Summary & Overview
CPT 62355: Removal of Implanted Intrathecal Catheter
CPT code 62355 represents the surgical removal of a previously implanted, tunneled intrathecal catheter used for long-term medication delivery. This code captures explantation procedures performed when catheters are infected, malfunctioning, or no longer required by the patient. Nationally, correct coding for catheter removal affects clinical documentation, procedural reporting, and payment for inpatient and outpatient surgical settings.
Key payers commonly relevant to this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for explantation, the typical sites of service (hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center), and discussion points about coding clarity and documentation essentials. The publication outlines benchmarks and common billing considerations where available, highlights policy and coverage variables that influence adjudication across major payers, and summarizes implications for clinical workflow and claims processing.
Data not available in the input for specific payer reimbursement rates, ICD-10 pairings, and related codes is noted where relevant.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62355 describes the removal of a previously implanted and tunneled intrathecal catheter. This procedure typically occurs when an intrathecal catheter that was placed for long-term medication delivery (for example, chronic pain management or spasticity therapy) must be explanted because of infection, malfunction, or because the patient no longer requires intrathecal medication.
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Service type: Surgical implant removal/explant procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, depending on clinical status and need for anesthesia
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with a history of chronic malignant pain previously managed with an implanted intrathecal drug-delivery catheter presents with signs of catheter-related infection and intermittent malfunction. The patient was originally implanted with a tunneled intrathecal catheter for continuous opioid infusion. On evaluation, the infectious disease consultant documents cellulitis and drainage at the catheter exit site and cerebrospinal fluid cultures are positive. The pain-management team and neurosurgery determine removal of the previously implanted and tunneled intrathecal catheter is indicated. The procedure is scheduled in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia. Preoperative documentation includes indication, informed consent, medication reconciliation, and review of imaging if catheter position or adherence to prior procedures is questioned. Intraoperative workflow includes sterile removal of the tunneled catheter, wound culture collection, hemostasis, and wound closure or packing as indicated. Postoperative documentation includes operative report with device removal details, any complications, specimen/culture results, pain control plan, and follow-up wound care instructions. Billing is submitted using 62355 for removal of a previously implanted tunneled intrathecal catheter.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (listed for systems that require a default) |