CPT code 22515: Vertebral augmentation, each additional thoracic or lumbar body2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA

Reports each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body treated with percutaneous mechanical vertebral augmentation beyond the initial treated body.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality12.4K Medicare services in 2024

In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $3,238.61 for 22515 in the office and $182.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$3,238.61Office (non-facility)
$182.26Hospital or facility
+8.8%vs the national office rate ($2,977.69)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 22515 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 22515 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in El Centro, CA
  2. What 22515 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 22515 covers

This add-on represents percutaneous stabilization of another thoracic or lumbar vertebral body, typically by creating a cavity with a mechanical device and filling it with bone cement. It is used for conditions such as painful vertebral compression fractures. Interventional radiologists, spine surgeons, and other physicians trained in vertebral augmentation may perform the procedure in a hospital or outpatient setting, using imaging to guide treatment.

Report one unit for each additional vertebral body treated beyond the first: pair it with 22513 for a thoracic primary level or 22514 for a lumbar primary level. The procedure note should identify each treated vertebral body and support that augmentation was performed at each additional level. CMS classifies 22515 as an add-on code, so it is billed only with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure’s global period.

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.

How El Centro, CA compares for 22515

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 22515 runs from $2,567.13 in Arkansas to $4,226.68 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $3,238.61. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

22515 in El Centro, CA vs other payment areas
  1. El Centro, CA · this page$3,238.61
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$3,240.67+$2.06
  3. Chico, CA · California$3,238.48−$0.13
  4. Fresno, CA · California$3,238.48−$0.13
  5. Hanford, CA · California$3,238.48−$0.13
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$3,490.42+$251.81
  7. Madera, CA · California$3,238.48−$0.13

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

22515 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
Modesto, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
Napa, CACalifornia$3,870.01$194.58
Oxnard, CACalifornia$3,484.82$188.65
Redding, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
Riverside, CACalifornia$3,246.98$190.63
Sacramento, CACalifornia$3,429.97$186.78

22515 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$2,567.13

$3,732.58

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
22515 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$3,214.341
AL$2,613.611
AR$2,567.131
AZ$2,886.441
CA$3,238.48–$4,226.6829
CO$3,154.021
CT$3,203.061
DC$3,489.851
DE$2,941.821
FL$2,866.84–$3,133.703
GA$2,678.08–$3,028.522
GU$3,353.061
HI$3,353.061
IA$2,721.991
ID$2,738.101
IL$2,747.12–$3,075.144
IN$2,758.191
KS$2,693.781
KY$2,662.311
LA$2,652.16–$2,814.842
MA$3,123.93–$3,527.412
MD$3,010.68–$3,489.853
ME$2,742.03–$2,942.562
MI$2,735.66–$2,897.062
MN$3,040.921
MO$2,587.70–$2,842.333
MS$2,578.681
MT$2,977.641
NC$2,779.151
ND$2,962.021
NE$2,744.061
NH$3,090.051
NJ$3,245.00–$3,439.062
NM$2,748.851
NV$2,976.101
NY$2,828.80–$3,541.825
OH$2,732.471
OK$2,669.951
OR$2,958.57–$3,286.152
PA$2,744.91–$3,100.792
PR$3,008.331
RI$3,070.411
SC$2,759.331
SD$2,960.171
TN$2,708.761
TX$2,721.92–$3,138.568
UT$2,805.741
VA$2,921.97–$3,489.852
VI$3,008.331
VT$2,936.441
WA$3,122.59–$3,619.752
WI$2,840.951
WV$2,619.511
WY$2,970.831

See 22515 in every payment locality

How the 22515 rate is calculated

Each of 22515’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 · 22515

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.90

3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense84.46

84.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.79

0.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

89.1500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$2,977.69

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

2,076

Code
22515
Physician work
3.90
Practice expense
84.46
Malpractice
0.79

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office calculation for 22515 in El Centro, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.90× 1.0173.9663
Practice expense84.46× 1.09692.5682
Malpractice0.79× 0.5410.4274
Total RVUs96.9619
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, El Centro, CA$3238.61

Office: (3.9 × 1.017 + 84.46 × 1.096 + 0.79 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $3238.61

Facility: (3.9 × 1.017 + 0.97 × 1.096 + 0.79 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $182.26

Open 22515 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 22515

The CMS indicators that decide how 22515 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 22515

Vertebral augmentation, each additional thoracic or lumbar body

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

How 22515 has changed in El Centro, CA

22515 · Office / nonfacility

$3238.61

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $358.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $2879.93 to $3238.61 (12.5%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $2879.93changed to$3238.61

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.00 changed to 3.90
    • Practice expense RVU 77.33 changed to 84.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $3111.79changed to$2879.93

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 81.40 changed to 77.33

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $3061.00changed to$3111.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $3243.64changed to$3061.00

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 84.49 changed to 81.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $3390.18changed to$3243.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 87.68 changed to 84.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.77 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $3882.79changed to$3390.18

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 100.20 changed to 87.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.77
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $4057.81changed to$3882.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 100.84 changed to 100.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.74
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $4357.45changed to$4057.81

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 108.36 changed to 100.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.79 changed to 0.73
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $4719.89changed to$4357.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 117.86 changed to 108.36
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $4763.42changed to$4719.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 118.75 changed to 117.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$4763.42

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$3,238.61$182.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$3,238.61$182.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$3,238.61$182.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$3,238.61$182.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$2,879.93$205.34RVU25D
2025-07-01$2,879.93$205.34RVU25C
2025-04-01$2,879.93$205.34RVU25B
2025-01-01$2,879.93$205.34RVU25A
2024-10-01$3,111.79$210.23RVU24D
2024-07-01$3,111.79$210.23RVU24C
2024-04-01$3,111.79$210.23RVU24B
2024-03-09$3,111.79$210.23RVU24AR
2024-01-01$3,061.00$206.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$3,243.64$215.39RVU23D
2023-07-01$3,243.64$215.39RVU23C
2023-04-01$3,243.64$215.39RVU23B
2023-01-01$3,243.64$215.39RVU23A
2022-10-01$3,390.18$219.50RVU22D
2022-07-01$3,390.18$219.50RVU22C
2022-04-01$3,390.18$219.50RVU22B
2022-01-01$3,390.18$219.50RVU22A
2021-10-01$3,882.79$221.68RVU21D
2021-07-01$3,882.79$221.68RVU21C
2021-04-01$3,882.79$221.68RVU21B
2021-01-01$3,882.79$221.68RVU21A
2020-10-01$4,057.81$227.89RVU20D
2020-07-01$4,057.81$227.89RVU20C
2020-04-01$4,057.81$227.89RVU20B
2020-01-01$4,057.81$227.89RVU20A
2019-10-01$4,357.45$227.91RVU19D
2019-07-01$4,357.45$227.91RVU19C
2019-04-01$4,357.45$227.91RVU19B
2019-01-01$4,357.45$227.91RVU19A
2018-10-01$4,719.89$228.73RVU18D
2018-07-01$4,719.89$228.73RVU18C
2018-04-01$4,719.89$228.73RVU18B
2018-01-01$4,719.89$228.73RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$4,763.42$231.56RVU17D
2017-07-01$4,763.42$231.56RVU17C
2017-04-01$4,763.42$231.56RVU17B
2017-01-01$4,763.42$231.56RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 22515 for an earlier date of service

Where the El Centro, CA rate applies

El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • El Centro
  • Bombay Beach
  • Brawley
  • Calexico
  • Calipatria
  • Desert Shores
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
  • Heber

Browse all communities in California

22515 billing questions

Which primary code is reported with 22515?

Pair it with 22513 when the initial treated body is thoracic or 22514 when it is lumbar. Code 22515 represents each additional thoracic or lumbar body treated.

How many units should be reported?

Report one unit for each additional vertebral body treated beyond the initial body. The documentation should identify the individual levels treated.

How is 22515 different from 22512?

22515 adds a body treated with mechanical vertebral augmentation, such as kyphoplasty. 22512 is the add-on for additional vertebral bodies treated with vertebroplasty.

Can 22515 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with an eligible primary procedure, such as 22513 or 22514.

Is imaging guidance separately reported with 22515?

Imaging guidance associated with the vertebral augmentation is included in the service. 22515 reports an additional treated body, not a separate imaging service.

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
RVUs for 22515PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,076 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El Centro, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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