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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

How to Code 2 Sides of VP Shunt Replacements

Published on Fri Nov 21, 2008

Question: The neurosurgeon removed a left-sided ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and placed a new shunt on the right side. I know to use 62258, but does it matter that the shunts were different sided? Florida Subscriber Answer: You won't find location specified in the descriptor for 62258 (Removal of complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system; with replacement by similar or other shunt at same operation), so you should not encounter any problems using this code. Remember code 62258 is only correct if the neurosurgeon removed the complete system on the left and placed a complete system on the right.
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