CPT code 33979: Ventricular assist device, implantable, single ventricle2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Reports surgical placement of an implantable intracorporeal ventricular assist device configured to support one ventricle, commonly for advanced heart failure.
In Montana, Medicare pays $1,767.98 for 33979 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 33979 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 33979 covers
This code describes surgical implantation of an intracorporeal ventricular assist device to support one ventricle. Cardiothoracic surgeons typically perform the operation in a hospital operating room for patients with advanced heart failure who need mechanical circulatory support, such as as a bridge to transplant or longer-term therapy. The operative record should establish that the device is implantable and intracorporeal and identify the ventricle supported.
Select this code for the implanted, single-ventricle configuration; extracorporeal devices and percutaneous catheter-delivered support use different codes. Documentation should describe the device placement and whether support is for one ventricle or both. When multiple procedures subject to the CMS multiple procedure reduction are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are paid at 50%.
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.
How Montana compares for 33979
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 33979 runs from $1,549.97 in Wisconsin to $2,260.05 in Alaska. Montana pays $1,767.98. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$1,767.98
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,762.64−$5.34
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,912.40+$144.42
- Miami, FL · Florida$2,238.82+$470.84
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$2,168.08+$400.10
- Manhattan, NY · New York$2,063.02+$295.04
- Alaska · Alaska$2,260.05+$492.07
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $1,607.16 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $1,587.86 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $1,717.60 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $1,697.77 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $1,674.87 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,775.83 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,734.18 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,769.98 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,713.08 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,705.99 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,715.69 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,822.84 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,812.61 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,872.22 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,830.39 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,683.96 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,707.58 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,704.05 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,721.78 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,761.09 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,673.36 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,733.10 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,875.18 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $1,741.33 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $2,014.94 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,909.11 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,836.67 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $1,799.74 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,675.65 |
| IowaIowa | — | $1,566.16 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $1,590.26 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $2,054.01 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $1,916.56 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $2,016.11 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $1,595.90 |
| KansasKansas | — | $1,595.65 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $1,715.64 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $1,794.96 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $1,727.59 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,833.36 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,740.09 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,877.43 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $1,759.07 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $1,635.10 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $1,655.31 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,966.40 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $1,785.95 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $1,563.86 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $1,746.62 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $1,757.35 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $1,726.74 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $1,655.77 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $1,643.42 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $1,589.82 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $1,562.41 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,741.07 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,905.41 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,869.29 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $1,808.61 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $1,718.57 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $2,151.23 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,910.14 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $2,024.61 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $1,666.87 |
| OhioOhio | — | $1,749.54 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $1,675.09 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,738.44 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $1,678.21 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,858.75 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $1,731.81 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $1,766.78 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,767.41 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $1,704.70 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $1,568.75 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $1,606.81 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,751.01 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $1,725.03 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $1,709.92 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $1,735.85 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $1,737.30 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $1,724.86 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,889.78 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $1,726.81 |
| UtahUtah | — | $1,723.09 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $1,675.91 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $1,766.78 |
| VermontVermont | — | $1,617.45 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,725.59 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,830.52 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $1,549.97 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $1,865.99 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $1,690.33 |
33979 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 33979 rate is calculated
Each of 33979’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 · 33979
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work36.56
36.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.38
7.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice9.01
9.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
52.9500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,768.58
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,163
- Code
- 33979
- Physician work
- 36.56
- Practice expense
- 7.38
- Malpractice
- 9.01
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 36.56 | × 1.000 | 36.5600 |
| Practice expense | 7.38 | × 1.000 | 7.3800 |
| Malpractice | 9.01 | × 0.998 | 8.9920 |
| Total RVUs | 52.9320 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Montana$1767.98
Facility: (36.56 × 1 + 7.38 × 1 + 9.01 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $1767.98
Payment rules and modifiers for 33979
The CMS indicators that decide how 33979 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 33979
Ventricular assist device, implantable, single ventricle
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| 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) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
33979 without 51 · national facility
$1,768.58
Ventricular assist device, implantable, single ventricle
33979-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$884.29
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%).
How 33979 has changed in Montana
33979 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,767.98 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,767.98 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,767.98 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,767.98 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,835.17 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,835.17 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,835.17 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,835.17 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,886.14 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,886.14 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,886.14 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $1,886.14 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,855.35 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,916.28 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,916.28 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,916.28 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,916.28 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,962.41 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,962.41 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,962.41 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,962.41 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,972.98 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,972.98 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,972.98 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,972.98 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,132.32 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,132.32 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,132.32 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,132.32 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,238.59 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,238.59 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,238.59 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,238.59 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,231.74 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,231.74 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,231.74 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,231.74 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,173.71 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,173.71 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,173.71 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,173.71 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,113.20 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,113.20 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,113.20 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,113.20 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,121.18 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,121.18 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,110.63 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,110.63 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,095.54 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,095.54 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,095.54 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,095.54 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,021.13 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,021.13 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,021.13 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $2,021.13 | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
33979 billing questions
When should 33979 be selected?
Use it for surgical implantation of an intracorporeal assist device configured to support one ventricle. The operative report should support the implantable device type and single-ventricle configuration.
How does 33979 differ from 33975 or 33976?
33979 describes an implantable intracorporeal device. Codes 33975 and 33976 describe extracorporeal devices, with the latter supporting both ventricles.
How does 33979 differ from 33990 or 33991?
33979 is for surgical implantation of an intracorporeal device. Codes 33990 and 33991 describe percutaneous left-heart assist device insertion using different access configurations.
Should 33979 be used for device removal or pump replacement?
No. Code 33980 describes removal of an implantable intracorporeal device, while 33982 and 33983 describe pump replacement procedures.
How is 33979 paid when other procedures occur in the same session?
Under the CMS multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50%.
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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