Summary & Overview
CPT 62192: Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Placement for Hydrocephalus
CPT code 62192 covers surgical insertion of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt to divert excess CSF from the subarachnoid or subdural space to a distal terminus such as the abdominal or pleural cavity, treating hydrocephalus. This neurosurgical procedure addresses intracranial pressure caused by obstructed CSF flow and is a critical intervention for patients at risk of neurological injury. Nationally, CSF shunt placement represents a high-acuity surgical service with implications for hospital resource use, perioperative care standards, and post-discharge management.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context about when the procedure is performed, typical sites of service, and the procedural scope associated with the code. The publication also provides benchmarking and policy-relevant information where available, such as common billing modifiers and payer coverage considerations, and highlights areas where data were not provided.
This summary equips clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with a concise reference to the procedural intent and health system relevance of CPT code 62192, along with guidance on the topics addressed in the full publication: billing benchmarks, payer policies, and clinical context for CSF shunt placement.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62192 describes the surgical insertion of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt in a patient with accumulation of fluid beneath the arachnoid or dural membranes of the brain. The procedure establishes a conduit to divert excess CSF from the ventricles to a distal terminus — commonly the abdominal cavity or pleural cavity — to relieve intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus.
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Service type: Surgical neurosurgical procedure for CSF shunt placement
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Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital or operating room setting; may also occur in specialized ambulatory surgical centers depending on clinical complexity and facility capability
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient presents with progressive headaches, gait disturbance, and cognitive decline. Neuroimaging (CT or MRI) demonstrates ventriculomegaly and evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus due to a posterior fossa mass. After multidisciplinary evaluation, the neurosurgery team schedules placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the abdominal cavity. Preoperative workflow includes consent, baseline neurologic exam, labs, and anesthesia assessment. In the operating room under general anesthesia, the surgeon creates a burr hole, places a ventricular catheter into the lateral ventricle, tunnels a subcutaneous catheter to the abdomen, connects a valve/reservoir, and confirms distal catheter placement. Postoperative care includes neurologic monitoring, wound assessment, imaging to verify catheter position, pain control, and instructions for signs of shunt malfunction or infection. Typical site of service is the hospital operating room; the service type is a surgical implant procedure for CSF diversion to treat hydrocephalus. Common patient scenarios include obstructive hydrocephalus from tumor, intraventricular hemorrhage with persistent hydrocephalus, normal-pressure hydrocephalus requiring CSF diversion, or congenital/communicating hydrocephalus with symptomatic elevation of intracranial pressure.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default/No modifier | Standard reporting when no special circumstances or payment adjustments apply |