CPT Code Overview

CPT 61510 describes a craniectomy or craniotomy for excision of a supratentorial brain tumor, except meningioma. This procedure is categorized under neurosurgery / craniotomy procedures and involves surgical opening of the skull to remove an intracranial tumor located in the supratentorial compartment. Typical sites of service for CPT 61510 are Hospital Inpatient (POS 21) and Ambulatory Surgery Center (POS 24).

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Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient presents with progressive headaches, focal neurological deficits and imaging demonstrating a supratentorial mass suspicious for a primary brain neoplasm. The patient is admitted to the hospital (POS 21) for preoperative evaluation including MRI brain with contrast, neurosurgical consultation, anesthesia assessment, and medical optimization. On the planned operative day the patient is taken to the operating room or ambulatory surgery center (POS 24) for a craniectomy/craniotomy to excise the supratentorial brain tumor. Intraoperative neuronavigation and microsurgical techniques are used, and postoperative monitoring occurs in a neurosurgical ward or intensive care unit as indicated. Pathology is obtained intraoperatively and submitted for final diagnosis; postoperative imaging confirms the extent of resection and guides subsequent oncologic or neurologic management.

Coding Specifications

• Modifiers

• 62 - Two Surgeons: Used when two surgeons from different surgical specialties or when the complexity requires two primary surgeons who each perform distinct components of the procedure.

• 80 - Assistant Surgeon: Used when an assistant surgeon provides surgical assistance to the primary surgeon; typically billed by the assistant surgeon and appended to the primary procedure code when payer policy allows.

• Provider Taxonomies

Related Diagnoses

• C71.9 — Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified

  This diagnosis represents a primary malignant brain tumor that may necessitate supratentorial tumor excision under 61510 when tumor location and pathology indicate resection.

• D33.0 — Benign neoplasm of brain, supratentorial

  Benign supratentorial tumors (for example low-grade gliomas) can be indications for craniectomy/craniotomy for excision using 61510 when the lesion is not a meningioma.

• D43.0 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of brain, supratentorial

  Lesions of uncertain histologic behavior identified on imaging may prompt surgical excision for diagnosis and treatment using 61510.

• G93.5 — Compression of brain

  Mass effect or brain compression from a supratentorial lesion may require decompression and tumor excision performed under 61510.

• R47.01 — Aphasia

  Focal neurologic deficits such as aphasia can be a presenting symptom localizing a supratentorial lesion and support medical necessity for operative management with 61510.

Related CPT Codes

• Common clinical workflow notes:

• 61512, 61514, and 61516 are used as alternatives depending on intraoperative diagnosis and documented intent; they may be chosen instead of 61510 when the lesion type is not a supratentorial brain tumor excision.

• Codes may be selected based on final operative and pathology documentation to reflect the actual procedure performed.

National Medicare mean allowed rate is $2,163.81 compared with the BUCA (average commercial) mean of $2,837.73 for 61510, indicating commercial averages exceed Medicare by $673.92 on a national basis. The largest commercial payers—UnitedHealth Group and Cigna—have significantly higher mean rates than Medicare and BUCA.

Dispersion measured as the interquartile range (P75 − P25) varies across payers. UnitedHealth Group shows one of the widest spreads (4,793.00 − 2,505.00 = $2,288.00), followed by Cigna (4,388.33 − 2,326.50 = $2,061.83). Medicare is the tightest (2,262.00 − 2,063.00 = $199.00), with Aetna also relatively tight (2,467.00 − 1,244.00 = $1,223.00). The table and chart below present the full payer breakdown.