62180 Establish brain cavity shunt
Also known as: VP shunt placement, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, brain shunt surgery
Establishment of ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculopleural cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Creates drainage system from ventricles to body cavity.
In Plain Language
brain fluid drainage surgery; shunt surgery for hydrocephalus
Clinical Context
Used for treatment of hydrocephalus by creating a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from brain ventricles.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 22.02 |
| Total RVU | 22.02 |
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 22.02, this code ranks in the 85th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 62180?
CPT 62180 (Establish brain cavity shunt) is a Surgery code. Establishment of ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculopleural cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Creates drainage system from ventricles to body cavity.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 62180?
The work RVU for CPT 62180 is 22.02. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 62180 used?
Used for treatment of hydrocephalus by creating a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from brain ventricles.
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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.