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CPT code 62270: Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Chicago, IL

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 Chicago, IL, Medicare pays $178.40 for 62270 in the office and $71.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$178.40Office (non-facility)
$71.65Hospital or facility
+8.1%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 Chicago, IL
  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 Chicago, IL 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. Chicago, IL pays $178.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62270 in Chicago, IL vs other payment areas
  1. Chicago, IL · this page$178.40
  2. East St. Louis, IL · Illinois$165.58−$12.82
  3. Rest of Illinois · Illinois$160.40−$18.00
  4. Suburban Chicago, IL · Illinois$175.88−$2.52
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$184.52+$6.12
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$188.81+$10.41
  7. Miami, FL · Florida$184.55+$6.15

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

Every other payment area

62270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Manhattan, NYNew York$191.94$68.52
AlaskaAlaska$188.04$74.92
AlabamaAlabama$146.35$53.41
ArkansasArkansas$144.01$52.77
ArizonaArizona$160.02$57.10
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$173.06$56.65
Chico, CACalifornia$172.28$55.86
El Centro, CACalifornia$172.32$55.91

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 Chicago, IL 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

48

Locality
Chicago, IL
Physician work
1.007
Practice expense
1.005
Malpractice
2.295
Office calculation for 62270 in Chicago, IL
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0071.1983
Practice expense3.46× 1.0053.4773
Malpractice0.29× 2.2950.6655
Total RVUs5.3412
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chicago, IL$178.40

Office: (1.19 × 1.007 + 3.46 × 1.005 + 0.29 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $178.40

Facility: (1.19 × 1.007 + 0.28 × 1.005 + 0.29 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $71.65

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, Chicago, IL
Used instead
62328Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, with imagingDiagnostic lumbar puncture performed with fluoroscopic or CT guidance.$224.38
62272Therapeutic lumbar puncture, CSF drainageLumbar puncture for therapeutic cerebrospinal fluid drainage rather than diagnostic evaluation.$238.21
62284Myelogram injection, spinal, excluding C1-C2Lumbar injection for myelography or CT cisternography rather than diagnostic fluid collection.$187.93

How 62270 has changed in Chicago, IL

62270 · Office / nonfacility

$178.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $25.08 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $153.32 to $178.40 (16.4%).

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

    $153.32changed to$178.40

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.018 changed to 2.295

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $157.79changed to$153.32

    • 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

    $155.21changed to$157.79

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $145.44changed to$155.21

    • 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 1.009 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.945 changed to 2.018

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $140.54changed to$145.44

    • 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 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.871 changed to 1.945

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $144.55changed to$140.54

    • 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

    $152.50changed to$144.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.50
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.898 changed to 1.871

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $161.75changed to$152.50

    • 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 1.008 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.925 changed to 1.898

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $172.69changed to$161.75

    • 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

    $172.89changed to$172.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.972 changed to 1.925

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $174.22changed to$172.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.95
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.019 changed to 1.972

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $176.30changed to$174.22

    • 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

    $175.42changed to$176.30

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $176.30changed to$175.42

    • 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 1.023 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.037
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.048 changed to 2.019

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $179.05changed to$176.30

    • 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 1.030 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.077 changed to 2.048

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$179.05

  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$178.40$71.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$178.40$71.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$178.40$71.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$178.40$71.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$153.32$72.24RVU25D
2025-07-01$153.32$72.24RVU25C
2025-04-01$153.32$72.24RVU25B
2025-01-01$153.32$72.24RVU25A
2024-10-01$157.79$72.99RVU24D
2024-07-01$157.79$72.99RVU24C
2024-04-01$157.79$72.99RVU24B
2024-03-09$157.79$72.99RVU24AR
2024-01-01$155.21$71.80RVU24A
2023-10-01$145.44$71.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$145.44$71.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$145.44$71.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$145.44$71.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$140.54$70.09RVU22D
2022-07-01$140.54$70.09RVU22C
2022-04-01$140.54$70.09RVU22B
2022-01-01$140.54$70.09RVU22A
2021-10-01$144.55$68.42RVU21D
2021-07-01$144.55$68.42RVU21C
2021-04-01$144.55$68.42RVU21B
2021-01-01$144.55$68.42RVU21A
2020-10-01$152.50$70.76RVU20D
2020-07-01$152.50$70.76RVU20C
2020-04-01$152.50$70.76RVU20B
2020-01-01$152.50$70.76RVU20A
2019-10-01$161.75$87.60RVU19D
2019-07-01$161.75$87.60RVU19C
2019-04-01$161.75$87.60RVU19B
2019-01-01$161.75$87.60RVU19A
2018-10-01$172.69$88.57RVU18D
2018-07-01$172.69$88.57RVU18C
2018-04-01$172.69$88.57RVU18B
2018-01-01$172.69$88.57RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$172.89$88.86RVU17D
2017-07-01$172.89$88.86RVU17C
2017-04-01$172.89$88.86RVU17B
2017-01-01$172.89$88.86RVU17A
2016-10-01$174.22$89.19RVU16D
2016-07-01$174.22$89.19RVU16C
2016-04-01$174.22$89.19RVU16B
2016-01-01$174.22$89.19RVU16A
2015-10-01$176.30$90.96RVU15D
2015-07-01$176.30$90.96RVU15C
2015-04-01$175.42$90.51RVU15B
2015-01-01$175.42$90.51RVU15A
2014-10-01$176.30$91.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$176.30$91.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$176.30$91.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$176.30$91.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$179.05$90.01RVU13D
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 Chicago, IL rate applies

Chicago, IL is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 137 cities and communities in Illinois. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Illinois

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 Chicago, ILGPCI2026.csv, line 48 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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