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CPT 61850: Intracranial Electrode Placement via Burr Holes

CPT code 61850 represents intracranial electrode placement via creation of one or more cranial burr holes with placement of electrodes on the cortical surface. This invasive neurosurgical procedure is used for cortical mapping and invasive EEG monitoring, often in evaluation and management of refractory epilepsy or pre-surgical functional mapping. Nationally, accurate coding for this procedure affects hospital billing, resource allocation in neurosurgical programs, and consistency in tracking utilization of invasive monitoring techniques.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The review addresses payer coverage patterns and coding benchmarks relevant to hospitals and neurosurgery practices.

Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for cortical electrode placement, expected sites of service, and the typical service classification. The publication summarizes common billing modifiers and related clinical considerations, highlights benchmarks where available, and notes areas where input data are limited. The goal is to provide billing managers, clinical coders, and hospital administrators with a clear, national-level portrait of CPT code 61850 for operational and compliance planning.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 61850 describes a neurosurgical procedure in which the surgeon creates one or more cranial burr holes to remove a portion of the skull and places electrodes directly on the cerebral cortex. This procedure is performed for intracranial electrode placement, typically as part of invasive monitoring or mapping of cortical activity.

Service type: Invasive neurosurgical intracranial electrode placement
Typical site of service: Operating room or specialized surgical suite in an acute care hospital or tertiary referral center

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CPT 61850: Intracranial Electrode Placement via Burr Holes

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Invasive neurosurgical intracranial electrode placement
Typical site of service: Operating room or specialized surgical suite in an acute care hospital or tertiary referral center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is a 28–55-year-old individual with medically refractory focal epilepsy who is scheduled for an intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring procedure. The patient is admitted to a tertiary care hospital or academic medical center. After preoperative assessment, general anesthesia is induced in the operating room or an inpatient surgical suite. The neurosurgeon performs one or more burr holes or craniotomies to expose cortical surfaces and places subdural grid, strip, or depth electrodes directly on or within the cerebral cortex to localize seizure onset zones. Intraoperative neuronavigation and electrophysiology teams verify electrode placement. Postoperatively the patient is transferred to a monitored inpatient bed or an epilepsy monitoring unit for continuous video-EEG recording over several days to capture habitual seizures. Imaging (CT or MRI) is performed post-placement to confirm electrode position and to evaluate for hemorrhage. The clinical workflow includes preoperative localization studies (scalp EEG, MRI, PET, SPECT), intraoperative placement of electrodes (CPT 61850), postoperative imaging and monitoring, and subsequent review of intracranial EEG data to plan definitive treatment such as resection, ablation, or neurostimulation.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Standard (usual) service	Use when the procedure is performed as the physician's typical service without unusual circumstances
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than usually required (extensive dissection, prolonged operative time)
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when procedure is performed with general anesthesia because local/regional anesthesia is contraindicated
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician's interpretation or professional component of a separately identifiable service (e.g., intraoperative EEG interpretation separate from facility)
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when identical procedures are performed on both cerebral hemispheres and payer requires bilateral modifier
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when multiple distinct procedures are billed during the same operative session and payer applies reduced payment to secondary procedures
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexpected instability)
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties share responsibility for the procedure (e.g., neurosurgeon and functional neurosurgeon)
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team performs the procedure (complex cases requiring multiple attending surgeons)
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during global period	Use when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative global period (e.g., hematoma evacuation)
`80`	Assistant surgeon present	Use when a surgical assistant (assistant-at-surgery) is documented and payer requires modifier for assistant services
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistant surgeon is present and documented
`82`	Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident not available)	Use when an assistant surgeon is needed and a qualified resident is not available
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure performed on the same date is distinct and separate from `CPT 61850` (e.g., unrelated cranial procedure)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Neurological Surgery	Primary specialty performing intracranial electrode placement
2080P0002X	Neurology	Epileptologists involved in pre- and postoperative EEG interpretation and monitoring
174400000X	Clinical Neurophysiology	Specialists who perform intraoperative and long-term intracranial EEG interpretation
363L00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists perform postoperative imaging confirmation and interventional imaging support
207K00000X	Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery	Occasionally involved for complex cranial reconstruction after electrode removal or craniotomy closure

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`61860`	Insertion of cranial electrode(s), depth (e.g., stereotactic), each	Performed when depth electrodes are placed stereotactically; may be billed in addition to or instead of cortical grid placement depending on technique
`95957`	Insertion and placement of invasive monitoring electrode(s), with telemetry (long-term intracranial monitoring)	Used for long-term invasive monitoring and telemetry services associated with intracranial electrodes placed during `CPT 61850`
`71045`	Chest radiograph, single view, portable	Common postoperative imaging for lines/airway or baseline studies in the perioperative period; often performed during the same admission
`70450`	CT head without contrast	Frequently performed immediately postoperatively to confirm electrode position and evaluate for hemorrhage
`70553`	MRI brain without and with contrast	Used in preoperative localization and postoperative evaluation when MRI-compatible electrodes are in place
`62290`	Spinal puncture, lumbar; diagnostic	May be performed in the perioperative period for CSF studies when infection or other concerns arise

CPT 61860: Placement of Cortical Neurostimulator Electrodes

CPT-61863-STEREOTACTIC-SUBCORTICAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT

CPT 61863: Stereotactic Subcortical Neurostimulator Electrode Placement

CPT-61864-ADDITIONAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT-STEREOTACTIC

CPT 61864: Stereotactic Placement of Additional Neurostimulator Electrode Array

CPT-61867-STEREOTACTIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT

CPT 61867: Stereotactic Placement of Neurostimulator Electrode Array

CPT-61868-STEREOTACTIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT-ADD-ON

CPT 61868: Stereotactic Neurostimulator Electrode Placement (Add-on)

CPT-61880-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-REMOVAL-REPLACEMENT-CRANIOTOMY

CPT 61880: Craniotomy for Neurostimulator Electrode Removal or Replacement

CPT-61885-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT-REPLACEMENT

CPT 61885: Cranial Pulse Generator Implantation or Replacement

CPT-61886-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT-REPLACEMENT-MULTIPLE-ELECTRODES

CPT 61886: Cranial Pulse Generator/Receiver Implant or Replacement

CPT-61888-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-REVISION-OR-REMOVAL

CPT 61888: Revision or Removal of Cranial Pulse Generator

CPT-61889-CRANIAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT

CPT 61889: Cranial Neurostimulator Pulse Generator Implant

Showing 1–10 of 12

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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Standard (usual) service	Use when the procedure is performed as the physician's typical service without unusual circumstances
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than usually required (extensive dissection, prolonged operative time)
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when procedure is performed with general anesthesia because local/regional anesthesia is contraindicated
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician's interpretation or professional component of a separately identifiable service (e.g., intraoperative EEG interpretation separate from facility)
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when identical procedures are performed on both cerebral hemispheres and payer requires bilateral modifier
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when multiple distinct procedures are billed during the same operative session and payer applies reduced payment to secondary procedures
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexpected instability)
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties share responsibility for the procedure (e.g., neurosurgeon and functional neurosurgeon)
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team performs the procedure (complex cases requiring multiple attending surgeons)
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during global period	Use when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative global period (e.g., hematoma evacuation)
`80`	Assistant surgeon present	Use when a surgical assistant (assistant-at-surgery) is documented and payer requires modifier for assistant services
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistant surgeon is present and documented
`82`	Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident not available)	Use when an assistant surgeon is needed and a qualified resident is not available
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure performed on the same date is distinct and separate from `CPT 61850` (e.g., unrelated cranial procedure)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Neurological Surgery	Primary specialty performing intracranial electrode placement
2080P0002X	Neurology	Epileptologists involved in pre- and postoperative EEG interpretation and monitoring
174400000X	Clinical Neurophysiology	Specialists who perform intraoperative and long-term intracranial EEG interpretation
363L00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists perform postoperative imaging confirmation and interventional imaging support
207K00000X	Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery	Occasionally involved for complex cranial reconstruction after electrode removal or craniotomy closure

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`61860`	Insertion of cranial electrode(s), depth (e.g., stereotactic), each	Performed when depth electrodes are placed stereotactically; may be billed in addition to or instead of cortical grid placement depending on technique
`95957`	Insertion and placement of invasive monitoring electrode(s), with telemetry (long-term intracranial monitoring)	Used for long-term invasive monitoring and telemetry services associated with intracranial electrodes placed during `CPT 61850`
`71045`	Chest radiograph, single view, portable	Common postoperative imaging for lines/airway or baseline studies in the perioperative period; often performed during the same admission
`70450`	CT head without contrast	Frequently performed immediately postoperatively to confirm electrode position and evaluate for hemorrhage
`70553`	MRI brain without and with contrast	Used in preoperative localization and postoperative evaluation when MRI-compatible electrodes are in place
`62290`	Spinal puncture, lumbar; diagnostic	May be performed in the perioperative period for CSF studies when infection or other concerns arise

CPT 61860: Placement of Cortical Neurostimulator Electrodes

CPT-61863-STEREOTACTIC-SUBCORTICAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT

CPT 61863: Stereotactic Subcortical Neurostimulator Electrode Placement

CPT-61864-ADDITIONAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT-STEREOTACTIC

CPT 61864: Stereotactic Placement of Additional Neurostimulator Electrode Array

CPT-61867-STEREOTACTIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT

CPT 61867: Stereotactic Placement of Neurostimulator Electrode Array

CPT-61868-STEREOTACTIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-PLACEMENT-ADD-ON

CPT 61868: Stereotactic Neurostimulator Electrode Placement (Add-on)

CPT-61880-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRODE-REMOVAL-REPLACEMENT-CRANIOTOMY

CPT 61880: Craniotomy for Neurostimulator Electrode Removal or Replacement

CPT-61885-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT-REPLACEMENT

CPT 61885: Cranial Pulse Generator Implantation or Replacement

CPT-61886-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT-REPLACEMENT-MULTIPLE-ELECTRODES

CPT 61886: Cranial Pulse Generator/Receiver Implant or Replacement

CPT-61888-CRANIAL-PULSE-GENERATOR-REVISION-OR-REMOVAL

CPT 61888: Revision or Removal of Cranial Pulse Generator

CPT-61889-CRANIAL-NEUROSTIMULATOR-PULSE-GENERATOR-IMPLANT

CPT 61889: Cranial Neurostimulator Pulse Generator Implant

Showing 1–10 of 12

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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CPT 61850: Intracranial Electrode Placement via Burr Holes

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 61850: Intracranial Electrode Placement via Burr Holes

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References