Anterior thoracic discectomy at one interspace with decompression of the cord or nerve roots and removal of osteophytes, typically through a transthoracic approach.
- Medicare
- $1,311.65
- Work RVU
- 22.31
- 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 ↓
- Thoracic interspace and anterior approach (thoracotomy or thoracoscopic)
- Disc and osteophyte removal and cord decompression
- Myelopathy or radicular findings with MRI or CT correlation
- Approach surgeon role and separate dictation if co-surgery
- Any anterior fusion or instrumentation
- Reason a posterior approach was not chosen
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 ↓
63077 is an anterior discectomy at one thoracic interspace with decompression of the cord or roots, including osteophyte removal. The approach is usually transthoracic, either open thoracotomy or thoracoscopic-assisted, which is why a thoracic or general surgeon often opens and closes. Each additional thoracic interspace reports add-on 63078.
This is a rare code in most ortho spine practices and it gets reviewed. The usual case is a large or calcified central thoracic disc with myelopathy. Posterior approaches use other codes: transpedicular 63055, costovertebral 63064. Make sure the op note supports an anterior route.
If an approach surgeon does the exposure, payers handle it two ways: co-surgery with modifier 62 on 63077 for both surgeons, or the approach surgeon billing an assistant code. Check the payer's co-surgery indicator before deciding. Anterior fusion and instrumentation at the same level are reported separately when performed. Chest tube placement by the approach surgeon is usually bundled into the approach. Global period is 90 days.
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 (22.31) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (39.27) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 22.31 |
| Practice expense RVU | 12.21 |
| Malpractice RVU | 4.75 |
| Total RVU | 39.27 |
| Medicare national rate | $1,311.65 |
| 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 | $1,311.65 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 63077 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Posterior approach documented, so 63055 or 63064 applies
- Co-surgery billed when the payer does not allow it for this code
- Approach surgeon note missing
- Additional levels billed as units instead of 63078
- Chest tube billed separately and bundled
- Records request not returned in time
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 3 cited references ↓
01What approach does CPT 63077 describe?
02Can two surgeons bill 63077?
03What add-on code goes with 63077?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe's notes document the myelopathy exam and imaging review behind a thoracic discectomy, which helps a code that is often pulled for manual review.
See how Mira captures CPT 63077 documentation