62220 Establish brain cavity shunt
Also known as: cisternal drain placement, subarachnoid drainage, cisternal CSF drainage
Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via cisternal puncture. Includes placement of drain or catheter in the subarachnoid space.
In Plain Language
brain fluid drainage at base of brain; subarachnoid space drain
Clinical Context
Used for cerebrospinal fluid drainage in cases of hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure via cisterna magna puncture.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 13.75 |
| Total RVU | 13.75 |
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 13.75, this code ranks in the 70th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.7x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 62220?
CPT 62220 (Establish brain cavity shunt) is a Surgery code. Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via cisternal puncture. Includes placement of drain or catheter in the subarachnoid space.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 62220?
The work RVU for CPT 62220 is 13.75. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 62220 used?
Used for cerebrospinal fluid drainage in cases of hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure via cisterna magna puncture.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
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.