FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

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

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 Vermont, Medicare pays $2,936.44 for 22515 in the office and $175.69 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$2,936.44Office (non-facility)
$175.69Hospital or facility
−1.4%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 Vermont
  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 Vermont 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. Vermont pays $2,936.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

22515 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$2,936.44
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$3,490.42+$553.98
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$3,489.85+$553.41
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$3,133.70+$197.26
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$3,026.88+$90.44
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$3,458.50+$522.06
  7. Alaska · Alaska$3,214.34+$277.90

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

Every other payment area

22515 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$2,613.61$173.55
ArkansasArkansas$2,567.13$171.68
ArizonaArizona$2,886.44$184.25
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$3,240.67$184.32
Chico, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
El Centro, CACalifornia$3,238.61$182.26
Fresno, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13
Hanford, CACalifornia$3,238.48$182.13

22515 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

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 Vermont 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

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 22515 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.90× 1.0003.9000
Practice expense84.46× 0.99083.6154
Malpractice0.79× 0.5060.3997
Total RVUs87.9151
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$2936.44

Office: (3.9 × 1 + 84.46 × 0.99 + 0.79 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $2936.44

Facility: (3.9 × 1 + 0.97 × 0.99 + 0.79 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $175.69

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.

Codes related to 22515

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 22515
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Vermont
Primary code
22513Vertebral augmentation, thoracic, initial vertebral bodyPrimary code for the initial thoracic vertebral augmentation level.$5,720.49
22514Vertebral augmentation, lumbar, one vertebral bodyPrimary code for the initial lumbar vertebral augmentation level.$5,727.01
Used instead
22512Vertebroplasty, each additional vertebral bodyAdd-on for additional vertebral bodies treated with vertebroplasty.$722.09
22510Vertebroplasty, cervicothoracic vertebral bodyInitial-body vertebroplasty code for the cervicothoracic region.$1,729.42
22511Vertebroplasty, lumbosacral, one vertebral bodyInitial-body vertebroplasty code for the lumbosacral region.$1,741.27

How 22515 has changed in Vermont

22515 · Office / nonfacility

$2936.44

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $309.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $2626.64 to $2936.44 (11.8%).

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

    $2626.64changed to$2936.44

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $2837.58changed to$2626.64

    • 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

    $2791.27changed to$2837.58

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $3004.63changed to$2791.27

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $3190.89changed to$3004.63

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $3654.05changed to$3190.89

    • 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

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $3828.08changed to$3654.05

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $4124.87changed to$3828.08

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $4467.48changed to$4124.87

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 117.86 changed to 108.36

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $4466.76changed to$4467.48

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $4525.96changed to$4466.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 121.35 changed to 118.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.84 changed to 0.82
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $4531.60changed to$4525.96

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 121.04 changed to 121.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.86 changed to 0.84

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $4509.05changed to$4531.60

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    No ratechanged to$4509.05

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. 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$2,936.44$175.69RVU26D
2026-07-01$2,936.44$175.69RVU26C
2026-04-01$2,936.44$175.69RVU26B
2026-01-01$2,936.44$175.69RVU26A
2025-10-01$2,626.64$196.75RVU25D
2025-07-01$2,626.64$196.75RVU25C
2025-04-01$2,626.64$196.75RVU25B
2025-01-01$2,626.64$196.75RVU25A
2024-10-01$2,837.58$201.48RVU24D
2024-07-01$2,837.58$201.48RVU24C
2024-04-01$2,837.58$201.48RVU24B
2024-03-09$2,837.58$201.48RVU24AR
2024-01-01$2,791.27$198.20RVU24A
2023-10-01$3,004.63$206.51RVU23D
2023-07-01$3,004.63$206.51RVU23C
2023-04-01$3,004.63$206.51RVU23B
2023-01-01$3,004.63$206.51RVU23A
2022-10-01$3,190.89$210.74RVU22D
2022-07-01$3,190.89$210.74RVU22C
2022-04-01$3,190.89$210.74RVU22B
2022-01-01$3,190.89$210.74RVU22A
2021-10-01$3,654.05$212.94RVU21D
2021-07-01$3,654.05$212.94RVU21C
2021-04-01$3,654.05$212.94RVU21B
2021-01-01$3,654.05$212.94RVU21A
2020-10-01$3,828.08$220.08RVU20D
2020-07-01$3,828.08$220.08RVU20C
2020-04-01$3,828.08$220.08RVU20B
2020-01-01$3,828.08$220.08RVU20A
2019-10-01$4,124.87$222.18RVU19D
2019-07-01$4,124.87$222.18RVU19C
2019-04-01$4,124.87$222.18RVU19B
2019-01-01$4,124.87$222.18RVU19A
2018-10-01$4,467.48$223.04RVU18D
2018-07-01$4,467.48$223.04RVU18C
2018-04-01$4,467.48$223.04RVU18B
2018-01-01$4,467.48$223.04RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$4,466.76$224.71RVU17D
2017-07-01$4,466.76$224.71RVU17C
2017-04-01$4,466.76$224.71RVU17B
2017-01-01$4,466.76$224.71RVU17A
2016-10-01$4,525.96$226.64RVU16D
2016-07-01$4,525.96$226.64RVU16C
2016-04-01$4,525.96$226.64RVU16B
2016-01-01$4,525.96$226.64RVU16A
2015-10-01$4,531.60$227.94RVU15D
2015-07-01$4,531.60$227.94RVU15C
2015-04-01$4,509.05$226.81RVU15B
2015-01-01$4,509.05$226.81RVU15A
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 Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

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 VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 22515 pays in Vermont?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 22515 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist