CPT code 61316 is an add-on surgical code for temporary subcutaneous storage of a cranial bone graft when immediate cranioplasty is not advisable, most often due to cerebral edema that could raise intracranial pressure. The procedure involves creating a skin incision and a subcutaneous pocket—frequently in the abdomen—to house a split-thickness or full-thickness bone flap, or fragmented bone material, for later retrieval and reimplantation. Nationally, this code matters because it captures an important staged neurosurgical workflow that affects inpatient surgical coding, resource use, and follow-up reconstructive procedures.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find guidance on the clinical context in which CPT code 61316 is used, common settings of care, and what to expect in terms of coding classification and service line placement. The publication summarizes benchmarks where available, highlights relevant policy and coverage considerations affecting reimbursement and utilization, and places the procedure in broader care pathways for patients requiring delayed cranioplasty. Data not included in the input—such as specific payer rate tables, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 diagnosis mappings—is noted as unavailable.