CPT code 22633: Lumbar fusion, combined techniques, one level2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,700.11 for 22633 nationally in a facility.

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

What 22633 covers

This code represents fusion at one lumbar interspace using both an interbody approach from the back and posterolateral fusion. The surgeon prepares the disc space and places material intended to promote fusion between the vertebrae, while also fusing the posterior-lateral elements. It is generally performed by a spine surgeon in a hospital or other operative facility for conditions such as degenerative disease or instability requiring fusion.

Report it only when both fusion techniques are performed at the same lumbar interspace; a single technique calls for a different code. The operative report should identify the treated level and document the interbody and posterolateral work. For another interspace treated with both techniques, 22634 is the add-on code. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment and co-surgeons are permitted; team surgery is not. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.

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.

Where 22633 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

22633 rates by state

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

How the 22633 rate is calculated

Each of 22633’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 22633

22633 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

22633 compared with similar codes

How to choose

22612Spinal fusionPosterior lumbar, single level

22612 represents posterolateral lumbar fusion alone. Choose 22633 when the surgeon also performs posterior interbody fusion at that same interspace.

22630Lumbar fusionSingle lumbar interspace

22630 represents posterior interbody lumbar fusion alone. Choose 22633 when posterolateral fusion is also performed at the same interspace.

22634Lumbar fusionEach additional interspace

22634 is an add-on for an additional interspace treated with both techniques; 22633 represents the primary interspace.

22632Lumbar fusionEach additional interspace

22632 adds another interspace to a posterior interbody-only fusion reported with 22630. It does not represent an additional level fused with both techniques.

Codes related to 22633

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates