62200 Establish brain cavity shunt
Also known as: lumbar CSF drainage, thecal sac drainage, spinal fluid drainage
Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via lumbar puncture or thecal sac needle placement. Includes placement of drain or catheter.
In Plain Language
spinal fluid drainage surgery; lumbar drain placement
Clinical Context
Used for temporary or permanent drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the thecal sac in cases of hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 18.81 |
| Total RVU | 18.81 |
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 18.81, this code ranks in the 80th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.4x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 62200?
CPT 62200 (Establish brain cavity shunt) is a Surgery code. Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via lumbar puncture or thecal sac needle placement. Includes placement of drain or catheter.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 62200?
The work RVU for CPT 62200 is 18.81. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 62200 used?
Used for temporary or permanent drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the thecal sac in cases of hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure.
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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.