CPT code 62142 denotes the surgical removal of a previously placed bone flap or prosthetic skull plate and is used when implants must be taken out because of infection, swelling, wound-healing problems, or tumor regrowth. This code captures a clinically significant neurosurgical procedure that can affect hospital resource use, length of stay, and postoperative care needs across inpatient and outpatient surgical settings. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for tracking complication-related returns to the operating room and for appropriate claims processing.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical indications and typical sites of service, plus national benchmarking context and coding and billing considerations relevant to payers listed above. The publication outlines common clinical scenarios prompting explantation of cranial hardware and summarizes what stakeholders need to know about claim classification and potential utilization impacts. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.

This resource is intended for coding professionals, revenue cycle staff, clinical leaders, and policy analysts seeking clear, national-level context about CPT code 62142 and its role in neurosurgical care and claims processing.