61735 Incise skull/brain surgery
Also known as: extended brain incision
Craniotomy with extended brain incision for treatment of extensive parenchymal pathology or multiple lesions.
In Plain Language
Extended brain opening for drainage or treatment
Clinical Context
Performed for extensive intracerebral pathology or when multiple separate lesions require individual treatment.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 21.79 |
| Total RVU | 21.79 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 21.79, this code ranks in the 85th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.7x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61735?
CPT 61735 (Incise skull/brain surgery) is a Surgery code. Craniotomy with extended brain incision for treatment of extensive parenchymal pathology or multiple lesions.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61735?
The work RVU for CPT 61735 is 21.79. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 61735 used?
Performed for extensive intracerebral pathology or when multiple separate lesions require individual treatment.
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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.