2025 CPT code 61512
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Craniectomy, trephination, bone flap craniotomy for excision of supratentorial meningioma.
Modifiers are allowed. For example, modifier -22 can be used for increased procedural services, or modifier -51 for multiple procedures. The appropriate modifier depends on specific payer guidelines.
Medical necessity must be established by documenting the patient's symptoms, neurological findings, and imaging results demonstrating the presence of the supratentorial meningioma and its impact on the patient's health. The medical record should clearly indicate that surgical excision is the necessary treatment for the patient's condition.
The neurosurgeon performs the entire procedure, including incision, bone removal, tumor excision, drainage, closure, and dressing application. Anesthesia and patient preparation are also part of the overall clinical responsibility.
In simple words: The surgeon removes a piece of the skull to access the brain and remove a tumor called a meningioma. This tumor is located in the upper part of the brain. The skull bone is typically replaced after the tumor is removed.
This procedure involves removing a portion of the skull (craniectomy or craniotomy, often using a bone flap technique) to access and excise a meningioma located above the tentorium cerebelli (supratentorial).A burr hole (trephination) is often created initially to facilitate the process.The procedure encompasses the entire process from opening the skull and accessing the brain to removing the meningioma, and closing the incision site.
Example 1: A 50-year-old patient presents with symptoms consistent with a brain tumor. Imaging reveals a supratentorial meningioma causing pressure on the brain.Code 61512 is used for the surgical removal of the meningioma., A patient experiences seizures and headaches.A large meningioma is discovered in the supratentorial region.The surgeon performs a craniotomy with bone flap and excises the meningioma.Code 61512 is applied., A patient with vision changes is diagnosed with a supratentorial meningioma affecting the optic nerve.A craniectomy with a bone flap is performed to remove the tumor.61512 is the appropriate code for this procedure.
Documentation must include details of the surgical approach (craniectomy/craniotomy, bone flap), the precise location of the meningioma (supratentorial), the size and type of the meningioma, operative findings, and any complications encountered. Pre-operative imaging reports and post-operative care plans should also be included.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital