CPT code 62230: Shunt revision, component revision, not full-system replacement2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 62230 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 62230 covers

A neurosurgeon uses this code when surgically revising or replacing part of an existing cerebrospinal fluid diversion shunt, such as a valve or distal tubing, while leaving the overall system in place. Common reasons include mechanical failure, disconnection, obstruction, or migration that requires operative correction. These procedures are generally performed in a hospital operating room for patients with conditions such as hydrocephalus.

The operative report should identify the existing shunt, the component addressed, the reason for revision, and what was repaired or replaced. Distinguish a component-level revision from replacement of the complete shunt system; ventricular catheter replacement or irrigation has a separate code. This major surgery includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 62230 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 62230 rate is calculated

Each of 62230’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 62230

62230 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

62230 compared with similar codes

How to choose

62225Ventricular catheterReplacement or irrigation

Use 62225 for ventricular catheter replacement or irrigation. Use 62230 for revision or replacement of another shunt component, such as a valve or distal tubing.

62258Shunt exchangeComplete system replacement

Use 62258 when the complete shunt system is removed and replaced. Code 62230 describes a component-level revision that leaves the overall system in place.

62252Shunt reprogrammingPer day

Code 62252 is for reprogramming a programmable shunt valve. Code 62230 requires operative revision or replacement of a shunt component.

62223CSF shunt creationPeritoneal, pleural, or other terminus

Code 62223 establishes a new shunt to a body cavity; 62230 revises or replaces part of an already implanted shunt system.

Codes related to 62230

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates