CPT code 61867: Neuroelectrode placement, subcortical, with microelectrode recording2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maryland
Reports unilateral stereotactic placement of a subcortical neurostimulator electrode using intraoperative microelectrode recording to guide deep brain stimulation targeting.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 61867 in Maryland.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 61867 covers
A neurosurgeon places a neurostimulator electrode into a subcortical target through twist-drill or burr-hole access, using intraoperative microelectrode recording to help identify the intended target. The procedure is used for deep brain stimulation, including treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson disease, essential tremor, or dystonia. It is generally performed in a hospital operating room with stereotactic guidance.
Report this code for the unilateral electrode placement when intraoperative microelectrode recording is used; use 61863 when it is not. The additional-array code 61868 applies to each additional array. Document the target, side, approach, electrode array count, and use of recording. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care. For bilateral work, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. An assistant may be paid; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.
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 61867 pays more and less in Maryland
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area, MD | Unavailable | $2,380.73 |
| Rest of Maryland | Unavailable | $2,188.09 |
| Washington, DC area | Unavailable | $2,436.32 |
How the 61867 rate is calculated
Each of 61867’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 · 61867
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work32.20
32.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense20.26
20.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice13.60
13.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
66.0600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$2,206.46
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 61867
61867 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 61867
Neuroelectrode placement, subcortical, with microelectrode recording
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.11/0.76/0.13 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 61867
Neuroelectrode placement, subcortical, with microelectrode recording
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
61867 without 50 · national facility
$2,206.46
Neuroelectrode placement, subcortical, with microelectrode recording
61867-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$3,309.69
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
61867 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 61863Brain electrode placementSubcortical, without microelectrode recording
- Use 61867 for subcortical placement with intraoperative microelectrode recording. Use 61863 for the corresponding placement without recording.
- 61868DBS electrodeAdditional array with microelectrode recording
- 61867 reports the primary unilateral subcortical electrode placement with recording; 61868 reports each additional array.
- 61850Cortical electrode implantBurr-hole approach, no stereotaxy
- 61850 is for cortical electrode placement. 61867 is for a subcortical target with intraoperative microelectrode recording.
- 61860Cortical electrodesCraniotomy or craniectomy
- 61860 describes cortical electrode placement through craniotomy or craniectomy; 61867 uses twist-drill or burr-hole access for a subcortical target.
61867 billing questions
How does 61867 differ from 61863?
Both describe unilateral subcortical electrode placement through twist-drill or burr-hole access. Choose 61867 when intraoperative microelectrode recording is used; choose 61863 when it is not.
Can 61863 and 61867 be reported for the same electrode?
No. Select the code that matches whether microelectrode recording was used for that placement.
How are additional electrode arrays reported?
Report 61868 for each additional array in the applicable subcortical placement session.
How should bilateral placement be reported?
Report bilateral work with modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
What documentation supports 61867?
Document the subcortical target, laterality, electrode array count, burr-hole or twist-drill approach, and use of intraoperative microelectrode recording.
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
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