Billing code 33255: Atrial ablationMedicare rate & RVUs in Oklahoma
Reports extensive open surgical ablation and reconstruction of atrial tissue for rhythm treatment when cardiopulmonary bypass is not used.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 33255 in Oklahoma.
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 9 sections
What 33255 covers
This service involves surgically creating an extensive pattern of lesions in the atria to treat an arrhythmia, commonly atrial fibrillation. A cardiac surgeon performs it through an open approach without cardiopulmonary bypass; it may be done as part of treatment that also includes another cardiac operation. It is distinct from catheter ablation and from less extensive surgical lesion patterns.
Report the code when the operative report supports an extensive atrial ablation and documents that cardiopulmonary bypass was not used. The code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Do not use modifier 50 for bilateral work. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.
33255 in Oklahoma
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | Unavailable | $1,459.52 |
How the 33255 rate is calculated
Each of 33255’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 · 33255
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 28.31Practice expense 11.34Malpractice 6.77
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 33255
33255 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 33255
Atrial ablation
| 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) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 33255
Atrial ablation
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
33255 without 51 · national facility
$1,550.47
Atrial ablation
33255-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$775.24
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%).
33255 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
33255 vs 33254 vs 33256 vs 33266: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 33254Atrial ablation
- Use 33254 for a limited surgical atrial lesion pattern without bypass; 33255 is for an extensive pattern without bypass.
- 33256Atrial ablation
- Both are extensive surgical atrial ablation codes. The distinction is whether cardiopulmonary bypass is used.
- 33266Atrial ablation
- 33266 describes extensive endoscopic atrial ablation. 33255 is the open surgical approach without cardiopulmonary bypass.
33255 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 33254?
33255 represents an extensive atrial ablation pattern without cardiopulmonary bypass. Choose 33254 when the documented surgical ablation is limited rather than extensive.
How does 33255 differ from 33256?
Both describe extensive surgical atrial ablation, but 33255 is for a procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass and 33256 is for one performed with bypass.
Can this code be used for catheter ablation?
No. It describes open surgical ablation and reconstruction of atrial tissue, not a catheter-based electrophysiology procedure.
What documentation supports reporting 33255?
The operative report should describe the extensive atrial lesion pattern and establish that cardiopulmonary bypass was not used. It should also identify any other procedures performed during the same session.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. The code also carries a 90-day global period.
Which surgical modifiers are relevant?
Do not use modifier 50 for bilateral work. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available, co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.
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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