Needle-based percutaneous decompression of the lumbar disc nucleus, one or more levels, using any method such as laser, coblation, or mechanical removal.
- Medicare
- $533.75
- Work RVU
- 9.03
- Global, days
- 90
- Region
- Spine
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 3 cited references ↓
- Contained disc herniation on MRI with level
- Radicular symptoms matching the imaging
- Conservative care tried, with dates and results
- Prior authorization or written payer response
- Technique and levels treated
Applicable modifiers
Modifiers commonly billed with this code.
Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual
What this code covers
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 3 cited references ↓
62287 reports percutaneous lumbar disc decompression through a needle-based technique. One unit covers one or more levels. It carries a 90-day global, which surprises people who think of it as an injection.
Coverage is the main problem. Many commercial payers and Medicare contractors consider percutaneous disc decompression experimental or not medically necessary, so get a prior authorization or a written denial before scheduling, and use an advance beneficiary notice for Medicare patients when the procedure is not covered. Fluoroscopic guidance is part of the procedure and is not billed separately. Discography or disc aspiration at the same session is not billed with it.
If it is covered, the documentation must show a contained disc herniation with radicular symptoms matching the imaging and failed conservative care, with dates. Visits during the next 90 days for the same problem are included, so a postop follow-up billed as a new E/M will deny.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
Work RVU vs. total RVU
The work RVU (9.03) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (15.98) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 9.03 |
| Practice expense RVU | 6.02 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.93 |
| Total RVU | 15.98 |
| Medicare national rate | $533.75 |
| Global period | 90 days |
Payment by site of service
Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.
Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026
| Setting | Medicare rate (national) |
|---|---|
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office | $533.75 |
HOPD (APC 5431) Hospital outpatient department | $1,995.02 |
ASC (PI A2) Ambulatory surgical center (freestanding) | $948.66 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 62287 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Payer policy treats the procedure as investigational
- Fluoroscopy billed separately
- Follow-up visits billed inside the 90-day global
- Multiple units billed for multiple levels
- No ABN on file for a non-covered Medicare service
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 3 cited references ↓
01Does Medicare cover CPT 62287?
02Can I bill 62287 for each level?
03Is fluoroscopy billed with 62287?
04What is the global period for 62287?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe records the radicular exam, imaging match, and each conservative treatment with dates, which is what an authorization request for disc decompression needs.
See how Mira captures CPT 62287 documentation