December 3, 2020

Question:
What’s the best way to code a retrosigmoid approach and removal of a meningioma at the cerebellopontine angle? Should I use 61519 or 61520?

Answer:
CPT 61520 (Craniectomy for excision of brain tumor, infratentorial or posterior fossa; cerebellopontine angle tumor) is more accurate since it better describes the location of the tumor and is valued for the added complexity of the tumor being at the CPA.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 12/03/20.