Headline: CPT code 61210: Surgical cranial access for ventricular drainage and intracranial monitoring

Lead: CPT code 61210 identifies the neurosurgical procedure in which a surgeon drills one or more holes in the skull to place ventricular drainage catheters, fluid reservoirs, EEG electrodes, or intracranial pressure and monitoring devices. This code captures the creation of access necessary for cerebrospinal fluid drainage and physiologic monitoring of the brain.

CPT code 61210 is nationally significant because it documents a critical access procedure for patients requiring cerebrospinal fluid diversion or invasive intracranial monitoring, often performed in acute, high-acuity settings. Accurate coding of this service affects clinical records, operative reporting, and payment for complex neurosurgical care.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides an overview of coding intent, common clinical contexts, and payer coverage considerations for these major national plans.

Readers will learn the clinical purpose of the code, typical sites of service, and the scope of devices and access created under the code. The report also outlines where to find policy guidance and what aspects of documentation are typically relevant for payer review. Data not available in the input for specific coverage policies, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairings is noted where applicable.