Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our neurosurgeon performed an external ventricular drain (EVD) placement. Which code should we report for this service?

New York Subscriber

Answer: If the surgeon placed the EVD using a twist drill (or hand drill), you should report 61107 (Twist drill hole[s] for subdural, intracerebral, or ventricular puncture; for implanting ventricular catheter, pressure recording device, or other intracerebral monitoring device). Surgeons often perform this procedure for drainage or to determine the amount of excess fluid that the patient is generating. Surgeons may perform this procedure right at the bedside.

You should report 61210 (Burr hole[s]; for implanting ventricular catheter, reservoir, EEG electrode[s], pressure recording device, or other cerebral monitoring device  [separate procedure]) if the physician performs the burr hole for ventricular puncture, usually performed in the OR.