61210 Burr hole implant ventr catheter
Also known as: burr hole ventricular catheter, external ventricular drain, ventriculostomy, burr hole subdural
Burr hole creation with placement of ventricular catheter for cerebrospinal fluid drainage or intracranial pressure monitoring.
In Plain Language
small skull opening with drainage tube placement; temporary brain fluid drainage
Clinical Context
Used for acute hydrocephalus, intracranial pressure monitoring, or CSF drainage in traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or post-operative settings. Allows monitoring and management while definitive treatment occurs.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.68 |
| Total RVU | 5.68 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.68, this code ranks in the 38th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61210?
CPT 61210 (Burr hole implant ventr catheter) is a Surgery code. Burr hole creation with placement of ventricular catheter for cerebrospinal fluid drainage or intracranial pressure monitoring.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61210?
The work RVU for CPT 61210 is 5.68. This code is primarily used by neurosurgery, critical care medicine.
When is CPT 61210 used?
Used for acute hydrocephalus, intracranial pressure monitoring, or CSF drainage in traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or post-operative settings. Allows monitoring and management while definitive treatment occurs.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.