ICD-10-PCS Code For Skull: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group 0N20 includes procedures performed to change devices in the skull. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when an existing device in the skull is removed and a similar or identical device is placed without cutting or puncturing the skin or a mucous membrane. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS 0N20 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Skull Change Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes inpatient codes for changing an implanted or external device in the skull without cutting or puncturing the skin or a mucous membrane. These procedures target the head and facial bones body system, specifically the skull, and involve removing a device and replacing it with an identical or similar device. Accurate coding ensures the procedure performed is captured correctly for inpatient reimbursement and supports appropriate case mix assignment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
N	Body System	Head and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Change
0	Body Part	Skull

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Skull: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Skull Change Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
N	Body System	Head and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Change
0	Body Part	Skull

When to Use

Use a code from this group when an implanted or external skull device is taken out and a like device is put back in or on the same skull location without cutting or puncturing the skin or a mucous membrane. Do not use these codes for procedures that involve opening the skin, creating a new wound, or altering the device type beyond replacing it with an identical or similar device.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0N20X0Z	Change Drainage Device in Skull, External Approach
0N20XYZ	Change Other Device in Skull, External Approach

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An older adult with a previously placed subgaleal drainage catheter for chronic subdural hygroma presents for elective inpatient replacement because the external drainage tubing has become occluded and cannot be cleared noninvasively; the surgical team removes the existing external drainage device and places an identical external drain at the same skull site without creating a new incision. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z
A pediatric patient with an external cranial monitoring drain placed after traumatic brain injury develops device malfunction and recurrent CSF leakage; the child is admitted for change of the external cranial device to restore closed drainage while avoiding new surgical exposure, with removal and replacement of a like external device at the same skull location. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z
An inpatient with a prior temporary external skull fixation/anchored drainage system develops device-related skin irritation and requires removal and replacement of the external component at the same skull site as a revision procedure without cutting or puncturing the skin or mucous membranes. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z, 0N20XYZ

Related Codes

0N2B-NASAL-BONE-CHANGE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Nasal Bone: Procedure Code Group Overview

0N2W-FACIAL-BONE-TAKING-OUT-PUTTING-BACK-DEVICE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Facial Bone: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0N20X0Z	Change Drainage Device in Skull, External Approach
0N20XYZ	Change Other Device in Skull, External Approach

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An older adult with a previously placed subgaleal drainage catheter for chronic subdural hygroma presents for elective inpatient replacement because the external drainage tubing has become occluded and cannot be cleared noninvasively; the surgical team removes the existing external drainage device and places an identical external drain at the same skull site without creating a new incision. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z
A pediatric patient with an external cranial monitoring drain placed after traumatic brain injury develops device malfunction and recurrent CSF leakage; the child is admitted for change of the external cranial device to restore closed drainage while avoiding new surgical exposure, with removal and replacement of a like external device at the same skull location. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z
An inpatient with a prior temporary external skull fixation/anchored drainage system develops device-related skin irritation and requires removal and replacement of the external component at the same skull site as a revision procedure without cutting or puncturing the skin or mucous membranes. Typical codes: 0N20X0Z, 0N20XYZ

Related Codes

0N2B-NASAL-BONE-CHANGE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Nasal Bone: Procedure Code Group Overview

0N2W-FACIAL-BONE-TAKING-OUT-PUTTING-BACK-DEVICE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Facial Bone: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Skull: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Skull Change Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Skull: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Skull: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Skull Change Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group 0N20?

What body system and operation does 0N20 represent?

How should individual ICD-10-PCS codes in this group be documented?

Why is accurate coding within 0N20 important for inpatient settings?

What specific codes are included in the 0N20 group and their approaches?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group 0N20?

What body system and operation does 0N20 represent?

How should individual ICD-10-PCS codes in this group be documented?

Why is accurate coding within 0N20 important for inpatient settings?

What specific codes are included in the 0N20 group and their approaches?

References