Summary & Overview
CPT 62360: Implant or Replace Intrathecal/Epidural Medication Reservoir
CPT code 62360 covers the implantation or replacement of a subcutaneous reservoir used for intrathecal or epidural infusion of medications, enabling targeted delivery of anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, and chemotherapeutic agents. This code is significant nationally because implantable reservoir systems are a key modality for long-term management of refractory pain and for delivering site-directed therapies that can reduce systemic exposure and side effects.
Key payers in the national analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and typical sites of service, as well as payor coverage considerations and benchmarking where available. The content also outlines common billing modifiers and how 62360 relates to related procedural services, helping coding and billing professionals align documentation and claim submissions with payer policies.
The publication highlights operational and reimbursement implications for hospital and ambulatory surgical settings, addresses common policy themes across major payers, and provides references to clinical scenarios where reservoir implantation is utilized. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable to maintain clarity about missing fields.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62360 describes the implantation or replacement of a subcutaneous reservoir for intrathecal or epidural infusion of medications. The procedure establishes a secure, implantable access port to deliver therapeutics such as anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, and chemotherapeutic solutions directly into the intrathecal or epidural space for management of pain and administration of targeted therapies.
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Service type: Implantation or replacement of an implanted medication reservoir for intrathecal/epidural infusion
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, with perioperative care in inpatient or outpatient surgical settings
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old patient with chronic, refractory cancer-related or nonmalignant axial low back pain and severe spasticity is referred to pain management after failing conservative therapies (oral analgesics, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections). The interventional pain physician evaluates the patient, verifies indications for intrathecal therapy, and obtains informed consent. Preoperative steps include medication reconciliation, baseline neurologic and sensory exam, imaging review (lumbar MRI), and perioperative antibiotics. The patient is brought to an ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room for implantation of an intrathecal pump reservoir and catheter system. Under fluoroscopic guidance and sterile technique, the provider creates a subcutaneous pocket, implants or replaces the reservoir (62360), tunnels and secures the intrathecal catheter to the appropriate spinal level, confirms catheter tip location with contrast, and closes the incision. Postoperative workflow includes device programming or initial fill/bolus of medication, wound check, recovery monitoring for neurologic or hemodynamic complications, and discharge instructions with follow-up for refills and pump programming. Typical sites of service are ambulatory surgical centers, hospital outpatient departments, or inpatient operating rooms for complex revisions or medically complex patients.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default or unspecified modifier (not commonly applied clinically) |