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CPT code 62270: Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Reports a diagnostic lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid or measure pressure during evaluation of neurologic or infectious conditions.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality21.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $184.52 for 62270 in the office and $58.87 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$184.52Office (non-facility)
$58.87Hospital or facility
+11.8%vs the national office rate ($165.00)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 62270 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 62270 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 62270 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 62270 covers

A clinician places a needle into the lumbar subarachnoid space to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for testing or to measure cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Neurologists, emergency physicians, hospitalists, and other qualified practitioners commonly perform the procedure in an office, emergency department, or hospital. Typical indications include evaluation for meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, inflammatory disease, or disorders involving raised intracranial pressure.

Choose this code for a diagnostic lumbar puncture without fluoroscopic or CT guidance. Use the documented reason for the procedure, lumbar access, and diagnostic purpose to support the claim; fluid tubes or laboratory tests do not represent additional punctures. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies its standard reduction to the others. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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.

How Los Angeles, CA compares for 62270

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 62270 runs from $144.01 in Arkansas to $215.96 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $184.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62270 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$184.52
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$173.06−$11.46
  3. Chico, CA · California$172.28−$12.24
  4. El Centro, CA · California$172.32−$12.20
  5. Fresno, CA · California$172.28−$12.24
  6. Hanford, CA · California$172.28−$12.24
  7. Madera, CA · California$172.28−$12.24

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

Every other payment area

62270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
Modesto, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
Napa, CACalifornia$199.49$59.50
Oxnard, CACalifornia$183.49$57.95
Redding, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$172.28$55.86
Riverside, CACalifornia$175.39$58.97
Sacramento, CACalifornia$180.77$57.25

62270 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.

$144.01

$194.12

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

View every state and territory as a table
62270 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$188.041
AL$146.351
AR$144.011
AZ$160.021
CA$172.28–$215.9629
CO$170.751
CT$176.731
DC$188.811
DE$162.831
FL$164.79–$184.553
GA$154.38–$168.922
GU$176.761
HI$176.761
IA$149.341
ID$150.651
IL$160.40–$178.404
IN$151.591
KS$149.101
KY$151.351
LA$151.30–$159.502
MA$169.80–$187.982
MD$165.99–$188.813
ME$152.09–$160.392
MI$156.20–$167.602
MN$161.531
MO$148.80–$159.473
MS$146.411
MT$164.981
NC$153.761
ND$159.251
NE$150.081
NH$168.531
NJ$178.16–$186.652
NM$157.361
NV$163.501
NY$156.35–$197.695
OH$155.021
OK$150.471
OR$161.66–$175.982
PA$154.99–$172.322
PR$166.131
RI$168.521
SC$154.761
SD$158.571
TN$150.001
TX$153.91–$170.688
UT$157.081
VA$160.19–$188.812
VI$166.131
VT$159.061
WA$169.33–$191.452
WI$153.441
WV$154.041
WY$162.481

See 62270 in every payment locality

How the 62270 rate is calculated

Each of 62270’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 · 62270

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.46

3.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$165.00

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,948

Code
62270
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.46
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 62270 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0411.2388
Practice expense3.46× 1.1834.0932
Malpractice0.29× 0.6640.1926
Total RVUs5.5245
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$184.52

Office: (1.19 × 1.041 + 3.46 × 1.183 + 0.29 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $184.52

Facility: (1.19 × 1.041 + 0.28 × 1.183 + 0.29 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $58.87

Open 62270 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 62270

The CMS indicators that decide how 62270 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 62270

Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

62270 without 51 · national office

$165.00

Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance

62270-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$82.50

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 62270

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

Codes related to 62270
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Used instead
62328Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, with imagingDiagnostic lumbar puncture performed with fluoroscopic or CT guidance.$243.72
62272Therapeutic lumbar puncture, CSF drainageLumbar puncture for therapeutic cerebrospinal fluid drainage rather than diagnostic evaluation.$240.99
62284Myelogram injection, spinal, excluding C1-C2Lumbar injection for myelography or CT cisternography rather than diagnostic fluid collection.$203.09

How 62270 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

62270 · Office / nonfacility

$184.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $25.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $158.60 to $184.52 (16.3%).

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

    $158.60changed to$184.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 3.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $163.78changed to$158.60

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $161.11changed to$163.78

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $150.44changed to$161.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.53 changed to 2.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $145.04changed to$150.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $151.34changed to$145.04

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.50 changed to 2.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.20

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $160.21changed to$151.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.50
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $169.40changed to$160.21

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 1.37 changed to 1.22
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $181.33changed to$169.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.95 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $180.70changed to$181.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $181.41changed to$180.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $182.72changed to$181.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.19

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $181.81changed to$182.72

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $179.21changed to$181.81

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $179.35changed to$179.21

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 2.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$179.35

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$184.52$58.87RVU26D
2026-07-01$184.52$58.87RVU26C
2026-04-01$184.52$58.87RVU26B
2026-01-01$184.52$58.87RVU26A
2025-10-01$158.60$63.98RVU25D
2025-07-01$158.60$63.98RVU25C
2025-04-01$158.60$63.98RVU25B
2025-01-01$158.60$63.98RVU25A
2024-10-01$163.78$64.81RVU24D
2024-07-01$163.78$64.81RVU24C
2024-04-01$163.78$64.81RVU24B
2024-03-09$163.78$64.81RVU24AR
2024-01-01$161.11$63.76RVU24A
2023-10-01$150.44$65.31RVU23D
2023-07-01$150.44$65.31RVU23C
2023-04-01$150.44$65.31RVU23B
2023-01-01$150.44$65.31RVU23A
2022-10-01$145.04$65.75RVU22D
2022-07-01$145.04$65.75RVU22C
2022-04-01$145.04$65.75RVU22B
2022-01-01$145.04$65.75RVU22A
2021-10-01$151.34$65.65RVU21D
2021-07-01$151.34$65.65RVU21C
2021-04-01$151.34$65.65RVU21B
2021-01-01$151.34$65.65RVU21A
2020-10-01$160.21$67.69RVU20D
2020-07-01$160.21$67.69RVU20C
2020-04-01$160.21$67.69RVU20B
2020-01-01$160.21$67.69RVU20A
2019-10-01$169.40$84.99RVU19D
2019-07-01$169.40$84.99RVU19C
2019-04-01$169.40$84.99RVU19B
2019-01-01$169.40$84.99RVU19A
2018-10-01$181.33$85.57RVU18D
2018-07-01$181.33$85.57RVU18C
2018-04-01$181.33$85.57RVU18B
2018-01-01$181.33$85.57RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$180.70$85.89RVU17D
2017-07-01$180.70$85.89RVU17C
2017-04-01$180.70$85.89RVU17B
2017-01-01$180.70$85.89RVU17A
2016-10-01$181.41$86.22RVU16D
2016-07-01$181.41$86.22RVU16C
2016-04-01$181.41$86.22RVU16B
2016-01-01$181.41$86.22RVU16A
2015-10-01$182.72$87.18RVU15D
2015-07-01$182.72$87.18RVU15C
2015-04-01$181.81$86.75RVU15B
2015-01-01$181.81$86.75RVU15A
2014-10-01$179.21$85.45RVU14D
2014-07-01$179.21$85.45RVU14C
2014-04-01$179.21$85.45RVU14B
2014-01-01$179.21$85.45RVU14A
2013-10-01$179.35$81.58RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 62270 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

62270 billing questions

How does this differ from code 62328?

Use 62270 for a diagnostic lumbar puncture without fluoroscopic or CT guidance. Code 62328 is for a diagnostic lumbar puncture performed with fluoroscopic or CT guidance.

When should 62272 be reported instead?

Use 62272 when the purpose is therapeutic drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Code 62270 represents a diagnostic puncture, such as obtaining fluid for evaluation or measuring pressure.

Can each cerebrospinal fluid tube be billed as a separate unit?

No. Multiple collection tubes from one lumbar puncture do not represent multiple punctures. Report laboratory testing separately when those tests are performed.

Should modifier 50 be used for bilateral lumbar punctures?

No. Medicare's bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

How does Medicare handle this with another procedure in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces payment for the other procedures. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code's 0-day global period.

What documentation supports reporting 62270?

Document the diagnostic indication, lumbar access, and the procedure performed, including fluid collection or pressure measurement when applicable. The record should distinguish diagnostic evaluation from therapeutic drainage.

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 62270PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,948 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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