CPT code 62256: Shunt removal, without replacement2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports surgical removal of a complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system when the system is taken out without replacement.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 62256 in Florida.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 62256 covers
A neurosurgeon surgically removes the complete CSF diversion system, including its intracranial catheter and connected valve and drainage tubing. A common example is explantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt because of infection when the shunt is not replaced during the procedure. The service is generally performed in an operating room; it is distinct from revising one component or adjusting a programmable valve.
Report 62256 when the complete shunt system is removed and no replacement is performed. If a complete system is removed and replaced, compare 62258; if only a catheter or other shunt component is revised, consider the code for that service instead. Documentation should identify the shunt components removed and clarify whether replacement occurred. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted. Do not append modifier 50 for this service.
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 62256 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Unavailable | $724.28 |
| Miami, FL | Unavailable | $804.45 |
| Rest of Florida | Unavailable | $676.83 |
How the 62256 rate is calculated
Each of 62256’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.
How the rate is built · 62256
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work7.20
7.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.98
8.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.98
2.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
19.1600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$639.96
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 62256
62256 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 62256
Shunt removal, without replacement
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.11/0.76/0.13 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 62256
Shunt removal, without replacement
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
62256 without 51 · national facility
$639.96
Shunt removal, without replacement
62256-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$319.98
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
62256 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 62258Shunt exchangeComplete system replacement
- Use 62258 when the complete CSF shunt system is removed and replaced. Use 62256 when removal is performed without replacement.
- 62230Shunt revisionComponent revision, not full-system replacement
- 62230 addresses revision or replacement of shunt hardware; 62256 is for removal of the complete system without replacement.
- 62225Ventricular catheterReplacement or irrigation
- 62225 concerns ventricular catheter replacement or irrigation, not explantation of the complete shunt system.
- 62252Shunt reprogrammingPer day
- 62252 is valve reprogramming, a non-explant service; 62256 involves surgical removal of the complete shunt system.
62256 billing questions
When should 62256 be reported instead of 62258?
Use 62256 when the complete shunt system is removed without replacement. Use 62258 when the complete system is removed and replaced.
Can 62256 be used for removal of only a shunt catheter?
No. This code describes removal of the complete CSF shunt system; a procedure limited to a catheter or another component is a different service.
What documentation supports reporting 62256?
Document the shunt system components removed and make clear that no replacement was performed. For example, note whether the ventricular catheter, valve, and connected drainage tubing were explanted.
What is the Medicare global period for 62256?
It has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How are other procedures in the same session paid?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. An assistant at surgery may be paid, but co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for removal of this shunt system.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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