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Official Description

Refilling and maintenance of implantable pump or reservoir for drug delivery, spinal (intrathecal, epidural) or brain (intraventricular), includes electronic analysis of pump, when performed; requiring skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An implantable spinal or brain infusion pump is a medical device designed to deliver medication directly into the spinal canal or brain, providing long-term continuous or intermittent drug infusion. This method of drug delivery is particularly beneficial for patients requiring consistent medication management, as it allows for precise dosing and minimizes the need for oral or intravenous administration. Over time, the pump or reservoir that holds the medication must be periodically refilled to ensure uninterrupted drug delivery. During the refilling process, maintenance of the pump or reservoir is also performed, which may include checking for any malfunctions or issues that could affect its operation. Additionally, an electronic analysis of the pump is conducted, utilizing specialized interrogation devices to assess the pump's functionality. This analysis provides critical information regarding the status of the drug reservoir, alarm conditions, and drug flow rates, ensuring that all parameters are functioning within acceptable limits. The procedure for refilling and maintaining the implantable pump requires the expertise of a physician or other qualified healthcare professional, as it involves technical skills and knowledge to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. Use CPT® Code 95991 when documenting this procedure, as it encompasses the necessary skills and actions involved in the refilling and maintenance of the implantable pump or reservoir.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure for refilling and maintaining an implantable pump or reservoir is indicated for patients who require ongoing medication delivery via an implanted device. This includes individuals with chronic pain conditions, spasticity, or other neurological disorders that necessitate continuous or intermittent drug infusion. The procedure is essential for ensuring that the medication levels remain therapeutic and effective, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

  • Chronic Pain Management Patients suffering from chronic pain conditions may benefit from the continuous delivery of analgesics through an implantable pump.
  • Spasticity Treatment Individuals with spasticity due to neurological conditions may require consistent medication to manage muscle tone and improve mobility.
  • Neurological Disorders Patients with certain neurological disorders may need ongoing medication delivery to manage symptoms effectively.

2. Procedure

The procedure for refilling and maintaining the implantable pump involves several critical steps to ensure proper function and patient safety.

  • Step 1: Verification of Prescription and Patient Information Before the procedure begins, the healthcare professional verifies the medication prescription and patient information received from the pharmacy. This step is crucial to ensure that the correct medication is administered and that the patient is appropriately identified.
  • Step 2: Preparation for Refilling The healthcare professional prepares the necessary equipment, including the external needle and the drug to be infused. The area around the implantable pump is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Drug Injection Using a sterile external needle, the healthcare professional injects the medication into the pump or reservoir through a self-septum. This method allows for a secure and sterile entry point for drug delivery.
  • Step 4: Electronic Analysis After the drug has been injected, an electronic analysis of the pump is performed. This involves connecting the programmable pump to an interrogation device, which assesses the pump's functionality. The device provides information on the reservoir status, alarm status, and drug flow rates.
  • Step 5: Evaluation of Parameters The healthcare professional evaluates the data obtained from the electronic analysis to ensure that all parameters, including drug flow rates and reservoir status, are within normal limits. Any abnormalities may require further investigation or intervention.

3. Post-Procedure

After the refilling and maintenance procedure, the patient may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications or adverse reactions. Instructions regarding post-procedure care, including signs of infection or pump malfunction, should be provided to the patient. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the medication and the overall function of the implantable pump. It is essential for the patient to report any unusual symptoms or concerns to their healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr SPIN/BRAIN PUMP REFIL & MAIN
Medium Descr RFL&MAIN IMPLT PMP/RSVR DLVR SPI/BRN PHY/QHP
Long Descr Refilling and maintenance of implantable pump or reservoir for drug delivery, spinal (intrathecal, epidural) or brain (intraventricular), includes electronic analysis of pump, when performed; requiring skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
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, Multiple Reduction Applies
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) O1C - Enteral and parenteral
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 8 - Other non-OR or closed therapeutic nervous system procedures
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
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.)
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.
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
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KD Drug or biological infused through dme
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2012-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2004-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2004.
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