62223 Establish brain cavity shunt
Also known as: cervical drain placement, upper thoracic drain, cervical CSF drainage
Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via cervical or upper thoracic subarachnoid space puncture. Alternative drainage location.
In Plain Language
neck area brain fluid drainage; upper back spinal fluid drainage
Clinical Context
Used for cerebrospinal fluid drainage when lumbar or cisternal approaches are contraindicated or inaccessible.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 13.70 |
| Total RVU | 13.70 |
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 13.70, this code ranks in the 69th 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 62223?
CPT 62223 (Establish brain cavity shunt) is a Surgery code. Establishment of cerebrospinal fluid drainage system via cervical or upper thoracic subarachnoid space puncture. Alternative drainage location.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 62223?
The work RVU for CPT 62223 is 13.70. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 62223 used?
Used for cerebrospinal fluid drainage when lumbar or cisternal approaches are contraindicated or inaccessible.
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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.