanent pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. It should distinguish lead insertion from repositioning or repair of existing leads.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
Under the standard multiple-procedure rule, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the reduction when performed in the same session.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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