33952 ECMO cannulation Medicare reimbursement rates in Pennsylvania

Code 33952 describes percutaneous placement of peripheral cannulae to connect a patient younger than five to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or extracorporeal life support circuit. Cannulation may be needed for severe cardiac or respiratory failure when support outside the body is required. A physician experienced in ECMO access, often a surgeon, performs the procedure in a hospital setting such as an intensive care unit or operating room. Peripheral access uses vessels outside the chest; the selected vessels depend on the patient and clinical circumstances.

Select this code when the patient is younger than five and the documented approach is percutaneous peripheral cannulation. Distinguish it from the older-patient and open-placement codes. The record should support the patient’s age, access approach, cannula placement, and clinical reason for ECMO/ECLS. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.