Summary & Overview
CPT 61215: Implantable Infusion Device Insertion for CSF or Chemotherapy
CPT code 61215 covers the surgical insertion of an implantable reservoir, pump, or continuous infusion system placed subcutaneously with a tunneled catheter to deliver medications directly into the cerebrospinal fluid or for regional chemotherapy. This procedure enables targeted delivery of analgesics or cytotoxic agents, which can improve symptom control and therapeutic concentration at the site of action while minimizing systemic exposure. Nationally, the code is relevant to neurosurgery and oncology practice patterns and affects facility and professional billing across hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgical centers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, common sites of service, and the types of services represented by the code. The publication outlines typical billing considerations, commonly reported modifiers (list provided separately), and the policy and reimbursement elements that most affect coverage and payment. The content is intended to help coding, billing, and provider teams understand where CPT code 61215 fits into surgical service lines and payer negotiations. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 61215 describes the surgical insertion of an implantable reservoir, pump, or continuous infusion system placed subcutaneously to deliver medications through a tunneled catheter. The device may be used to administer therapeutics directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or for chemotherapy administration.
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Service type: Implantable infusion device insertion for targeted medication delivery
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Typical site of service: Operating room or procedural suite in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center, with device placement under the skin and catheter tunneling to the intended infusion site
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with metastatic leptomeningeal carcinoma and intractable cancer-related pain is evaluated by neurosurgery and medical oncology for long-term intrathecal therapy. The care team determines that an implantable intrathecal infusion system is appropriate to deliver chemotherapeutic agents or concentrated analgesics directly into the cerebrospinal fluid. On the day of service, the patient presents to an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room after preoperative evaluation, informed consent, and anesthesia assessment. The neurosurgeon creates a subcutaneous pocket for the pump reservoir, tunnels a catheter to the intrathecal space, and connects the catheter to the implanted pump reservoir system. Postoperative steps include programming the pump, securing dressings, postoperative recovery monitoring, and instruction for pump refills and device troubleshooting. Typical sites of service include an inpatient hospital operating room for complex cases or an ambulatory surgical center for routine placements, with follow-up in outpatient neurosurgery or oncology clinics for refill and dose management.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Principal physician performing service | When this provider is the primary surgeon responsible for the procedure |
22 |