CPT code 61050 designates a cisternal or lateral cervical puncture to access cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for pressure measurement, fluid removal, or specimen collection without injection of agents. This procedure is clinically important for diagnosing and managing neurological conditions such as infectious, inflammatory, hemorrhagic, or pressure-related disorders of the central nervous system. Nationally, accurate coding of 61050 affects clinical documentation, care pathways, and claims processing for complex neurodiagnostic care delivered in hospitals and specialty centers.

Key payers reviewed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service settings, typical payer coverage considerations, and common billing modifiers applied to procedural services. The publication provides benchmarks and policy-relevant details where available, plus guidance on how 61050 aligns with related neurosurgical and neurodiagnostic services. Content is organized to support revenue cycle, coding, and clinical teams seeking clarity on when and how this invasive CSF access procedure is reported and documented. Data not available in the input is identified as such for transparency.