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Official Description

Reprogramming of programmable cerebrospinal shunt

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A programmable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt is a medical device designed to manage the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with conditions such as hydrocephalus, where there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain. The procedure described by CPT® Code 62252 involves the reprogramming of this shunt, which is a non-invasive method aimed at adjusting the pressure settings of an already implanted shunt. This adjustment is crucial for correcting issues related to the drainage of CSF, specifically addressing problems of over-drainage or under-drainage that can occur in patients with hydrocephalus or other fluid-related conditions in the brain, such as fluid-filled cysts. The reprogramming process is particularly important after certain diagnostic imaging procedures, such as an MRI, which may necessitate changes in the shunt's settings. During the procedure, the physician palpates the valve of the shunt through the skin, typically located behind the ear, to ensure accurate placement of the programming device. A specialized programmer is then used to set the desired pressure level, and an electromagnetic transmitter sends a coded signal through the skin to the valve, effectively resetting the pressure setting. Following this adjustment, a radiograph is obtained to confirm that the new pressure setting has been successfully implemented. If the imaging indicates that the desired pressure has not been achieved, the physician has the option to repeat the reprogramming procedure to ensure optimal management of the patient's condition.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The reprogramming of a programmable cerebrospinal shunt is indicated for several specific conditions and scenarios, including:

  • Hydrocephalus - A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure.
  • Fluid-filled cysts - The presence of cysts in the brain that may require management of CSF flow to prevent complications.
  • Under-drainage of CSF - A situation where insufficient cerebrospinal fluid is being drained, necessitating an adjustment in the shunt's pressure settings.
  • Post-MRI adjustments - Reprogramming is required following magnetic resonance imaging to ensure the shunt functions correctly after potential changes in pressure settings.

2. Procedure

The procedure for reprogramming a programmable cerebrospinal shunt involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Palpation of the Valve - The physician begins by palpating the valve of the previously implanted CSF shunt through the skin, which is typically located behind the patient's ear. This step is crucial for accurately locating the valve to ensure effective reprogramming.
  • Step 2: Placement of the Programmer - Once the valve is located, the transmitter head of the programming device is placed directly over the valve. This positioning is essential for the subsequent transmission of signals to the shunt.
  • Step 3: Setting the Desired Pressure - The programming console is then adjusted to the desired pressure setting, which is determined based on the patient's specific needs and clinical condition.
  • Step 4: Transmission of the Signal - An electromagnetic transmitter device is utilized to send a coded magnetic signal through the skin to the valve. This signal effectively resets the pressure setting of the shunt, allowing for the necessary adjustments to be made.
  • Step 5: Verification with Radiograph - After the reprogramming is completed, a radiograph is obtained to verify that the pressure setting has been successfully reset. This imaging step is critical to ensure that the shunt is functioning as intended.
  • Step 6: Repeat Procedure if Necessary - If the radiograph indicates that the desired pressure setting has not been achieved, the physician may repeat the reprogramming procedure to ensure optimal management of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid flow.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the reprogramming of the programmable cerebrospinal shunt, patients may be monitored for any immediate effects of the adjustment. It is important to assess the patient's response to the new pressure setting and to ensure that symptoms related to CSF drainage are adequately managed. The physician may provide specific instructions regarding follow-up appointments to monitor the shunt's performance and to address any potential complications. Additionally, patients may be advised to report any unusual symptoms or changes in their condition that could indicate issues with the shunt's function.

Short Descr CSF SHUNT REPROGRAM
Medium Descr REPRGRMG PROGRAMMABLE CEREBROSPINAL SHUNT
Long Descr Reprogramming of programmable cerebrospinal shunt
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 2 - Insertion, replacement, or removal of extracranial ventricular shunt
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
93 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only telecommunications system : synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located away at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that is sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2001-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2001.
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