33273 S-ICD electrode Medicare reimbursement rates in Pennsylvania

This procedure revises the position of an electrode already implanted beneath the skin as part of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) system. It is typically performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist or cardiac surgeon in a hospital operating room or electrophysiology setting. The electrode remains subcutaneous; this is not repositioning of a transvenous lead inside the heart or blood vessels. A common clinical reason is electrode migration or a position that requires correction.

Report 33273 when the operative service moves the existing S-ICD electrode to a revised position. Documentation should identify the implanted electrode, describe why repositioning was needed, and record the work performed and resulting position. The code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.